AboutChris Bushman Expertise I`ve been involved in the technical aspects of the motion picture industry for the past 35 years. In 2007 I received a Scientific/Technical Academy Award for my contribution to archival film preservation.
Experience Currently, I manage a small motion picture film laboratory in Hollywood, California. I have broad experience in many technical aspects of the motion picture business. I have worked as an animation cameraman, production manager, optical printing foreman, still photographer, color timer, sensitometry control foreman, video engineer, customer service foreman, analytical chemist, director of quality control.
Member, Society of Motion Picture/Television Engineers http://www.smpte.org/ - Member, American Radio Relay League http://www.arrl.org/ - Member, Quarter Century Wireless Assn. http://www.lockport-ny.com/radio.htm - President, Zen Nippon Airinkai, So Cal Chapter http://home.earthlink.net/~filmlabrat/ - Member, Maltose Falcons Homebrewing Society http://www.westval.com/mfalcons/ - Alumni, American Brewers' Guild http://www.abgbrew.com/
Expert: Chris Bushman Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: advise for son
Question Hello,
I was wondering if you could give me some advise for my son who is moving to LA in August. He is interested in getting involved in the film industry and I want to give him some advise before he leaves. We have looked into the LA film school but it is very expensive and I don't think he would be able to afford this at this time. I was wondering if this is the only way for him to pursue his dream or is there any other way for young people to find some kind of way in the business? He has always had a passion for film..I sure would
appreciate any advise you might have for me..Thank you, Barbara
Answer Sorry for the delay in answering, my DSL died for a couple of days.
Well, Barbara, I'm probably one of the worst people in the world to ask this question of. My family has been in the business for about 100 years now, and I really didn't want to continue the trend. Just sort of fell into it and never escaped. I never had anything to do with film school.
This is a very tough, often asked question, with no really good answers.
A lengthy, intense, film school education like UCLA or USC can be very helpful but is a very expensive, long term proposition. Spielberg and Lucas are testament to the fact that it can be done,but huge success is really rare, not something to count on.
There is a new film school graduate that works for our company (Laser Pacific Media Corporation) she is a $15/hour driver. I doubt she will get anywhere.
I would suggest looking for an entry level position at perhaps a PBS television station. The pay sucks, but you get to do a lot of things that are really good experience. Since you are almost free meat, they don't hesitate to have you do anything that crops up. I knew a young guy that did this for a while and ended up sweeping floors, running a TV camera, making coffee, editing tape, running errands, soldering circuit boards and cables, ushering, viewing taped footage for tape defects, painting walls, acting as floor director, polishing handrails, running a video switcher, taking out the trash, driving the remote truck.
These days TV and movies have gotten closer together. Although most movies still start with film, they are now usually finished electronically, just like TV. Before too long they will originate electronically also.
Digital post production facilities are a possibility too. There are often entry level jobs to be had there. Although some are tedious like "dust busting" - electronically removing dirt specs from each frame of film - it can lead to things like DI Colorist which can be a really high paying gig.
