Hard times for starting in the industry

[Jean-Charles Myrand]

Hi there! Im now at a crucial point in my life were i have to give one last chance to my passion or change domain and go back to school to study 3 years what i also love alot, helping others and saving lives as a paramedic. I started doing camera ( with a broadcast camera ) at 15 for local hockey games and i loved it! The real love in a job was born. I never taut doing it for a living since ive been told repeatably by my dad that TV and movies was a shitty and stress full industry to work in and that is wasn't stable. I started having seizures due to energy drinks mixed with fatigue around 15, so my main dream to be a paramedic crashed into a wall since i couldn't have a drivers licence like all kids at 16 when they get their apprentice, probation and full licence. To enter the program, i needed a emergency class licence for entering the program. I couldn't, i got depress and finally listened to my parents who suggested to me to try respiratory therapist ( the right arm of the anaesthetist ). The job is important, but wasn't for me, so i went to see a councillor and he told me, my vocation was with cameras!

I did my diploma in Television Broadcasting in Ottawa, top of my class in camera work, operation and edit... When i graduated in 2009, the apocalApocalypselevision came to Montreal. CBC, where i did my intersinternship 800 employes including the director who was in charge of us, Global News Montreal whent from 130 to 22 employees, TQS (the second main French station in ALL of Quebec) closed down, clearing all employees witch they applyed right away to TVA (the main French station). So all the possible open jobs for ALL the new graduates were taken by older with 20 years experience broadcast technicians at the only station witch didnt didn't employees. TVA stoped hiring directly after since they were full now and the other opening were internal moves withing the employees.

Ive applyed and working on festivals as a stage cameraman.. I kept working the same boss on other events including a real special job witch was operating a 18k projector for a movie set for a TV show (Blue Mountain state). On that day, my eyes grew 200% when i started seeing all the gear coming in, F900 cameras with all the lens and accessories, on a Chapman Dolly with all the crew that goes with it. I was discovering the Cinema, far from shitty broadcast camera with nothing on them.


I started working as a production assistant, for 2 years but ive got fed up since i was only changing garbages, handing water bottles and moving SET chairs... Witch was far from handling an Alexa, Genesis, RED, Arriflex, etc.... I got tired and turned back to what was left of TV, doing little contracts here and there as cameraman, assistant-camera, puller, etc... I couldnt pay the bills with contracts like that, so i stayed home with my parents. I got a job as a news cameraman, but it was during the Student protests and the Provincial elections. Witch is now all gone, since the student stoped protesting and the elections are gone. Im now only doing replacement for the permanents cameramans who call sick once in a while. With Dome Productions in early 2012, i was aslo happy, working on sports events. But againt, KARMA hitted with the hockey lock-out. So with no news, no hockey, and no festivals in the winter time. Working as a camerman is hard in Montreal, especally when ur new from 2-3 years and that all the stable camera operators are ALL over 40 years old. Im 25 BTW...

I have a passion, i love capturing every aspect of life, i love watching documentaries from the BBC, Nationnal Geographic channel, Discovery Channel, History Television and pretty much all MAJOR movies like BATMAN, TRANSFORMERS and back in the days, JURRASIC PARK.

I belived that that well have equal chance, that since i live in Quebec, doesnt mean i cant work around the world for documentaries and movies. Operating awesome cameras like my favorites of all, the Alexa and the EPIC. I want to work and travel, seeing new landscapes and work with differents directors and technicians.

When i watch videos on the internet, i always watch Making of and behind the scenes and i just wish more than money to be able to work like these god who travel the planet to shoot for documentaries and movies. They manage to get their, and i want to be there too. More! way more that the freaking POWERBALL.

I want to know, from those who work in this amazing industry. Since im in Montreal right now, how can i work on these documentaries and movies that are shoot around the world, because on the making of, some of the operators and assistants are not that older than me. I know theirs not alot of movies going on during the winter time in Quebec, and that the canadian dollar is more expensive than the american dollar, witch makes american producers hesitate when choosing Montreal. But i still deserve my change and work with digital cinema cameras.
LIKE ALL OF YOU!


My favorite video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aZFcosBTaQ
The camera operator is the same age as me! id did research and contacted him, but guess what... Hes too busy :sneaky2:

 

[Jack Shanahan]

keep at it. Do what it takes to keep working. this industry requires tenacity and patience. I am by no means where I want to be - but I never say no to work and always find the value in the day I am in. Thats the goal. Not to live life 5 years ahead. In terms of practical advise -- make calls, make calls, make calls. Make finding work a full time job. Be as specific as you can with what you are and what you want (advice i need to take myself). You are young. I took PA work for over 5 years to keep my life afloat. This weekend I am ACing in DC because I told the producer I would take a cut rate to stay on the job after he said he couldnt afford to put me up. Think outside the box. Stay hungry.

 

[Joshua Reis]

Hi. I know of many other people who were or still are in the same boat as you. A lot of it is about skill and connections, but some of it is indeed luck. I started out as a camera assistant learning about lighting and working with cameras on set. I didn't go to film school. A couple of years after graduation, I had an opportunity to turn union as a 2nd AC on a feature, but I decided DPing was my real passion. So instead, I built my DP reel lighting viral projects and low budget music videos. At first the majority of the jobs were non paying, but my reel grew and new opportunities started to pop up. It was a huge challenge getting by so I know how you feel. While you work as a camera operator or ac, it might be worth picking up whatever camera and gear you have access to and film your own music videos or spec spots in-between jobs to build a reel? Collaborating with others and helping each other out is paramount. I know a handful of very successful DPs and directors and no one is really pleased with their career. We love what we do, but there is always a bigger budget or better project that we didn't get hired to lens. Its a numbers game. Nothing is ever enough in this industry. Its a super competitive, unforgiving, yet very rewarding profession. There is nothing else like it. I'm sure others will have many other differing perspectives to share. Best of luck.

 

[Alain Vo]

it's never easy being in this industry! Keep at it! stay gold!

 

[Jean-Charles Myrand]

Oh for sure, ive got to push my applications! Knock everywhere. But it is a reality here! in Montreal. During the winter, most technicians go on unemployment benefits each winter. But in the USA, all year long, theres a movie or a TV serie being shot. LA never stops filming, same for new york... Montreal in the 3rd biggest city in Canada, and yet, less and less movies are coming. The only movie that has been sign is Xmen. Just to give you an idea. The movie coming up in spring will employ about 300 technicians! But theres 2100 workers... IATSE514 (Everything execpt camera) has 1800 members and IATSE667 (Camera only) has 300 members. And most of the workers on that futur shoot of Xmen will be old farts like i call them. Never you will see on a A cam, B cam, a 25 yr camera operator on a 150 millions dollar film.
Thats what im trying to explain, i want to work, but here even the best are sipping their coffee waiting for the next production while they receive their unemployment benefit checks... Lakeshore productions boycoats Montreal and Quebec for about 10 years since theres only 1 company that owns all of the studios and rentals. When u come to Montreal, its not like Vancouver, New York or L.A., you only have one guy that bought all the competion, and that rents stuff for it settle price. And if the producer aint happy, theres no other choice. Theres only one guy called Michel Trudel that rents cinema studios and gears.

My main option is to leave Quebec, and to go work outside. I have a little cousin whos a camera operator in L.A. for movies like Star Trek and series like Mad Men, but he cant help me much.. I have a passport. And since the Obama years, the protectionnist is at its maximum, no american wants to hire any canadians. I would dream to be able to work all year long, it does happen, but in the USA...

I trully want to work, but i got no clue how to apply to work in the USA. Getting a job as a PA was easy here, you just needed to find a BASE CAMP, than you go knock on the UNIT manager's door, talk to him and sell yourself...

I cant see myself going to knock on doors of movie sets in LA... Police man will stop me even before i can approche the set. Here in quebec, anyone can go on movie set and peak. Witch i did to get work at first. BUT now, i need some1 to help me find work. I want to work bad, but i cant spend my money roaming the USA and Toronto looking for sets. Try saying that to the custom officer : What is the reason of your visit? "Im roaming the 50 states for work as a camera operator/ camera assistant" Hes gona call him officer buddies ASAP...

 

[Brendan Isaac]

Why not go to Vancouver?

 

[Harry Clark]

Brendan beat me to it.
Vancouver seems like a movie town. Last time I worked there, the crews were busy and the stages were humming along. Maybe check into that city's prospects? You are doing all the right things, but keep at it.
Why not take the traditional "apprentice" route that has served so many? Work as a data manager/ 2nd AC, then work up to 1st, camera operator, etc. You don't have to stick with it all the way through, but it's a great way to learn and make good money. Start as a "camera trainee" on features. Get someone to sponsor you into the IATSE. Don't just take PA work; get to know ACs and get on board with the camera department.
You could also think long and hard about what your dad said. It IS a shitty business at times. It DOES seem like it's going downhill to me. When I started it was a hidden-away world, perceived by outsiders as sort of a carny life. And it is, to some extent. But it's also wonderful, fun, creative, and can be comfortable and profitable even. But it was a smaller business in 1986, and easier (I think) to get a start. Not as many folks were vying to be a cinematographer. You bring up an important point with your description of watching the behind-the-scenes content. I think that now, lots of young people see the BTS and it looks like great fun and travel and hanging out with Hollywood actors. And being a cinematographer seems like it's in the middle of it all. It has kind of replaced the old "I want to be a rock star" for youth. And of course, anyone who grabs a 5D can make passable, even beautiful, images, so it seems like a fun, easy life.
Keep in mind what Hunter S. Thompson said: "the TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason"
I will also say that if you DO choose to change course and become an EMT, and save ONE LIFE as a result, you will have achieved more than 99.9999% of the folks in the film industry (me included, first and foremost) ever will.
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

Why not go to Vancouver?

Thats where the movies are being made.

 

[Liam Hall]

You need to widen your view of the industry. Knock on the doors of production companies that make commercials, music videos, television shows or corporates. Offer to make their coffee, carry their bags. Show them you are keen, willing and able. There's much more to this industry than working on Hollywood movies, indeed in many ways that sector is the least rewarding and most over-rated.

 

[Marc Wielage]

I will also say that if you DO choose to change course and become an EMT, and save ONE LIFE as a result, you will have achieved more than 99.9999% of the folks in the film industry (me included, first and foremost) ever will.

Sad but true.