Experience

[Old Man Rivers]

I just got out of college with a radio degree and was lucky enough to get a part-time radio job. Eventually I would like to get into imaging or commercial production. I consider myself a Cool Edit expert and an extremely creative copywriter. I have been doing a few commercials freelance but they are few and far between. I have seen a few imaging jobs on TAB lately but they are all wanting 3 yrs of experience or so. How does one go about gaining this experience?

 

[SmokeRing]

If you or a friend can create a web site, then do it. Then post examples of your commercial and imaging production to date.

Get in touch with PD's and let them know they can hear your stuff on your web site.

If you're short on cash, there are free web space providers and free podcast hosters. Use a podcast hoster to host your mp3 files. And use the web space provider for your site.

Good luck!

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

Smoke ring is correct. The other is get a PD,APD to critique your stuff. Don't ask for a gig,ask for a critique,Chances are those can get your name noticed,your skills, and you are offered a gig. Above all be patient, and keep refining what you can do.

 

[Robert Bass]

Also, don't expect to land in a major market right away. Look at some of the smaller market stations for a bit more potential.

The pay will probably suck once you break into the business, but if you really enjoy the work, you'll find ways to make ends meet while you continue to improve your skills for the big time.

Best wishes!

R

 

[little1]

Imaging jobs are generally few and far between, and are very much being in the right place at the right time with the right tape.

That said, take a job if you can find it in commercial production- it shows your copywriting skills and production talents both- both of which translate to imaging work...

 

[Bill Cherry]

I think KPLX gave you the best advice. If I were you, I'd follow that to a tee...in the meantime, I'd get myself a REAL job. Unfortunately, broadcasting degrees aren't worth much more than a GED from Muleshoe High.

 

[VERITAS DE VOCE]

HEY! I gruduited from thar. My boss tole' me that with enuff hard work, I can move to fries. ;D

But seriously folks, from a marketing perspective, when you do create that Web site, make sure to add content on the home page, not just links and pictures. You need to embrace "Search Engine Optimization". Once viral marketing about your company is created, people will look for you online. If they can't find your site through Google, you are torched. Content and proper copy is a link between just slick advertising and making an impact for your business.

PLEX is dead on with the critique. There is nothing more these blowhards...er...PDs love than to offer there skilled advice. Some of them are really sage counselors. Find them and do what they say, as long as it doesn't ruin the brand you are building.

 

[Robert Bass]

Oh damn.... Does this mean my high school diploma is meaningless? :'(

R

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

depends.. how many more years until you get one?

 

[Robert Bass]

depends.. how many more years until you get one?

Good point! ;D

R

 

[theshadow]

How does one go about gaining this experience?

Seriously, take and heed the advice of others who have replied with imaging advice.
It's very cutthroat with voice work and such in DFW. A few get the big piece of
the pie, while the overwhelming majority get the crumbs, or get to lick the pan.

Having access to equipment is good too. Working your way into a station,
and doing it on the side (using their studio - as long as it isn't on their dime),
can be very beneficial. Home studios can be as cheap or expensive as you're
willing to invest. The big boys and girls who have been doing this for years
have invested thousands in their equipment and home studios (a feat that
can be challenging and downright impossible for a person right out of college).

My advice?

If you love radio dearly (as I assume you do), go back and get some
undergraduate work/degree working in the medical or health management
field (I'm not kidding!).

This field always has job openings, and you'll have something to fall back
on if things go south with the radio career. NEVER get a journalism or
communications degree. Those are about as good as the toilet paper
you wipe yourself with.

 

[Coronaextra]

Go to a good station in a small market for peanuts and learn the business. You'll be amazed to discover what you really don't know. Watch the people who've been in this business for years and learn from them. Ask how they do things.

Read these books: Hey Whipple! Squeeze This!, Cutting Edge Advertising, and The Wizard of Ads. Read anything Day O'Day writes. Subscribe to RAP magazine and memorize it. Read "Wired" and "Mix."

Listen to the big agency reels at voicebank.net. Those people know voiceovers.

Get good plug-ins from Waves for Audition.

And finally, and I'll be extremely blunt here, I've been in radio production for 11 years, four of those in DFW. I'm a damn good copywriter with a wall full of awards. I own a successful freelance VO company. I image a station that's been nominated for Marconis and tons of other awards. I have a college degree and post-graduate work in media. I can make Audition do handstands; hovever, I'm still learning, and I don't consider myself an expert so lose that word. You'll go farther in radio without it.

 

[Coronaextra]

Oh, I forgot one very important thing. Allaccess.com is a great place to scout for jobs. Read the ads there, and you'll find gigs of just about every skill level available.

Good luck! It is a fun profession, and if you get a commercial production gig, don't let the sales people push you around too much.