What are the possibilities of a job shadowing for music production or film making in Columbus Ohio as a 16 year old?
I am a 16 year old sophomore interested in learning more about how I can continue in my passion for film-making with other teens and making my own music in the studio through music production. I also play guitar and keyboard for instruments. I wanna find more filmmakers or producers that can help me and find summer programs I can join.
2 answers
Juney’s Answer
- Search the roles & responsibilities online, and read up! Does this job usually mean you work for a big corporation, for small studios, or as a freelancer? Are there different specialties, and do any specifically appeal to you? What kinds of industries can professionals with these specialties work in? What skills are required for each of these specialties?
- Join communities dedicated to specific roles & responsibilities, and learn & observe. Perhaps there are Discord communities or Reddit/Meta/LinkedIn groups of professionals and hobbyists in your field of interest. You don't have to interact with anyone, especially at the start, and can simply read, listen and observe.
- Once you've found a community, (politely!) ask questions. Ask about the role & responsibilities in practice, about events & programs that exist, et cetera. There may be a public channel, or an individual that would be kind enough to, answer some of these questions you have. They may be willing to do a call, or even mentor you!
Juney recommends the following next steps:
Michelle’s Answer
It is so fabulous that you are such a creative person with dual talents and what seems to be the necessary motivation to get things going !
I think you have a good chance with shadowing in the fields of work that you love. Do you know about Film Connection School right there in your city ? They offer recording, radio, film. That means that you can visit the school and introduce yourself and request to shadow or audit a class. A tip I would like to share with you is that you may be able to be involved with working with one of the students on their assigned student film projects. Ask to shadow them during filming and mention that you are a musician and let them know that if they need any music for their film you'd be happy to score one. It doesn't hurt to try this. The students will have various projects and you will benefit by either shadowing and or offering your talents.
Also try this at universities and community college film departments in your locale. You are bound to find someone who needs assistance of some sort on their project and I think this would be great experience and you can even add it to your resume. I have left a link for the Film Connection website below and you can phone them at (800) 600 - 6956.
As for shadowing for music, since there are several recording studios in Columbus, I have left a Yelp link to them below. Visit all that you can and offer to volunteer and/or ask if you could spend some time in the studio to observe. Bring a resume with you on these visits. Have a website link on your resume to your music so they could listen to your creations. Performance careers are much more efficient if they are done in person and people can put a face to the name.
Here is another idea, which to me is quite exciting. Start a film club at your school. You and other students can do film projects outside of school, but ask the school if you can utilize any of the school's equipment. Get an idea of how open your school is for a new club/group/activity like this. Put up informative flyers for your group to gather interested talent. You will not only utilize and practice and grow in your creativity but you will develop leadership skills that will carry you far. Do it as soon as you can.
I hope that this has been a help and I wish you all the best going forward !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: