An Open Letter To Moms And Dads Of DV Rebels.

This letter is based on a similar letter that a fine organization known as the CDC (The "Career Development Center"...one of the best organizations I've ever had the pleasure to work with at my former employer) would send to parents of recent graduates who chose to go into the field of production. This is my spin on it.

Dear Parents;

Although it seems as though your pride-and-joy has come home to raid your refridgerator and stay up late watching your cable television, I assure you their job search is harder than you think...or might have been lead to believe.

As a 20+ year veteran of this business (radio, television, film, post-production, audio recording design, shleping coffee, etc.), please hear my words with great weight: this business is extremely competitive and nothing (absolutely nothing) is guaranteed. It could be weeks, months, possibly but hopefully not longer, before an opportunity in the business becomes available. Thousands of students graduate from college to be in "The BIz"...and it can only support so many new people because the veterans don't want to leave.

So, what can you do to truly help? First of all, stay positive that your kid chose the right path. It's not a clear path and they need your support. Let them relax, but don't let them get lazy. Encourage them, but don't pester them. If they're up doing research and sending out resumes, show 'em you're noticing. If MARIO KART is all they're doing, SHOW 'EM YOU'RE NOTICING!!!

In this business, money doesn't flow like water for people starting out. Some jobs they take might be "On Spec"...as in, "Ya do this one for free!". It's experience and they need it...provided it's the right experience. A soccer video for the neighbor is not the experience they need...getting coffee on a film set, logging tapes at CNN, working on a low-budget film for festivals, etc. are the experiences they need.

Now this is the scary one: they may need to move to a strange and foreign place (say Atlanta, NYC, Los Angeles, Ireland, Dubai, etc.) without enough funds and no contacts in order to get the initial job they need/want. This is a big risk...but this business runs on a common theme: Big Risk Means Big Notice. A gigantic failure yields big notice and lots of experience the same way a big success does. Students who want to do this need to embrace that theme...and as parents, you have to be ready for this. My parents had to deal with all of my successes and failures. They are just fine, and I'm fine, too. Had I not taken the risks I did, I never would've worked on all the amazing (and awful) films, shows, etc. I had the opportunity to be a part of...and I wouldn't have the career I'm enjoying right now.

Finally, don't let your bundle-of-joy default to graduate school due to fear of not finding work. Graduate school is NOT (and SHOULD NOT be) like undergraduate work. If your recent graduate does not have a plan for finding a job, not having a plan for graduate study can be even worse. Graduate school is a big decision, not a default to avoid pressure.

Getting started is difficult, and your kid needs your support and encouragement...you'll know if they're being lazy.

Long Live The Rebellion.