KevinMckendree

I am curious on how some of you became DIT, and how one should become one? My mentor have recently started pushing me toward becomming a DIT. I used to work in Television for a while and can work most studio positions if I want too, but I left TV a few years ago to work as a ramp rat and a repair tech for PC's (got to pay the bills). I am looking into getting back into production work, but I always enjoyed the technical side of productions. What workshops should I look into, and also, what will be a good path to take to gain work experience as a DIT?

I know that this post might be a bit dated, but I would agree with Dan, if you can afford Full Sail, I would go through that program. I did not go there, nor do I plan to go there (too rich for my blood.) My friend have went there back in the day when they only have a two year program and he is a successful grip. My friend is Jacksonville, and worked with me at a local TV station. When a film project came along, he would stay at a crash pad down in Miami- Dade county. I would do a two year community college program and then transfer to a 4 year, it will save you a ton of cash in the future. Also you might want to move to where you will be working. My Mentors daughter have attended UGA for their film program and she currently works as a production coordinator. I think her latest project was the Killing Season... something like that. She has been getting steady work in Atlanta. (She offers me work from time to time, but for some reason, she will not accept a "crash pad" as a local address... what is up with that?) I believe film schools is one of the best tools for Networking, and in this industry, that is the best way to break in. Another option you should look into is workshops such as the Maine Media Workshops, once I save up enough cash, I might hit up a couple.

I am looking to get back into the freelance videography/ cinematography position, and I want to get myself a DSLR set-up. As of right now, I do not know where to start, but as of right now I am leaning toward a Canon 5d Mk. II or III set up. A friend of mine suggested that I should start with a T3I and work my way up from there, but of all of the test and video's I have been watching, I did not research the T3I as much. But with the research I have been doing, I am impressed with the quality of the 5d Mk3 models. I have been out of the videography field a while and I want to inch my way back in. As of right now, my goal is to shoot Shorts and commercials, nothing too major or complicated at first. I used to work as a ENG operator, but it has been years. I am still debating between the T3I and the 5d mk3. Since I am broke, I should logically go toward the T3I, but I like the quality of the 5d. What will be a good first lense to get? Also what will be a good set up to go along with the camera? (I am good on audio.)

I have considered Full Sail before, but I do not want to be in all of that debt like most of my friends that went there. But on the plus side, they all have jobs in either the TV or Film industry. He travels up and down the coast as a grip on different motion pictures. If Full Sail was not freakin expensive I would consider it, but I want to go to film school for one reason and that is the networking opportunities. You are usually better off working on a set, or even visiting a set when the opportunity arises. One of the biggest things that my mentor drills in my head is Location, Location, and Location if you want to find any kind of work.

Hi all, I am new to these forums and I have learned a lot. I currently live in Northeast Florida and I want to move away from here. My mentor is pushing me to go to Atlanta (His daughter is a Production Coordinator there) but I want to go to Las Vegas (My friend says I can live with him) or Seattle ( I just love the area). I am willing to go wherever though. I also want to get a job at a rental house and how would I go about that? I will also like to thank you guys for your input.