so I Got an Offer at a Studio...

[Equal-Opp_Tyler]

basically, i asked a local studio if they were offering any apprentice positions. he said no but he is looking for people to help promote the studio, run the myspace as well as clean up in the studio and paint and stuff. he said its a no-pay job but i will get to build relationships with the people there and learn how some equipment works and hang at the studio often. im quite a while away (30 min) so it would be a commute. i am wondering if it would be good idea to take the job?
thanks

 

[gecko zzed]

My initial reaction was not favourable. Running myspace, promoting the studio, painting and cleaning? None of these tasks are trivial, and should be integrated into a studio's operation. If you were only a couple of blocks away, it might be worth the stroll, but an hour of travelling each day?

I have a young lad who lives not far away, and every now and again he pops in to give a hand, and every now and again I've called upon him to be an offsider when live mixing. But when this happens, he gets to do the stuff that he is here for, that he is interested in, i.e. running the desk and working with sound.

I can't see much benefit in someone who is interested in sound to be asked to paint the wall.

 

[Equal-Opp_Tyler]

im not sure where to start to get into this field. cuz i feel its something i want to do as a career. i figured if i hang around and help, i will eventually e able to learn other stuff

 

[WhiteStrat]

My initial reaction was not favourable. Running myspace, promoting the studio, painting and cleaning? None of these tasks are trivial, and should be integrated into a studio's operation. If you were only a couple of blocks away, it might be worth the stroll, but an hour of travelling each day?

I have a young lad who lives not far away, and every now and again he pops in to give a hand, and every now and again I've called upon him to be an offsider when live mixing. But when this happens, he gets to do the stuff that he is here for, that he is interested in, i.e. running the desk and working with sound.

I can't see much benefit in someone who is interested in sound to be asked to paint the wall.

I agree, but I'd also consider the alternative. If turning it down means you'll spend that time playing video games or watching TV, then you have nothing to lose by taking it. And maybe something to gain by the connections you could make.

He may just be wanting to use you--you'd have to be aware of that possibility and keep looking for a better opportunity. But if you don't have a better opportunity--or a better use of that time--it might be worth exploring.

(For what it's worth, about a zillion years ago--okay in the early nineties--I went from $30,000 a year to $5.00 an hour with no guarantee of hours, to get out of a line of work I hated and into--or at least close to--one I liked. I made the connections that paved the way for a "real" job, doing something I loved. 15 years later and it's still paying the bills! )

 

[pandamonk]

basically, i asked a local studio if they were offering any apprentice positions. he said no but he is looking for people to help promote the studio, run the myspace as well as clean up in the studio and paint and stuff. he said its a no-pay job but i will get to build relationships with the people there and learn how some equipment works and hang at the studio often. im quite a while away (30 min) so it would be a commute. i am wondering if it would be good idea to take the job?
thanks

If it's a decent place then it's a great opportunity. A foot in the door is the best way to get into many jobs, including studio work.

You might be asked to do this trivial work, but in your break or whatever, you could sit in on a recording session. He might even let you go play around with mic placement etc. while he looks for the sound he wants.

Go for it! Just make sure you get the most out of each day that you can. Go when the place opens and leave when it closes. Show enthusiasm and offer help in any way possible. Talk to people and build contacts.

 

[Waffleness]

Take the offer.

Create a myspace profile for yourself, and make yourself the studios no1 friend.
Write your initials in extra layers paint into the walls to subliminally get them to hire you.

Generally act like their bitch until they trust you with moving mic's around, then you are sorted.

 

[johnnymegabyte]

this is a scam. you work for free, so THEY don't have to pay you.
this is a very common trap to get you svckered into doing free work.
Unless you are an intern for college or university, and you need this experience for a credit ... don't do it.
what next ? discount recording time ? you pay them to work there ?

 

[mikeh]

Thru-out time, people have worked in recording studios for little or nothing simply for the chance to learn and network.

As Whitestrat suggests, if the time you would spend in the studio would not be put to productive effort.....you may have little to lose (other than some time and sweat equity) and possibly something to gain.

It is possible this guy simply wants to use you and you will never learn anythime about recording......but you never know.

Some possible questions to ask your self (and maybe ask the guy)

1. Is he a good enough engineer that given an opportunity - you could learn something?

2. What level equipment does he have? As an extreme example - if he if recording to 4 track casette with a Behringer mixer and the real world is digital, Pro Tools - then any hands on you could get would have limited value

3. How realistic it the chance that he will let you hang in the studio and at some point assist? This is something you should ask him. If he says there will likely be times you can hang, learn, touch......maybe it's worth it. If he says there is no way he's gonna let you get your dirty, paint stained hands on his board....well then your decision gets easier.

4. If you do decide to give it a try, set a limited amount of time. Within that time, if you feel you've met your end of the deal (providing quality work effort) and he has not met his side of the deal (providing you a chance to learn)....you can always decide to cut your losses.

 

[Equal-Opp_Tyler]

i dont have a job right now so i really dont do anything with my time besides play my bass and im writing a book. i plan on getting a job when i get back from new years vacation(i didnt want to be seasonal or have to ask for a week off during my first month). the guy seems really cool but there is the risk of getting used and not learning anything. they have pretty serious equipment and are legit. im not sure if this against the rules but heres the myspace link

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=21252196

 

[Equal-Opp_Tyler]

so i just realized that the new location is about an hour and 20 min away i would be willing to relocate if it were a more hands-on equipment apprentice type thing. but the gas money for that to go and be a bitch without any promise or really learning anything doesnt seem worth it. dang that sucks haha. i really want to get into this whole recording thing. i will find a way

 

[stealth_prod]

Dont get down about it. I took one of these opportunities a while back and there was a upside and a down side. He was honest with me from up front and told me I would be doing those types of things and I would be able to sit in on some sessions. I did this about 4 days out of the week for about 5 hours while trying to maintain a full time job and a girl(probably the tougher of the two). I did get to sit in on some sessions and even helped mic an entire band. I got to run lighting at a live show (this was a side business for the guy). But then it started getting a little rough to keep up with everything. Doing more grunt work and less time in the studio.

Id say if your really wanting to break into the studio life you should be prepared for these types of offers. I understand the distance is a big factor and studios unfortunately are not like liquor stores at every other corner but you will find an opportunity out there. Keep your head up and stay focused.