Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rebecca McCoy on March 27, 2009 at 11:36am

I think it depends on what you want to do and who you want to be. I'm sure there are tons of people in this industry who have received all of there education on the job and honestly that's where most of it is going to come from. However, I think college has merit. I was in a situation in college where my advisor told me that I didn't need to be in school to do what I wanted to do and that I could leave right then and go out and make money doing it. I almost quit, but I'm so glad I stayed in. I can't think of one instance where going to college has been a detriment to me. However, I can think of many times where it has been a great asset. I chose to move out to NY and focus mainly on theater, if I had gone out on tour for a rock and roll show, my life would be much different and maybe then so would my response. I don't know. I think college is something that you should do for you to enrich your life and take as much as you can about your field from it. There are people who argue that you can always go back and go to college, but as far as my friends go, those people get less from the experience and generally still feel like they missed out on something. So my vote is go to college and maybe get a summer job that focuses more on specific aspects of the trade.

Permalink Reply by Matt Franklin on March 27, 2009 at 2:49pm

well, I tend to enjoy alot of stuff....like lighting video, computers...the list goes on. So for me to hunker down and go to college they tend to make me choose one of those...and in reality i wanna know them all pretty well...

Permalink Reply by Matt Franklin on March 27, 2009 at 3:27pm

Lol.I looked into that....43k for one year...Honestly man...prolly more than that. Plus i work with the local and other stuff too. Florida is a lil far away from texas :/

Permalink Reply by Steve Mutch on April 8, 2009 at 11:14am

I would say to learn on the job as much as possible. Learn from lighting techs and audio engineers while working with them. A lot of touring techs will usually have no problem answering questions about the equipment.

As for Full Sail, they overpriced. I mean, they actually have a alab for loading a trailer. Seriously, if you need a lab to learn how to load a trailer, you're in more trouble than you know.

Permalink Reply by Matt Franklin on April 8, 2009 at 3:58pm

No joke about the loading a trailer part man. I really just want more insight into different equipment. Along with something i can show to say i know this equipment. If i had alot of money i could go to say martin or christi or veralight and get certs but thats expensive and something you have to keep up with :/

Steve Mutch said:

I would say to learn on the job as much as possible. Learn from lighting techs and audio engineers while working with them. A lot of touring techs will usually have no problem answering questions about the equipment.

As for Full Sail, they overpriced. I mean, they actually have a alab for loading a trailer. Seriously, if you need a lab to learn how to load a trailer, you're in more trouble than you know.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Giles on April 15, 2009 at 12:54pm

Regardless of whether you have a college degree or not, and no matter how many years you have been in the industry, you are always wise to continue to pursue training. With technology advancing so rapidly, especially in our industry, it is practically a necessity. Any training should be a worthwhile investment in your future, if your future is in the entertainment business.
Choose your training opportunities carefully, however. Make sure you are taking classes from industry professionals with credentials. I had one bad experience with a so-called stagecraft school that promised a lot on their website and then failed to deliver. I spent a great deal of money to travel and take this workshop, and I ended up going home disappointed and very angry. The only thing I learned from that trip was to be wary. Since there is very little in the way of training opportunities where I live, I try to take at least one workshop each year somewhere else. Books and online tutorials are great too. Find a mentor. See if your Local offers classes. You need not travel or spend a fortune to learn a lot, you only need to be hungry for knowledge.

Permalink Reply by Matt Franklin on May 5, 2009 at 8:22pm

Thanks for your reply. Ill take the information to heart.

Permalink Reply by Frank De Marzo on May 7, 2009 at 10:57am

Matt,
You can never not learn. My advice is to check out what local college are available. At the same time you can learn in the industry if someone takes you under their wing. But at the same time if you decide to take a class at say a local college you will be in a theatrical based environment. If you can handle things changing and such then go with it. Otherwise keep plugging a way whatever you decide.

Permalink Reply by Matt Franklin on June 3, 2009 at 6:47pm

ive decided to start taking some tech theater classes at the local community college we'll see how that rolls, Thanks for all the input.

Permalink Reply by Don Lanier on July 13, 2009 at 7:11pm

School is good But REAL WORLD experience is the clincher for most jobs, I have some Interns who come in and do hands on work to get the real balance of School and Work that you need for the Job....I would recommend that anyone find a company and do a week, or more of Interning and get your hands dirty, your brow sweaty, and see whats involved besides school learning. I go to many manufactureres classes and training sessions but I want it hands on, I want to do it, and sometimes to get that foot in the door, Intern is the path, prove yourself and then you may find your self working., NO NEWBY should ever think your going to start programming, or at a top tier position, everyone needs to begin polishing par cans, loading trucks and Building a rig from the ground up to realize whats involved in the BIG PICTURE. Loading trucks may seem below you but think about this, If the truck is loaded wrong and the gear damaged, your company goes out of business and you dont get paid. COMMON SENSE APPLIED EVERYDAY with Ability and Skill is great but give me a guy who just gets in there and does the job, and doesnt bellyache or complain that hes too good to Hod Snakes...