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Hello!Greetings from Europe!Available for work


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Hello guys!

My name is Paul. I’m in business for almost 10 years. I worked as boom op. then as the location sound mixer and large broadcast consoles mixer. After that I was promoted and my job now is to supervise up to 15 sound crews daily. People, equipment and main concept of sound recording, mixing and posting is my space of responsibility now. Also I teach students. I’m totally confident with all industry standard gear. I closely worked with Sound devices, Sennheiser, Lectrosonics, Zaxcom, Shure ect. Recorders, mics, wireless systems…well, almost everything, cause our production is just huge, we have almost everything modern sound industry can provide)). Also I’m DIGICO and ALLEN&HEATH GLD, iLive certified specialist.

Once I’ve decided to screw it all and began to travel worldwide and work with sound as a freelancer. I went to western Europe and Asia. Did many international format-based shows as Master chef, Hell’s kitchen, The contender, Bachelor, The moment of truth and many others. More than 30 showcased reality and talk shows.

As if you guys have time to watch some news, you would see that things go pretty hard in my native Ukraine at the moment, and I made a decision to spend this late fall and winter in NY. To be honest I don’t know anyone from US somehow connected to our sound world, so here’s my story. I think this is the place to show it.

I just hope that somewhere in US I could find someone from our huge worldwide sound-family to get me any leads about how stuff works in US.

I mean what is overall attitude to international specialists? What are the basic pay-rates?

It’s kind of hard to have an official work permit in US. I don’t have one actually, so what’s the story says about that? Does freelancers get paid in cash or they really should have some kind of official permit to do sound job? So basically I don’t know where to start. I never worked in US before. As far as I see, everything is totally same but I’m sure there’s a lot of details.

Is it reasonable to bring my full sound cart to US, or I’ll be ok with just a bag for the first couple of months?

I’ll be very pleased with any leads and thoughts about that. Thanks.

Anyway, I’m always open for sharing thoughts and exp. with my colleagues.

I’m ready to start my life from the scratch. If anyone from NY can reply I’ll be more than happy))

Thanks for reading, and sorry for my English if something is wrong)).

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Hi and welcome symbioth: " my job now is to supervise up to 15 sound crews daily. "

sounds like you currently have a good gig, though I understand that the "political" system there is in turmoil.

" to get me any leads about how stuff works in US.

I mean what is overall attitude to international specialists? What are the basic pay-rates?

It’s kind of hard to have an official work permit in US. I don’t have one actually, so what’s the story says about that? Does freelancers get paid in cash or they really should have some kind of official permit to do sound job? So basically I don’t know where to start. I never worked in US before. As far as I see, everything is totally same but I’m sure there’s a lot of details."

there was recently a thread about exactly this stuff, as someone else was interested in emigrating to the USA;

the short version: it isn't simple.

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Hi Symnioth,

 

It's tough to advise in this situation, as there are definitely a lot of variables, especially regarding whether or not you will be able to work. Most sound jobs that are worth anything are typically paid through payroll services, and you will definitely need a work permit to be able to work these jobs and get paid.

 

Speak to a lawyer, inquire about potential visas that you may be able apply for. Particularly I'm thinking of the O-1 visa:
http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-individuals-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement/o-1-visa-individuals-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement

 

Considering your resume, I would assume that it wouldn't be difficult for you to get an O-1 visa, but like I said, speak to a lawyer who specializes in this stuff. I have very little knowledge about this sort of thing.

 

Regarding equipment. I'm sure you can probably do with just your bag at first. There are a lot of us who work mostly (some solely) off of a bag. Once you've established yourself well enough in this market, you could import your cart if you see the need.

 

Hope that helps. Good luck!

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Thanks for the reply. I understand that this is the hard way, but I'm looking forward to deal with this situation. Actualy I'm not really want to emigrate, but just to give my knowledge and spirit where it's needed..Not in Ukraine unfortunately now. 

Well anyway I'm good team player and I know everything about the set etiquette. This is one of my most hard-to-pass exams with my students. 

Again, thanks for replying. I really hope that somewhere there are good perofessionals and people, who won't say something like: Oh, again another imigrant wants to find a job". My primary goal is to share exp. and minds with my coleagues in US, well and of course not to die from starving)) .

As far as I can see from the reply, everything works followed by paperwork, am I wrong??

Surely I can do much better than indie, but I realize that I should build up myself from the very beginning. That doesn't fright me at all. You really don't want to know how things with broadcasters are now in Ukraine.

PS: What thread exactly do you mean? if it's ok, could you please give any details? That's very inmortant to me at this time. Here, or PM, as you wish.

Hey, while I'm writing this, I recieve another reply)Thanks guys!!!

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arriving in the USA with a lot of professional tools (equipment) will raise a lot of brightly colored flags, unless you have the proper VISA and other paperwork.

try doing a Google search with the first term jwsoundgroup.net, and some other terms (be creative) like " working visa " etc.

employment requires proper paperwork (visa) and even working as an independent contractor will usually require some documentation, and frankly I'd be cautious of any situations that did not, though they certainly occur.

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Thanks! I spend a lot of time figuring out what are my future steps for legalization should be. We are not cave people here, of course I've searched a lot(don't misunderstand me, please) I just would like to think about some opinions in our community in US. I mean "from the inside". Thanks for giving me them!

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Hi Paul,

 

It is not an easy to be freelancer in USA and with permanent work visa in my little search. The "easiest" method is to have an offer for work (long term contract), but takes time (and a good employer; I am not talk about money). Most folks here are freelancers and cannot guarantee long term contract (to US government/laws/whatever called).

 

A good start is to close an interview with the US embassy in Ukraine to get an overall picture about immigration.

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What José said.

It sounds like a O1 visa would be the way to go. Bring along as many awards, newsclippings, letters of recommendation, reels and even radio and/or TV interviews of you as a subject, because those are highly considered for a visa for "exceptional ability" (that's what the O1 stands for) before you come to the US.

If this thread were happening in the early 90s, it would be a totally different conversation - but now, after 9/11, employers have become especially cautious about paperwork, so it won't be easy at all to get work if you're not authorized to do so.

 

Good luck,

BK

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Thanks guys for understanding and advice. For sure O-1 VISA is the main path by now. I really have a lots of recommendations and titles in best, very expensive shows. Actually last year I did a reality as a sound supervisor, that bet up all the TV ratings (we use Nielsen as well, by the way)in last 5 years. 

But I'm planning to send an aplication for the O-1 arleady being in US. First, just as tourist I want to look around things. In that status, what are the chances just to fill in some crew as substitute for cash or work with some start-up (students,maybe)? It should be a little easier, I suppose. What do you think?

An image just for fun)):

Thanks

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the previous topic was in 2012, but little has changed significantly...

 

BK: " employers have become especially cautious about paperwork, "

even when they do not properly employ folks (independent contractors) they will still require a federal ID number (SSAN for citizens, and appropriate immigration documentation from non-citizens)

 

sym: "but I'm planning to send an aplication for the O-1 arleady being in US. First, just as tourist I want to look around things. In that status, what are the chances just to fill in some crew as substitute for cash or work with some start-up (students,maybe)? It should be a little easier, I suppose. What do you think?"

I'm not even certain you can apply for the o-1 visa while you are here as a tourist, but the only cash work you will get will be pretty bad stuff (look at the thread about Claig's List (aka CL)...

I think it could be a bad move...

 

I can see you are going to keep pressing this until you get an answer you like... 8)

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