Starting A New Career At 51 Open Letter

[DONHUNTER]

Hello My Name is DON HUNTER.
I need your help – The recording community – to help me find a new direction for my recording career.
I am 51 and have been recording music since 1980. I have had my own recording studio business off and on during the years as well as freelanced at small independent studios.
I was making a small amount of money with a personal studio for many years but I burnt out and have stopped since 2001.
I am a bit confused. I always wanted to work at a big studio like fantasy out here on the west coast, The Plant, Fantasy… but I believe these are hard to get into and positions are hard to come by and it seems that they are not doing as well as they used to either.
On the other side it seems like everyone has a home studio and are using the big studios just for tracking.
I know there are many students coming out of tech schools that are fully certified ready to start and they are in line ahead of me especially at my age.
I have been working with Pro tools since 2000 and Digital Performer years before that. I may not know all the tricks and tweaks But I can mix pretty well with Pro Tools. But I feel that I don’t have all the skills that studios look for because I’ve never been certified. Is certification a major qualification?
I decided to try video editing and I have Video Production Certificate from City College.
I have tried to keep up with the new software that’s out there and I have the new Mac Pro with Pro Tools 7.4 and am thinking of getting a Pro Tools 101 certification. Also I have Final Cut Pro.
I have a web site www.soundclick.com/donhunter and a myspace page but I am not quite sure how to market them.
Where is the audio work these days? How do you find work, how do you find projects for game sound, video soundtracks, Vo, vocal tracking. I am not sure where to look or who to call.
At my age should I try to get into a commercial facility or should I try to restart my personal studio.? I need someone who is currently having success to advise me if you would be so kind.
Sincerely
Don Hunter
musichunt@sbcglobal.net
:confused:

[Tarktones]

Hi Don,

Well while I can't comment on successfully running a studio or working as an active professional (I have a desk job during the day), I can comment that as a graduate of one of those tech school, I can tell you that nobody really pays much attention to your certification. It's pretty to advertise to clients, but I'd be willing to bet that they'd rather hear "I've been doing this for 28 years" than "I just earned my certification."

[cmchamp]

Don:
Good luck man.
As I shared in a similar thread, consistency, consistency, consistency. When you say you'll do something, get it done. Your name and reputation for quality work that's worth what you're asking $$ wise will speak much more than your advertising or 'gimic.'
Software choice is just a tool. A #2 philips head screwdriver is the same basic tool be it built by Craftsman or Ace Hardware. Each screwdriver has its benefits and its drawbacks. Personally, I've used DP (bouncing audio now) for a long time, and in my neck of the woods, don't plan to change any time soon.
Get a job to pay the bills. Work on the studio gig part time. Capital outlay for a new studio is expensive, and most finance options won't even look at you until you can show a long history of work, clients, balance sheets, etc.
You may have great ears, great mixing chops, land the right client at the right time and take off like a rocket - we'll pray to that end.

[Joseph Hanna]

Where is the audio work these days? How do you find work, how do you find projects for game sound, video soundtracks, Vo, vocal tracking. I am not sure where to look or who to call.


First my sincerest congratulations on your leap of faith. You have done what so many simply can't. So often opening a new door leads to so much more and I'll wager that'll be the case for you as well. I've historically been on the move both personally and professionally and when I think back on all the places and all the great folks I've met and worked with and how they've contributed to what and who I am I'm eternally grateful. Those experiences and influences are a large part of who I am and had I stayed put in my secure job oh those years ago my life would have turned out completely different. A graceful leap of faith is a monumental accomplishment.

That said however :) The only place I know of that has boundless need of audio engineers is Los Angeles. I love Los Angeles but I know you Fransicoians generally don't. I've noticed a lot of my freelance buddies have been mentioning it's been fairly slow this year especially since the writers strike. They still however do VERY well for themselves and as long as there is Hollywood there will be work.

Also the whole switch to HD and 5.1 is and will change the industry a bit and in my opinion create work. Those facilities that have historically relegated the audio department as their red-headed step child will have to put more funding and credibility towards audio. No more mixing from the Avid to save money.

How to get work? You have to be there. You have to be capable. You have to have a firm understanding on just how brutal the work is. You have to have a little luck.

I can arrange a meeting with a couple of facilities if you're interested. PM if you're interested.

Good luck!!

--Joseph

[gigdog]

You might want to check out some of the large, fast-growing churches in your area. A lot of these churches are looking for full-time a/v persons. You may stumble on to something there. During the week you might be sequencing for the band, producing commercials, editing the sermon for the weekly tv broadcast, etc. And, they might actually pay well (maybe). Another aspect of church work like that, it is sometimes tied to mainstream artists or up and coming ones where you can make a difference with your talent.

gigdog :cool: