Getting that most wanted in the industry, "Experience"

How does one get the experience "on the job" if you do not have a job nor can you apply for jobs if you do not have the 2 or more years and the degree from the local degree mill?

I worked for 12 years in the television news video editing department at the national broadcaster, I learned so many things, this was prior to the introduction of non-linear systems, for various reasons I was no longer in the department after it was switched over to Final Cut Pro 7.

I am trying to get my head around FCP X, going through various exercise books, and such like, but this is no substitute for actual material to work on, to have projects that are complex, that stretch your understanding.

I have tried to find a way to overcome this issue, and there seems no real shortcut. I know that no matter how many hours I sit and stare at the 13 inch monitor with FCP X on the screen, or how many GB I waste downloading youtube tutorials, watch various streams on vimea, ripple training. This is not going to give me the experience that employers want.

I do not have access to a well funded university training, I do not have access to much, in fact that this point, FCP X is regarded as imovie Pro. I have tried talking to the local tv station here, where I worked previous, and no dice.

I am not getting any younger and now is the time to really spend getting my head around the complexity that is FCP X, what I need is some sort of project to work on, in essence to re-edit, so that I can work out in my own way methods to achieve what I need.

There is one thing we all as editors have, that is speed, when I was a DVCPRO video editor, I was used in tight deadline situations, as I was very confident in making high speed decisions, I did not have to hunt and pick the keys, I was a blur when working, like a machine.

The thing was, I would often during periods of no editing, I would re-do things, try new methods, not really all that much you can do on DVCPRO with 1 video track and 2 audio tracks.

When it comes to non linear, I need to spend time sorting out so that I can understand how things work, and being Aspie [Asperger's], I am find the writing in the books, confusing, which leaves me feeling stupid, I am not stupid, just have issues with the written word.

This was the main reason I became a video editor, using video in a fluid medium, seeing the script as a whole, thinking in a flim strip cutting room sort of way.

I love editing, it is all I want to do for the rest of my life, I admit I cannot see how with out the blessing of someone who can see past the lack of formal qualifications. I need to either keep editing exercise material from PeachPit, or I do not know what. I am not in any way competent in camera ops, being that I am short sighted I need the big glass end to see...Oh that is the end I point at the action..oops.

I hate crowds, going into a room with a large usually Japanese designed plastic and glass wart on my left shoulder is not something I care to do, do not ask me to use that device, unless you want out of focus, uncolored material!!!

So how does someone from outside of the USA, get the experience needed? It seems that by the time youa re 21 years old and have lived from hatch day in the USA< you have a degree and 5 years experience? I was in the USA from Feb to August of this year 2013, and I watch local television in the fair state of Vermont, and to be honest I was shocked at the what I thought was a lower standard than I am used to here in Africa.

I tried to get an appointment at the local university, no we do not allow non students in to the broadcast. I know that in a very short time, I will be a great crew member, the real issue is experience.

What should I do? I am almost 39 years old, at times I made not the best career choices, I really really want to carry on my career as a video editor, I do not mind the hours, or where, as long as I get to edit, then I am happy.

If I get the chance to show my potential, it will be so worth it. Can any one suggest and ideas?
Justine
South Africa

It's not an easy world, and you're right that it can feel like the business is swarming with twenty-somethings brandishing DLSRs, whose main creative asset is that they've no idea how clueless they are (and I mean that with kindness and a certain respect, to be honest: I was one of them, back in the day, and I did amazing things because I simply didn't know they were supposed to be impossible).

What you do have is a clear understanding of your own strengths and limitations. You know you're not trying to be a solo director/camera operator/editor. You know you're fast, or at least have the potential to be once the software becomes second nature and you can go back to trusting your instincts.

What may be difficult is that you're going to need other people - a selection of individuals with whom you find yourself working repeatedly, or a team to join. There's simply no way around that, and finding those people can be hard work, but you can pick the environment in which you meet and connect with them.

I'm based in the UK, and here I wouldn't start with local universities. I'd go to the gear hire places, see if they know of any indie shoots that could really use an editor - there might be a pet project they're hiring gear to for minimal cost which is crying out for post production. Sure, it's a long shot... but in three months time something like that might come along. Or next week.

Or try local post houses. They may be able to loan you some footage, or again, put you in touch with another project. Or perhaps a local film commission organisation can find you a suitable placement, or put you in touch with a director or DOP. I'd also look for things like 48 Hour Film Project events. They could be stressful socially, but you might just get lucky with falling in with the right group of people.

In short: you have to get out there and introduce yourself. Opportunities won't come to you, at least not until people know you and your work.

That's about the best I can offer, I'm afraid. For whatever it's worth: yes, it's hard. I was in broadcast for 12 years, and leaving was both unexpected and painful. Carving my own path has been stressful, precarious, and frustrating, but it can be done.