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 | | | | May31Written by:Lionel Dumond
Wednesday, May 31, 2000 6:00 PM  You've studied hard. You've paid your dues (or so you think). You've twiddled the knobs on an SSL 9000, used Pro Tools to slap together some fake radio spots, and actually participated in the quaint ritual of editing ¼' tape with a razor blade. But that's all history now. Yes sir… those weeks (or months, or years) spent at Big Al's Recording School and Storm Door Company are finally going to pay off! Bring on the gold records. Bring on the cover of Mix Magazine. Bring on the Grammy Awards! You are now ready to make records, break records, and basically set the Wide World of Audio Production on it's ear....
Gee, I wish things were really like this, but they're not. I hate to whiz in your Wheaties, but I'm here to tell you that life after recording school is not going to be an endless parade of stretch limos, CD-release parties, and royalty checks. If you've recently joined the ranks of recording school graduates being churned out by the thousands every year, congratulations--you are now qualified to take on a job with no future, no benefits, and best of all, no friggin' pay. Welcome to the Big Leagues, son.
Greenhorns Need Not Apply
If you're like most recent recording school graduates, you probably have little or no real-world experience in an occupation where experience is a highly valued commodity. Also, keep in mind that you are trying to compete in an industry in which over 80% of the participants are either self-employed or employed on a freelance basis, which means the other 20% are holding on to the jobs they have. You're faced with the classic Catch-22. How are you supposed to gain experience if you have no chance of breaking in without it?
This is where the internship comes in. You work for little or no pay for a specified period of time (usually, a few months at most) in some kind of production facility as a way getting a few notches in your belt. It's not glamorous, it's not always fun, and you certainly won't get rich. But, if you keep your ears and eyes open, you'll get a taste of day-to-day life in a real facility, learn some new gear, and hopefully make some valuable industry contacts along the way.
I know it may seem discouraging to realize that you've spent all that time and money in school just to qualify for a "lowly" internship--but the reality is that without some sort of prior training, landing an studio internship is nearly impossible. In the recording industry, even the competition for unpaid positions is pretty intense, and if you're completely wet behind the ears, you probably won't cut it. Every year, it seems there are more and more future engineers and producers chasing fewer and fewer available positions. Merely showing an "interest" or "aptitude" for the work isn't enough these days. Most studios don't have the time, patience, or resources to take on someone who has no background at all--even though they're not paying you--so that certificate or degree is still an important credential.
If your school is a good one, chances are they already have contacts with facilities that are willing to take on interns from time to time. These opportunities often quite limited and are thus usually reserved for the best and brightest in a given class, but don't be shy about jockeying for position if you think you've got a shot. Also, check into other placement resources that may be available, whether it's a list of studios that hire interns, a letter of recommendation, or help with your résumé. Ultimately, it's up to you to land the gig--but like any job, getting in is only the beginning. That first internship is your "foot in the door" to a career in the audio production industry, and how well (or poorly) you do may portend your future in The Biz.
In my many years in the industry, I've seen my share of interns come and go. Most were pretty good, some were excellent; others had no business being anywhere near a recording studio at all. (There was actually an "in-joke" at one place I worked, whereby those interns deemed particularly bad were bestowed with the "Golden Spatula Award"--no explanation necessary, I'm sure). From these and other experiences, I've worked up a list of pointers for all of you would-be studio rats out there, to help you survive—and hopefully, succeed in—a recording studio internship.
1. Treat it like a job.
Yes, I know there's no paycheck, but that doesn't mean you have the luxury of treating your internship like a summer vacation. Showing up late, leaving early, taking extended breaks, and taking days off whenever you feel like it are sure-fire ways to blow whatever chance you may have at success. Even though you're "only an intern," your boss and other personnel will be treating you and evaluating you as one of their own. You want them to be able to count on you as a colleague, and a big part of that means being there when you're supposed to. As Woody Allen once said, fifty percent of being a success is just showing up.
2. Put in the hours.
One thing is almost universally true--in any employment situation, regardless of the endeavor, clock-watchers rarely get ahead. I have personally been involved in situations as a freelance engineer where getting the call meant putting in 18 to 20-hour stretches for several days in a row! While you probably won't find yourself in such an extreme situation, you do need to realize that long and sometimes crazy hours are the nature of this business. Standing at the door with your coat on at 4:45 doesn't exactly convey enthusiasm for the work you're doing. Be prepared to put in the same hours as your co-workers do—even if it means postponing that hot date or missing the big game on TV. Establishing yourself as someone willing to go above and beyond the call of duty will go a long way toward garnering favor in your employer's eyes.
3. Do the crappy stuff.
One of the most important factors separating the good interns from the bad ones is how aware he or she is of his or her status. That isn't meant to sound demeaning; it's simply a fact of life for an intern. This is an industry in which you are expected to "pay your dues," and paying your dues isn't always fun.
The sooner you realize your place in the pecking order--that you are, in fact, the "low man on the totem pole"--the more successful you will be. You aren't there because you're a gifted producer or a hotshot engineer, but only by the grace of your employer. Even if you're unpaid, you are still consuming time, space, and resources, and you need to do whatever it takes to give back more than you're getting. It's up to you to justify your place in the scheme of things.
Hooked on the Bean
While you're running around making yourself helpful, don't forget one of the most important pieces of equipment in any recording studio – the coffee machine! Like the traditional water cooler in most office settings, the coffee machine is often the hub of activity in a recording studio. It's natural if you think about it – many of the musical types with whom you'll be working have thus far led sleep-deprived existences full of late-night sessions and even-later-night gigs, kept afloat with greasy-spoon rocket-fuel java. A few years of that, my friend, and you've got a monkey on your back with Starbucks on his breath. Yessiree… more likely than not, your colleagues will be irrevocably hooked on the bean. And pul-leeze, people… forget the decaf. We need that kick!
You may think I'm joking, but I'm not--if you want to be instantly valued as an important part of the team, learn to make decent coffee! Whether or not you personally like or drink coffee isn't the least bit important. Besides, the secret to making decent coffee isn't that hard. Just make sure to keep the machine impeccably, spotlessly clean (inside and out), always use cold water, don't let it sit too long, and learn how everybody likes it (usually, strong and black).
All of this reminds me of an intern we once had who was taking an audio production course, and the internship was required for his graduation. Unfortunately, this poor fellow didn't know a microphone from a doorstop or a tape reel from a pancake, but I was still sorry to see him go because, well… gosh darn it, the kid made a damn fine cup o' joe. (As I recall, I even wrote a pretty decent recommendation to his professor, too.)
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Of course, every intern wants that shot behind the console, but you won't ever get that chance until you earn the trust and respect of your colleagues, while giving them the respect that they deserve, too. One of the best ways to do that is to consciously look for the things that nobody else likes to do and do them--willingly, enthusiastically, and without complaining. No task, no matter how menial, should ever be considered beneath you. And if you volunteer to do them before you are asked, you are way ahead of the game!
You've got to prove yourself in small but important ways every chance you get. If you stand by and watch the senior engineer dusting the console, you're making a big mistake. If the trash cans in the place are overflowing, you've already failed. If the floors need sweeping, the bathroom needs attention, or the office files are in serious disarray, you're missing the best opportunity you have to make yourself a useful part of the team! This is all the boring, menial stuff that needs to be done by somebody. Let that somebody be you! Show that you're willing to "pay your dues" with a smile on your face, and you'll get the opportunity you deserve.
4. Try not to get underfoot.
There is a very fine line between being "accessible" and being "in the way." Unfortunately, it's a balancing act many interns never quite learn to master.
When I'm supervising interns, my own personal pet peeve is the guy who is constantly asking, "Is there anything you want me to do?" Look, let me tell you something… if I had a job for you right now, you'd be doing it! And if I have to interrupt what I'm doing to find something to keep you busy, then you really aren't making my life any easier, are you?
Another frustrating situation I've run across is the "Puppy-Dog Intern." This guy is like my shadow. He's a constant companion. No matter where I go, he's there. If I stop walking in my tracks, he bumps into me. If I turn to get something, he's right there in the way. If I'm trying to trace a cable, more than likely he's standing on it!
Of course, it's only natural to want to contribute and be as productive as possible, but like any job, there are going to be busy times and there are going to be slow times. There are going to be times when your help will be needed and appreciated, and others when it's best to lay back and chill for a while. One good way to be valuable without being a pain is to be a "self-starter"--by being aware of things that need doing and to do suggest them yourself.
For example, I would much rather have someone come to me and say, "I noticed the cables in the back room are a mess. Shall I wind them properly and organize them for you?" than ask "Is there anything to do around here?" Another good rule-of-thumb to remember is "if you're not part of the action, be part of the woodwork." In other words, if you're not actively participating in something, it's usually best to hang back. For example, if there is a session underway, don't stand over the producer's shoulder, hover behind the engineer's chair, or kibitz about what's going on. Sometimes it's a good idea to be not seen and not heard!
5. Do it the way they want it done.
In recording school, you were presented with a great deal of theoretical knowledge, hopefully punctuated with a few hands-on examples. Remember though, that audio production is both a science and an art, and as such, there is considerable variation in the way things are done among different studios and people in the business. Often, this is just a matter of individual taste. Sometimes, it's a function of a person's background--for example, you'll often see "old school" guys from the days of analog and vinyl do things far differently than engineers coming up today. And sometimes, a person's methods may be unorthodox (or, let's face it, just plain wrong) because, well… I've always done it this way, dammit, and no one's gonna tell me any different!
Inevitably, there will be some task or procedure you will see being done, or be expected to perform yourself, in a manner diametrically opposed to that which you learned in the textbooks. It's okay to ask—politely—why they do it the way they do if you don't understand. After all, there is always more than one way to skin a cat, and some ways are better than others. However, by no means should you ever insist that their whole method is "ass-backward" and offer to "set them straight"—you're asking for trouble if you do! Whether it makes sense to you or not, it's usually best to make like Burger King and "do it their way." Who knows… you might just learn a thing or two they didn't teach you in school.
6. Don't grumble.
Granted, it's not always easy to maintain a positive attitude under what can seem like trying circumstances. I know that emptying ashtrays isn't what you had originally signed up for, but remember it's not forever. Just think of your internship as part of your continuing education in the record business, because that's what it is. Nobody ever mixed a gold record on his first day on the job. Everybody has to start out somewhere. And every day of experience you gain in the industry will build on the day before. Think of every day as the first day of the rest of your career in the audio industry. Stay upbeat. Stay focused. Don't criticize, condemn, or complain. Even if it seems you'll never get your turn at the wheel, be patient. Stick with it, and your day will come.
7. Borrow and read the manuals.
One of the great things about an internship is the exposure to new and different equipment. Take advantage of it! Find out where they keep the manuals, and read them thoroughly. Watch the guys who know what they're doing as they work the controls. Ask questions when and where appropriate. If they will let you, stay late or come in early and experiment with the gear. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of the tools of the trade, you'll show the boss that you're eager to learn and contribute. And you'll get your hands on the buttons, for real, that much faster—after all, the more you know about the gear, the more they'll let you do stuff with it.
Remember that interning in a real working studio is a great opportunity! Read. Ask. Experiment. Learn. Absorb everything you can while you have the chance. Remember… the experience you gain with a given piece of gear may someday prove invaluable.
8. Make and maintain contacts.
Whether you realize it or not, you're in show business now… and in show biz, more than almost any other profession, it's often not what, but who you know that matters. It's simply a sad fact of life, that sometimes how smart or talented or knowledgeable you are doesn't always count as much as making the acquaintance of the right person.
Of course making friends, maintaining relationships, and networking among your peers is an important part of any successful career, and now is a great time to for you to get started. Try to meet as many folks in the industry as you can during your internship tenure. Don't be shy about letting them know you're looking to find permanent work in the industry. Ask them for guidance, suggestions, and advice on the best way to proceed from where you are to where you want to be. Take whatever steps you can to make a name for yourself, even if only among the local music crowd. Make sure to collect as many addresses and phone numbers as you can, and stay in touch with them in the future as best you can.
9. Get letters of recommendation afterward.
You've spent weeks or months working hard at a job without even being paid. Don't you think you deserve something to show for it? A letter of recommendation (or, at least the promise of a decent future reference) can be one of the most important things you take away from your internship. Oddly enough, it's been my experience that most interns never even think to ask for one.
It's best to bring this up with your supervisor well before the end of your stay--if you wait until the last minute, you'll almost certainly find yourself the recipient of a hastily jotted toss-off, if anything at all. You may want to ask one or two of your colleagues if they'd be willing to write on your behalf as well. Unless you've been a complete failure as an intern (in which case, you would likely have been booted some time ago) they will almost always agree. Remember that they were once where you are now!
As the time draws near, tactfully follow up on their progress. If they've agreed to furnish you with a letter but haven't yet put pen to paper, don't despair; just realize that this is quite likely not at the top of anyone's to-do list at the moment. If your last day is quickly approaching and still nothing, what may happen is that he or she will ask you to write a letter for them to sign. If they offer this as an option, great--grab it and run!
What's Your Story?
Ever done hard time as a recording studio intern? Have or do you own, or work in, a production facility that employs interns? Care to share your experiences?
Send your war stories, horror stories, and success stories to me at ldumond@prorec.com . I'll take the best ones and compile them into a future article.
Please be sure to include your real name and city. I'll withhold your name (as well as those of the other guilty parties) if you indicate that you don't want them published.
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In Closing
I can remember, almost to the day, when I decided that life in the recording studio was for me. Despite the ringing ears, the relocations, and the sacrifice that it's taken, I'm glad I made that decision! I can't say I've never questioned the choice—I still do sometimes—but all in all, I wouldn't have traded it for the world. If you've made the same decision, just know it won't be easy. And if you do somehow manage to make a living in this crazy business, I hope you'll find as much fulfillment and satisfaction in it as I have.
I hope you've enjoyed this article. As always, if you have any questions, comments, complaints or good martini recipes, write me at ldumond@prorec.com . I love getting your letters!
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