Advice Corner (another potential weekly column)
April 16, 2008
Inspired by Mats’ post in the comments section earlier today, I’m thinking of blowing out another weekly bit where we use the collective knowledge of the entire group to try and help at least one person solve a problem that has been vexing them (that hopefully doesn’t require intervention by the HR department and/or the cops.)
Here is Mats’ question:
“I’m 2 years out of college and have been busting my ass for those 2 years trying to get into broadcast production at an ad agency in Chicago. I’ve got almost every internship in the book, but at the end of one at a pretty good agency, there seems to be no funds. I thought something was wrong with me, but I found the truth was that there really wasn’t any money to take me on. I would like to stay in Chicago and one day be a an assistant/associate producer here, but I’m about to throw in the towel and maybe go back to school. You guys got any advice?”
Now, we all (include myself) could probably come up with a 100 different ways of being a douchebag and answering with a sarcastic tone — but hell, let’s be different this time and actually try and help out those in need of some answers/advice.
I’m thinking that all the buzz than the Orzio/Energy BBDO post created — there would have to be more than a few Chicago-based people to help out and express a helpful opinion to offer some solid steps to take.
Just call it my “George Bailey-inspired” moment for the kids.
(ed note: I’m also up for a copywriter helping me to come up with a more inspired name for this bit — “Advice Corner” is lame, but I’m not feeling snappy today.)
April 16, 2008 at 5:30 pm
broadcast is dead as an on-staff position. learn interactive…
April 16, 2008 at 5:50 pm
my advice is dont use green type on a white background unless you want to give your readers a headache.
April 16, 2008 at 5:52 pm
maleroom:
You’re welcome — got forbid you get a headache — but I’m being nice and changed it for you anyway.
April 16, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I just wanted to say thanks for putting this up. I didn’t think I would get any attention. I should’ve been more specific and said I have hopes to be an integrated producer in Chicago. I’ve gotten involvded with everything from web and 3D animation to digital filmmaking, but it’s just be tough just to get a break even with my experience. I know it’s a rough time in the industry, but I would do anything just to take off once I get my foot in the door. Again, thanks for any kind of advice.
April 16, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Start investigating other cities if Chicago isn’t happening for you. Look at shops in less desirable areas such as Richmond, VA (The Martin Agency), Minneapolis, MN (Fallon), etc. Once you build your reel then head back to Chicago, if you so desire.
April 16, 2008 at 6:14 pm
@ondownlow:
you missed the opening quote, still green
April 16, 2008 at 6:17 pm
AD-vice.
(apparantly i’m in a punny mood.)
April 16, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Agencies can also be too busy to take on interns, especially in the broadcast area. My suggestion is to go the production route, there are some great production houses in Chicago, post, etc. pick the best ones and give them a call. Also connect with who you think the better directors and producers are in Chicago, and pick up the phone and call. Don’t always have to go the agency route to work on broadcast.
April 16, 2008 at 6:36 pm
ondownlow_ i think this a great addition to your corner of the blog universe. lately it seems the only sense of community existing on blogs is 100s of anonymous writers bashing and tearing down the subject (usually a person, often a former boss) of the entry.
Mats_ chicago is a tough city right now. a lot of clients are looking at smaller shops here and other competing agencies elsewhere in the nation. if you haven’t already, get in with as many agency recruiters as you can, and just stay on the top of their (continually growing) stack of resumés. also, if you don’t have a head-hunter looking for you… get one. there are a couple great ones in the city that know everyone. chicago is a big city with a really small creative community. everyone knows everyone else… and it is very much an insider’s game.
April 16, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Who said that Minneapolis is a less desirable location than Chicago?
April 16, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Check around at the larger design agencies in town. More and more of them are doing interactive projects that require skills (flash, final cut, even sound production) that are outside their realm. probably not full time work, but if you get a few of them as regular clients, you can start building a base. Traditional agencies are getting leaner all over (especially in Chi), but design firms tend to pass on costs like you to their client. good luck.
April 16, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I appreciate all the comments. To give you guys an idea of where I’ve come from, I’ve interned at post-houses and recording studios. It were these prior internships where I networked with producers and creatives. After sending casual emails to producers, one of them hooked me up with a great internship. After that was over, I did the casual email thing which led me “informational interviews” with almost every head of production in Chicago. Even though each meeting went great, nothing came of it. This was all early last year. I tried staying in touch, but it’s always been no go. I like the idea working with design agencies and might look into that. If only some agency won sume huge account and needed people. Well it’s really nice to see some people actually giving a crap about my situation and I thank everyone.
April 16, 2008 at 7:36 pm
another option is to approach agencies and design shops on a freelance basis. most of the producers i’ve worked with (the good ones especially) were contract. this may open up a bit more opportunity for you with the design shops that may not carry enough regular broadcast/web-vid work to warrant a staff producer.
April 16, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Hey Mats,
I’d also suggest you meet/keep in touch with as many people below the “Head of Production” level as you can. The head honchos are good to know for sure, but finding a new Jr. Producer is probably the last thing on their minds. (Though it is nice to hear they actually met with you, etc.) Still, people in the production community who are closer to your own level on the totem pole will probably be a better source for job info, who’s hiring, who needs people, etc. As you’ve already mentioned, the Head Honchos of the world usually only look for people after a big account win, and we all know those are few and far between in Chi right now. Hope this helps. Keep at it and don’t give up. You’ll get in somewhere, even if its just a stepping stone to where you really want to be.
April 16, 2008 at 8:09 pm
whine shop.
April 16, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Secondfig:
Apparently you missed the prologue to this entire topic — try not to be a dick about the trying to help out thing.
Help or don’t help by contributing or not contributing — but there is no point in being a dick about it on this particular one.
April 16, 2008 at 8:26 pm
talk to your boss.
say you want to stay, but if they can’t front a job you’ll need to shift. if that’s the case, i bet he/she has some connections in the biz and can hook you up. sorry to say, but that’s the only in. as a junior person, you have to go in on who you know, not on the work.
soon you’ll learn that most of the hiring in this biz comes from established relationships.
April 16, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Come to San Francisco. Send a resume and sample to Goodby. We brings in interns in creative and production all the time. Often it turns into a staff job. At this point in your carer you need to be willing to live anywhere.
April 16, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Sorry, “bring” not brings.
April 18, 2008 at 1:27 am
awww you guys cross the pond are so cute…i wish scampblog was like this