Expert: Phil Nemy - 10/28/2006

Question
Thank you for your comments.  You opened my eyes.  The only other question I have now is the fact that I do see a lot of studio openings for Graphic artists, illustrators or designers.  Mind you, they are not generally listed for sets but they are on-studio jobs.  Because of my experience as a Graphic artist as well, perhaps that could get me in the door so-to-speak.  I know there is a union for graphic artists as well so why is that?  Why are they advertised on studio websites?  Do they fall under a different catagory when the studio hires a graphic artist for non set purposes?  Otherwise, they wouldn't advertise, right?  I know I am pushing it but considering you knew the hourly rate of a draftsman, perhaps you know how much a graphic artist may make at a major studio.  Im sorry to seem like I am reaching but I do have a passion to be involved in this business.

Its ironic how, when I read responses you give to would-be actors, it seemd that you had a more enthusiastic "gung ho" approach.  A "go-getum" feeling to your answers.  I would think of the two, that my job request would be easier and optimistic to fill then theirs.  I guess I don't really know how the business really works.  Well, Ill keep plugging along.  Maybe it will work for me.

Thank you once again.

Anthony

P.S. It is also ironic that you mention Disney.  My Producer contact was a Former VP for Disney.  Maybe I have to redirect my focus with him.   
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have been pencil pushing for over 20 years now and finally want to persue my dream.  I am very interested in a position with a major LA studio, building and/or designing sets.  I have an Associates in Design Drafting and Computer Graphics with a 3.64 GPA(was top in class).  I am a Sr Draftsman by trade and been so for 22 years.  I also freelance as a graphic artist and computer architectural renderer.  I owned a general contracting business for 7 years and have 1,000's of hours of hands-on construction, budgets, scheduling creation, and client interaction.  The real (REEL, HaHa) thrill for me for the past 7 years, is that I have been set designer, construction coordinator, and board member for a local theater group here in Westchester, NY.  I have designed and constructed the set of over 23 productions as well as scenic design and prop creation.  These are good quality productions for community theater.  I have a great portfolio.  Seasoned actors and paid teckies have told me, numerous times, that my sets are better then some professional ones they worked on.
I constantly peruse the career sections of major studio websites and never see an opening in their design/construction department.  With the 100s of movies and TV shows filmed every year, that demand sets constantly, I cant believe there are no openings in these studios.  I have no doubt, once in the door to one of these studios, that they will be happy with my work, versatility, and talants in this field.  Having a family, I would like the security of working for major studio as opposed to a nomadic freelance deal of a production company.  I do not mind starting at the bottom in a studio provided that the bottom is not bare-boned bottom.  I would need benefits and to support my family as well.  My questions to you are:

Do I have the qualifications to get in the door of a major studio? (Warner Brothers, Sony, Paramount, Universal).
I do not have schooling in the arts but you can see that my experience is comparable.  My theater work is volunteer but if they see the what I do and I'm currently not getting paid for, it should clearly show the passion I have.  Imagine if I was paid and had a budget more that $150.

Is it basically who you know to get a studio job?

Is there a proper protocol that needs to be done? Do I have to go through other avenues instead of just looking on the studio websites?

Does the union situation have to do with it? what comes first, the union or the job?   

What would the salary range be for this type of work?
Im looking at Design and/or construction.  I wouldn't mind carpentry work or overtime if it gets me in the door.

I know a producer that is going to show some LA people he knows, my resume.  Do you think anything will come from that type of contact?

It shouldn't, but would the fact that I am 41 years old stop them from hiring me?  I really look like I am in my late 20's and I feel just as young.  At 41, I feel I have a good 20+ years left of viable work left in me.

Thats all for now. I will have more questions, but this is good.  I will keep you posted.  To make matters more confussing, I actually wrote a screenplay, my daughter was in a Tide Commercial and made a few consumer DVDs, and my Wife did some background work.  The arts are in all of us.  It would be a shame if I didnt persue this dream of mine.  LA may benefit all of us.   

Thank you,

Anthony
-----Answer-----
Anthony,

Thanks for writing. I can appreciate what your trying to do. Unfortunately, you don't understand how this industry works. First of all, motion picture studios do not employ staff set designers. Set Designers, or draftsman, in the film and TV business are free-lance crew people. Most are members of the IATSE union. There are very, very, very few non-union draftsman.  So you can forget ever believing that any film studio like Warners, Sony, Paramount or Universal will ever hire you as a salaried staff employ in a full-time job as a draftsman on a film.

If you want to be a draftsman on a film, then you'll have to move to LA and start on non-union films. Once you have performed 400 days of non-union work in films, you'll be eligible to join the union. That's it. That's the only way in.

How do you get non-union work? You need to know someone who will give you a chance. Networking is KING in LA. You've got to get out there, join some networking groups, tell people what you're trying to do, and hope that someone will throw you a bone. You will not find these jobs on any website or through an human resources departments. It's all by word of mouth.

Currently a union draftsperson makes $37.44 per hour, plus overtime and pension, health and welfare benefits.  A non-union person makes whatever he can negotiate with the producer.

Pursuing a carpentry career in film is the exact same approach. 400 days and you're eligible to join. Keep in mind that being eligible doesn't mean that there is space available for you to join. The books may be closed at the moment, but if the biz gets busy and the majority of the members are working, they may open the books and let you in if you have your days.

You may want to consider going to work for a theme park design company like Landmark or Walt Disney Imagineering. They need draftsman from time to time to help draft the designs for rides and theme park attractions.

I'm not sure what your LA Producer friend can do for you other than get you a gig free-lance on a film. But once that film is over, you're out of work. That's the nature of the free-lance world.

Your age doesn't help you, but as a set designer it should't hurt you. It'll just make getting started a bit more challenging.

Hope this helps. Good luck!


Answer
Anthony,

Sorry if I sounded too negative to you. That was certainly not my intention.

With respect to graphic artists, having never hired a graphic artist, or worked as one, I honestly cannot tell you what they make or what the job listings mean. Give me the web listing for the graphic artist "on-studio" positions you see posted so that I can read them myself. Maybe I'll have a better understanding of what they're looking for, whether or not they're union positions, whether or not they're free-lance positions, etc.

By the way, if you don't mind saying, who was the Disney VP that you know? I, too, was a Disney VP and I may know them.

Phil