Michael Miramontes

Wow. this seems to be working pretty fast. Thanks for the link!

I was hired today to go to a celeb's house and record their audio for a V.O. I've been asked to email/send the files online to the Producer. The files are way too large for regular email and so I was considering dropbox.com or dropsend.com. I'm just not sure if by doing this I would be degrading the quality somehow or if this was a reliable way to do this. Anyone have any suggestions? Any info is appreciated. Thanks, Mike

They should call it "the sound geek convention". Either way, I'm totally there.lol

Strangest thing happened to me yesterday. I was getting on to the 10 fwy to head home when I had seen an apple box laying in the middle of the onramp. Soon after I dodged out its way I pulled over and threw it in my car. So, looks like I can make a BoomBox for free now. I love it when stuff like that happens.

Wow...$175. I can build 10 of those for that price.

A friend of mine asked if I knew anyone free this Saturday 10/8 to mix sound on a music video. It's low budge work so it only pays $200 for the day. I was told they will only need 2 lavs and maybe a boom for the shoot. I'm already booked that day so I figured I'd pass this along if anyone was interested.

LMAO!!!

LOL..all in good fun.

Since when does Denny's ever give preferential seating?

Do you guys think this effect may distract you from what the Director wants you to feel?

+1

I forgot who said "there are no rich men in heaven". Sorry to hear about this.

Rich, I got most of what you were saying. It was just the "real world attitude" part I was unclear about. At any rate, thanks for the clarification. I'd like to share a bit of my background as well. I am 32 years old and have always wanted to be in the entertainment industry. It wasn't until a few years ago that I was able to pursue this goal. However, my day job has been in the Real Estate/Mortgage Lending industry for over a decade. I hold a Degree in Business and I'm currently a Real Estate Broker who has handled short sale/foreclosure/loss mitigation portfolios for some of the largest banks around. I've taken a lot of people's houses away from them while working for the banks but now I've turned the tables and I'm sticking it back to the banks by using the insider knowledge I've learned to help people keep their homes or avoid foreclosure. So, believe me when I say that I know that it is a "dog eat dog world" out there. I've just about seen every side of greed, corruption, and scandal. Not trying to say I know it all, just that I wouldn't expect people to act differently in another business field. I appreciate your input though as I know you are a respected sound mixer and will keep your advice in the back of my mind for reference when the situation arrises. I guess while I'm on the topic of Real Estate this would be a good chance for my shameless plug. If anyone needs help in this realm feel free to contact me anytime. I don't mind swapping knowledge or trading work for Lectrosonics. hahaha

Please expand on this.

I like to see the glass half full.

I think if I was in that situation I still would have appreciated the opportunity I was given, the lessons I would have learned, and the contacts I would have made, despite not being hired on by Universal. That kind of stuff is priceless. I see C.A.S comes after your name so I guess things worked out after all, huh?

Mathew, As with anything else, if a product or service has a set price then one shouldn't have to pay more then the agreed upon price unless there was a material change of some sort. This is basic contract law. In my situation, I am taking jobs that most of you stop taking many years ago because I'm just starting off. With that said, the Producers I've worked for are also limited in their experience and therefore will make mistakes in budgeting, choice of cast/crew, and overall production. It is a learning ground for everyone and it can really test someone when the stakes are high. Some people dont know how to deal with these circumstances and so they either become humble and let everyone aware of the challenges they face, or they let their ego get in the way and try to bite more then they can chew. Unfortunately, the latter of the two results in working conditions that warrant the need for union intervention. it's sort of like a relationship. At first everything sounds great and nothing seems like it can ever go wrong. It's when problems arise that Producer's true colors come out and contracts or negotiated terms are put into jeopardy for the sake of finishing the film. The last film I did had crappy food, long hours, and the Producers bitched when I asked for more batteries. I really wish I called the union on that one since everyone was disgruntled. Heck, I would have made it in the union on the time i spent on that gig alone.

Yup, this is what I found out when searching Hollywood CPR's site.

Crew, I'm still learning the craft and most of what I do is small budget Indy stuff and commercials. In attempt to climb the ladder I reached out to a respected sound mixer and asked him if he would consider taking on an apprentice. To my surprise he was willing to offer his assistance. But, since he works on one of the big TV shows I wouldn't be able to be a boom op, or be on set as an apprentice, unless I was in the Union. So, this is why my quest has been to find out what I need to do to get in. I realize that getting in the Union is the next step and so this is why I've been spending ALL DAY on this site, calling around town, and reaching out to my other film contacts for assistance with this endeavor. I have been offered a job on another Indy film that I just may call the IA on. Hopefully it all works out. If not, then I'm sure I'll figure something else out. I'm going to make this happen one way or another.

Excellent advice! I've done probably over 600 weddings in my lifetime ( I started helping my dad when I was 7) and would have to say this tip is right on the money. It makes all the difference in the world.

Kinda confused about this. They worked 10 seasons without the Union or their uncooperative employer??

True, but if I was going to rally the troops to go union then it would be quite obvious who the whistle blower was. However, I have done my fair share of projects where the Producer was an A-hole and I swore never to work for them again. So in the grand scheme of things I probably wouldn't care if they knew it was me.

Will this pretty much piss the Producer's off, hence the reason for doing it under those conditions? I'm assuming if this happens they will then have to pay us Union wages???

Great idea! This seems like the best way for me to get my "card" and make up for all those long long days I've worked and was compensated in cash/personal check.

Tons of great info! Thanks everyone.