I graduated from full sail last november and got my recording arts degree. I haven't gotten an internship yet because frankly I'm scared shitless about the stories I've been told about how interns get treated in this field.
On one hand you have the music studio route where I'm told you can work 48 hour shifts while being treated like a "studio bitch". Where am I gonna find time for my own hobbies? All work and no play makes me sad boy...No pay for first 3 months by the way...most of the time.
Then there's the post-production route where the hours are more like a day job, but you're confined to sit at a computer and edit audio all day on pro-tools. Also no pay for months.
The post-production is supposed to pay more(when you really do start to get paid for work)....but at the same time I went to this school because of my love for music.
You can see how one would be torn. Any suggestions?
Best thing to do with a recording arts degree?
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- KVRist
- 133 posts since 18 Jul, 2004 from Atlanta, GA USA
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- KVRAF
- 6113 posts since 7 Jan, 2005 from Corporate States of America
I know how you feel. This is exactly why I didn't persue a career in this area dispite really being interested in it. I would suggest that you look for a small studio that does not do big name business. They are more likely to care about their workers and interns. Interview them for suitability to you, not the other way around.
- dysamoria.com
my music @ SoundCloud
my music @ SoundCloud
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- KVRian
- 503 posts since 28 Mar, 2005 from Annapolis, MD
Gotta pay your dues as an intern. Even doctors with medical degrees get treated like shit during internships and residencies. You have to look at it as dues. You'll get through it.
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- KVRAF
- 2356 posts since 30 Sep, 2003 from Sunny Staffordshire
Lol, I know how you feel mate. I graduated two years ago BSc Music Tech. The carreer prospects might initially seem limited, but Iv had loads of ideas since. I think the thing to do is to broaden your horizons, and work to your strengths.
For me, I do part time teaching for a bit of cash. Im currently studying and hope to continue to do Masters new year. I'd also like to get into music and sound design, particularly in game development. So when you think about it there are many music / music tech related areas you could move into besides the typical studio / post pro routes.
However, if you do have your heart set on becoming an engineer or producer then you have to face facts - your initiation is likely to be a bitch! If possible, I'd recommend applying to studios that either you or close friends work with regularly. If you can show them that you have the skills, then it might be possible to bypass some of the shite.
Good luck!
For me, I do part time teaching for a bit of cash. Im currently studying and hope to continue to do Masters new year. I'd also like to get into music and sound design, particularly in game development. So when you think about it there are many music / music tech related areas you could move into besides the typical studio / post pro routes.
However, if you do have your heart set on becoming an engineer or producer then you have to face facts - your initiation is likely to be a bitch! If possible, I'd recommend applying to studios that either you or close friends work with regularly. If you can show them that you have the skills, then it might be possible to bypass some of the shite.
Good luck!
Last edited by tee boy on Wed May 04, 2005 7:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 19156 posts since 13 Feb, 2003 from Vancouver, Canada
If you can find any multimedia companies, you could try applying to them. I lucked out and got hired by one in 1999, and I got to bypass the real bitch-phase, because the work is entirely done on DAW's, which I got more experience at home than at school anyway! It also helps to learn Flash/Photoshop/HTML so you can be a more versatile sell to these companies.
It's not tracking bands (which would drive me nuts), but I'm composing, recording and post-production. It's quite a decent career option to studio work.
It's not tracking bands (which would drive me nuts), but I'm composing, recording and post-production. It's quite a decent career option to studio work.
j/k-
- KVRist
- 43 posts since 6 Aug, 2004 from portland
Move to LA and get ready to suck cock/beg and plead to get "work". When I say work, I really mean you bust your ass for free for 2 years for "credits" and live on Ramen noodles in some dump in north Hollywood. After that, maybe you'll be able to do tedious shite work as an asssistant engineer in some studio or cleaning up people's post production, and ultimately 10 years down the line, you might be doing what you actually set out to do.
Seriously though, it's not that bad, but you will have to pay your dues wherever you go, unless you start up your own business in a place that isn't NYC or Los Angeles. The key seems to be networking, which is a fine art in and of itself. If you know anyone who's "in" somewhere, start making phone calls.
It's rough, man, (trust me - been there, done that) but you just have to suck in your pride and do what you gotta do and never keep your eyes off of your goals. If you've got mad talent or a great work ethic, you will go places. Just be patient.
ps. always make a little time every week to work on your own music/projects. It will keep you sane. Oh, and you should probably get a dexedrine or adderol prescription asap.
Seriously though, it's not that bad, but you will have to pay your dues wherever you go, unless you start up your own business in a place that isn't NYC or Los Angeles. The key seems to be networking, which is a fine art in and of itself. If you know anyone who's "in" somewhere, start making phone calls.
It's rough, man, (trust me - been there, done that) but you just have to suck in your pride and do what you gotta do and never keep your eyes off of your goals. If you've got mad talent or a great work ethic, you will go places. Just be patient.
ps. always make a little time every week to work on your own music/projects. It will keep you sane. Oh, and you should probably get a dexedrine or adderol prescription asap.
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- KVRian
- 1244 posts since 21 Nov, 2003 from San Francisco
Have you considered live Sound? I've heard it is a great way to get into the industry. I'm friends with the former production manager of George Clinton/P Funk, he has a recording degree, but he told me he stared out with live sound. Stage hand, then worked his way up to George Clintions personal monitor guy then eventually the manager of the whole band. He told me all the major pro recording engineers started out in live sound.
Stage hands even make really good money, especially if you join the union.
Stage hands even make really good money, especially if you join the union.
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- KVRist
- 99 posts since 22 Mar, 2005
Most people with degrees get treated well unless they went to fullsail.
I have seen it dozens of times. Many people get rejected for internships just mentioning the name fullsail.
I have seen it dozens of times. Many people get rejected for internships just mentioning the name fullsail.
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- Banned
- 12367 posts since 30 Apr, 2002 from i might peeramid
post on kvr and tell people who didn't go to schools that they don't know anythnig for cheap thrills? :p
you come and go, you come and go. amitabha neither a follower nor a leader be tagore "where roads are made i lose my way" where there is certainty, consideration is absent.
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- KVRian
- 1171 posts since 21 Feb, 2004
My buddy got a degree and got in with a acclaimed producer in toronto, got treated like his personal bitch,was on call 24/7,did all the grunt work with little thanks and no respect. He got fed up and quit started doing live sound, that job worked out better got more respect and set up his own basement studio. NOt sure if he is making any money doing his own thing he is working other jobs to pay the bills, but feels better about himself.
Nobody's a nobody...
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- KVRAF
- 4908 posts since 10 Aug, 2004 from Colorado Springs
