Comments on: How to get started with zero experience

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:43:17 +0000

Good to know Jay, thanks for stopping by. Best wishes, John.

By: Jay Noggle

Jay Noggle — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:33:15 +0000

WOW! Leave it to the Dickinsons and BOD to bring up the relevant topics…

Just wanted to say that this series is one of my favorites anywhere because the conversation is so valid but hard to find.

Thanks, Jay

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:30:15 +0000

Thanks Vikash.

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:22:44 +0000

Hi Noelle, when Robin and I chat it’s not scripted so what you are getting is 100% raw, based on our own experiences, so it’s great to hear you are finding value in that. When I got my present job I had no broadcast experience but had just come from a teaching position. This was considered very highly during my interview and was key to me getting the job. So from that experience I can tell you that having teaching experience and making it clear that you have, is valuable indeed. Best wishes, John.

By: Vikash Verma

Vikash Verma — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:03:47 +0000

I needed this guidance…… Best of all BOD (it’s my thinking)

Thx Dickinsons

By: Noelle

Noelle — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:27:40 +0000

Hey John, very nice video. I really appreciated you sharing your story. Its a nice and grand to hear things like “be confident, and have an excellent reel” but their are hundreds of blogger’s who have been saying that for years. By sharing your personal story I really understand what you mean by be confident and provide a real world example that I can relate to. Robin does a good job of encouraging you to share more. Keep it up!

I was curious if you had any advice about discussing teaching as one of your strengths and how it relates to your work. I just finished up teaching a semester of Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign and will start the job hunt in a new field soon. I’m wondering how to apply the skills I gained teaching to my job search. Any examples you can give?

Thanks!

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:35:30 +0000

Good to hear Bellacose, keep it short and punchy and make sure the music doesn’t drive viewers crazy. Best, John.

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:34:31 +0000

Hi David, I think that even though I felt I didn’t have design skills, looking back I still had a sense of design. Surrounding myself with trained designers allowed me to develop that sense into a skill… but there’s always more to learn Best, John.

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:28:22 +0000

Hi Leo, sounds as if you are very proactive with your business. Great stuff! Best, John.

By: bellacose

bellacose — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:08:58 +0000

Thanks for the insight; currently, my reel is too long. I’m in the process of creating more stuff I can put on it; as, I’m not happy with probably half of what’s there now. I’m probably going to shoot for about 1:45 for length, and hope for the best. Thanks again for your opinion; I highly value the advice you have to give.

~bellacose~

By: David Gugel

David Gugel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:25:49 +0000

Excellent show and very encouraging to me John that you felt you didn’t have design skills. I am at that point now and trying to do what I can to develop better skills and use of colors etc. I am trying to surround myself with others who can look at my work and give me the the feedback needed to improve my craft.

Thank you John, Robin and James for your insights and and encouragement to all of us who seek to better ourselves.

By: Leo

Leo — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:25:45 +0000

Wow… this is one of the episodes I’ve enjoyed the most you guys. That’s kinda how I got started (not much other than a great idea and people wanting what I could offer). I have so much to learn still but I’m out there and I have gotten clients even when I didn’t have a website. I do this full time now and planning to get into school to really sharpen my skills.

Thank you both so much for the insight, I have learned a ton tonight.

Leo
Kansas City

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:14:23 +0000

James you worked hard through some very tough times to get to where you are. Determination is an important quality and you have truck loads of that indeed. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Best, John.

By: John Dickinson

John Dickinson — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:08:14 +0000

Hi Bellacose, I remember that reel was about 2 minutes long. I made enough examples, probably about 5, to go with the work I already had. Only 5 to 10 seconds each but just enough to display my AE skills. I think 1 to 2 minutes should be fine for a reel as long is it contains your best work. Don’t put anything in there that you’re not entirely happy with. Best, John.

By: bellacose

bellacose — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:40:51 +0000

Great show John and Robin! Thanks for all that great information. Speaking of Demo Reels, John, I’m curious what your opinion is on how long should a demo reel should be? Do you remember how long your reel was for the Foxtel interview? You mentioned that you made some stuff specifically for it; when did you feel you had enough?

Again, great show; one of the best so far for BoD, imho!

~bellacose~