Health, Wealth, Wisdom & Fun

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/the-radio-dj-and-other-onair-people-p-324.html

The training field for on-air personalities has always been in radio broadcasting - radio DJ's, talk show hosts, voice-over artists, program announcers, newscasters, weather personalities, sportscasters and play-by-play men all train here.

The fact that the radio serves as the training ground for better and brighter things can be attributed to three reasons:

1. There are more radio stations than any other form of on-air broadcasting, so there are more than enough job vacancies to fill.

2. Radio pays less than other types of broadcasting.

3. Unlike other forms that are measured in 30-minute increments, radio programs are measured in multiple hours. In effect, the on-air personality is given more air-time - as such, he'll be able to polish his craft quickly.

The internet and digital technology have opened up even more doors. It used to require a production truck to broadcast a remote radio show. Presently, all that's needed to run the show would easily fit in a briefcase. In podcasts, on-air personalities already have the opportunity to broadcast their own show through the web - no need for a radio station then.

If you're passionate about music, sports, politics or other broadcast niche; or think you have a good voice for promos and commercials; we can help you achieve your aspirations. Here at Radio Connection, we have been training on-air personalities, voice talents, radio DJ's and talk show hosts, among others, for years.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/film-internships-do-you-have-what-it-requires-p-323.html

Let us discuss what's needed to get a job for film internships.

1. Drive and determination. Are you passionate enough to enjoy working 18 hours per day? Bear in mind that longer hours are highly needed in production. Try acting if you're a flake and you want to work in the film business.

2. Creativity. Do you have a unique subject in mind? Does anyone care about your topic? Can you visualize your film in the eye of your mind? Do you dream about your story, obsess about it?

3. Do you thrive under pressure? Do you believe that Murphy's Law would oftentimes be not the case? Do you treat limitations as opportunities?

You appear to have what it takes to be successful in the film industry if you've responded positively to the three questions above. However, drive and determination, creativity and thriving under pressure are not sufficient. Obviously, you need to have above-average job skills. And you definitely need contacts, connections, hookup and referrals. Let us tackle these issues.

Learning job skills may seem pretty self-explanatory and for the most part is. Knowing how to turn on and point a camera, set lights, work an editing bay, etc. can be learned from a good mentor. Another important thing to consider if you are serious about learning the basics in the film industry is your learning environment. Most traditional film schools will teach you the practical equipment applications in a very controlled environment. This year's class does the same shoots and projects as last year's class and the one before that, and so on. The approach of the alternative film school opts for a more hands-on, learn by doing method that thrusts the student into real-world shoots where everything is being done for the first, and only, time. In this sense, traditional film schools are like practice and the alternative film institute, like the Film Connection, is like the real deal.

It may seem unfair but sometimes, who you are predicts your success rate in the business. In the film industry, this is how people get hired. A vacancy opens at a film company...someone resigns for a better job elsewhere, leaves to get married, moves out of state, retires, etc. and suddenly there's a job opening. When this happens, the person in-charge of recruitment won't gloss over resumes and start calling candidates. Nope, they are going to pick up the phone and call someone in the industry they have on speed dial to check if they know of anyone who is available. This is why connections (or to use the current buzz word, networking) are so important. To put it simply, the more "relevant people" you know, the better are your chances of landing on a job. The fact is, it is not enough to simply have the talent. Of course, if you have the talent, plus the connections, then you're clearly rising above your contemporaries.

The final consideration is financial. Traditional film schools can leave youwith $100,000 in debt and the fact is, most of film school graduates do not earn this kind of money for several years. So ask yourself, do you really want to kick off a film career with that kind of debt? Would you not rather put that kind of money towards making your own film?

All this and more are the reasons why the Film Connection Film School Alternative was started. It seeks to provide you with the best of all worlds, and not just both worlds. Your personal teacher, a working professional, will teach you on the basic technical skills of the job. As you'll be working on real film projects, you are learning from the best possible environment. You'll be responsible for a number of projects at the same time, so you gain wide experience fast. The school's structured curriculum will teach you both the traditional (theory and history; equipment and production techniques) and business (fund-raising, distribution, permits, contracts, talent releases) aspects of filmmaking.

The more shoots you go to, the more contacts you will rub elbows with. Think about it, everyone who's working on a film shoot is someone who is working in the film industry, thus, everyone you meet on the film shoot is a contact you need to make. The Film Connection film internships give you that opportunity. The course is set to last six months which is just about how long it takes to assimilate and be comfortable with everything you're learning. Lastly, the cost of the Film Connection Film School Alternative program is just $7,750. Because the simple truth is, we don't believe film school is worth $100,000, $50,000 or even $25,000.

Link: http://www.billboardmama.com/is-it-a-brilliant-idea-to-enrol-in-film-school-p-322.html

Let's not beat around the bush. One of your major reasons - and possibly the only reason - in enrolling in a film school is to help you prepare for a work in the film industry. So, let's set the record straight on what you should anticipate from film school.

No film school can instill creativity. No film school can teach drive and determination, and no film school can teach you how to handle pressure. As you know, these are among the most significant skills that you must have, if you are to thrive in this business.

On another note, film school can teach discipline, theory, history and many production elements effectively. In a nutshell, filmmaking is story telling: instead of words, it utilizes light, mood, action, dialogue, music and images to tell the story and film school can be essential in honing your story telling skills.

Is it then a bright idea to enrol in film school? If we take a closer look at the film industry for answers, our findings are inconclusive. Those who had formal school training include Coppola, Scorcese and Lucas. Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Richard Linklater and Spike Jonze did not.

As the film industry undergoes a digital transformation, one of the primary reasons for going to film school has all but vanished. Prior to the digital age, film and editing equipment were highly costly and film school was a good place for the novice filmmaker to gain access to it. Currently, with digital technology, access to filmmaking equipment is within an arm's reach of anyone who's serious about attending film school.

The digital transformation therefore made it easier for aspiring artists to get a shot - as in filmmakers who get discovered after posting their works on platforms such as You Tube. Indeed, those who will thrive in the business are those who "just do it," as Nike proudly says.

With that as our basis, is film school even important, and if it is, what kind of film school makes the most sense if the goal is to make a career in the film industry?