Iacopo Pineschi Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 Hello people, I'm a sound recordist and currently a student in the national film school in Italy. As soon as I'll finish the school (at the end of 2013) I'd like to move to Canada. Being the american way of making movies, especially for the sound dept, very different from the one I'm learning here, I'd like to make some experience there as a boom op, utility or assistant before trying to take jobs as a sound mixer. My plan is to make a trip to Vancouver (or Toronto?) this summer, maybe July and August, but I'd like to know in advance if I can get some work to do, so that I can get some acquaintances and some knowledge of the american way of working. Where should I go? How can I start getting that kind of experience? Every suggestion is welcome, thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sound Grab Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 What makes you think us Canadians don't have our own way of making movies? For instance, our slating system sometimes adopts an increase in shot numbers instead of adding a letter to the scene number. I've also found when people switch a light on in the US, they say 'striking', but in Canada we say 'sparking'. Doesn't striking usually mean teardown the gear? Also, I've found in the US when they say, 'save a light' the electric keeps the light on. Here in Canada we actually turn off the light. Isn't that how you save light? Hahaha... Anyways, back to your question. Finding work will be like any freelance job, and the number one thing is to network. After you build a big enough network and with a little bit of luck you'll be on your way. This has also been somewhat discussed. Here's a link to one of the posts: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvanstry Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 Also be aware that in most cases, you will have to be a canadian resident in order to work here. Thanks Pascal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Paine Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 and also, we don't use a traditional wooden clapper board slate. We slap two beaver tails together. Much more satisfying sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justanross Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 Plus some productions only pay in Maple Syrup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacopo Pineschi Posted December 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 What makes you think us Canadians don't have our own way of making movies? For instance, our slating system sometimes adopts an increase in shot numbers instead of adding a letter to the scene number. I've also found when people switch a light on in the US, they say 'striking', but in Canada we say 'sparking'. Doesn't striking usually mean teardown the gear? Also, I've found in the US when they say, 'save a light' the electric keeps the light on. Here in Canada we actually turn off the light. Isn't that how you save light? Hahaha... Anyways, back to your question. Finding work will be like any freelance job, and the number one thing is to network. After you build a big enough network and with a little bit of luck you'll be on your way. This has also been somewhat discussed. Here's a link to one of the posts: My main concern was about the fact that I did most of my jobs without mixing, while I read here that you in America (the whole continent ) give a lot of importance to the mix. That's the most important thing that I should learn before trying to get into the network. Also be aware that in most cases, you will have to be a canadian resident in order to work here. Thanks Pascal Really? So I can't work until I'm resident? Doesn't it take years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvanstry Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 It's not long, first you have to be ready to renounce your Italian residency ( not nationality ) then you apply for canadian residency ( actually you do both at the same time ). You can't be resident in more then one place at a time. This will give you a social security number ( needed to work ). You also need to make sure you have a work visa, check with immigration first. Not a big deal but it is pretty much the same everywhere. Pascal PS. We do mix, mostly pancake mix for the maple syrup.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 " I'm a sound recordist " + " I did most of my jobs without mixing, " I'm guessing that makes you a "tracker", which I believe is mostly happening on "reality" shows. Long ago we used to have separate jobs of mixer and recordist (recorder operator), but perhaps you might please, clarify your experience... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacefivesound Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 "recordists" are quickly petering out of reality, as the A1 runs Metacorder/824/what have you. I was the metacorder recordist for the first seasons of "wipeout" which was mixed/supervised by my good friend and fantastic mixer Curtis Rohm. The "recordist" was a consistently fought for position. Of course, we had many many tracks, plus plenty of overflow A2 duties, which made it fairly necessary. Also, I would hardly consider "wipeout" reality, but production felt differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted December 27, 2011 Report Share Posted December 27, 2011 Oh, those silly Canadians! Still using beaver tails for slating! When will you learn that here in the U.S., where proper Americans live, we now light and burn rolls of $100 bills for slating! We find the flame gives the camera what they need and the subtle crackle gives sound numerous audible sync points. We also have maple syrup here but our version has never been fouled by an actual tree. Oh no, we use syrup that is comprised of High Fructose Corn Syrup, partially hydroginated foreigner, and three parts crazy, whacked out politician. We then pour gallons of it on our Egos and call it good. It goes down smooth but burns comin' out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacopo Pineschi Posted December 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2011 It's not long, first you have to be ready to renounce your Italian residency ( not nationality ) then you apply for canadian residency ( actually you do both at the same time ). You can't be resident in more then one place at a time. This will give you a social security number ( needed to work ). You also need to make sure you have a work visa, check with immigration first. Not a big deal but it is pretty much the same everywhere. Pascal PS. We do mix, mostly pancake mix for the maple syrup.... thank you very much for your help. By the way, maybe my plan of coming one month in the summer and trying to get a job becomes less realistic. " I'm a sound recordist " + " I did most of my jobs without mixing, " I'm guessing that makes you a "tracker", which I believe is mostly happening on "reality" shows. Long ago we used to have separate jobs of mixer and recordist (recorder operator), but perhaps you might please, clarify your experience... I thought that the word "recordist" would clarify that, but it seems that I was wrong. So, I'm a tracker, because that was requested whenever I had to take care of sound, but I want to be a mixer. Inviato dal mio HTC Desire usando Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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