Thanks for the suggestions. I've been reading all the posts non-stop since I signed up for the site. A lot of it still makes no sense to me but I'm starting to pick up on key words that are sticking in my mind.

I'll most probably be posting many questions in the future as well so in advance I'd like to thank you all for your help.

Great link Bob, thanks for that! While checking that page out I noticed you were there as well Hosko. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Cheers,

Mike

Don't be afraid to ask questions on here, even the ones you might think sound stupid to ask. I know when I started to switch full time there was a couple of times where the switcher just wasn't behaving as it should. Sometimes reading the manual doesn't answer your questions and asking a question can get it solved in under 5mins in some cases. (this saved my bacon right before a show once).

I'd personally work out what type of shows you want to switch, then find out what equipment they use and learn that. Out job is more then just knowing the different brands of vision mixers. There is a boat load of peripheral equipment you need to know. There are a heaps of different DDR options out there, from EVS to Fastforwards to Digistore RTD's, and if your working in America you'll need to know how to use a Lance. Most other regions don't use it so depending where you live people favour different kit. Learn the ones you need to skip the rest till you need to know.

I started as an EVS operator and we didn't have any full time switchers/TD's, freelancers were brought in whenever shows were on. I got make break in switching when a freelancer called in sick and they couldn't find anyone else. I had been teaching myself how to switch by getting a hold of Sony training cd and working my way through it. Occasionally a freelancer would come on that didn't know the Sony but was great on a grass valley. I knew enough to get them on air with the basics. So when they couldn't find anybody the director told me to get someone else from tapes because I was going to be switching the show. Shortly after that I was offered a full time job and have been loving it since.

Moral of the story is know the kit that your surrounded by so when opportunities call you can make the most of them. You normally have to make your own luck in this industry.

My 1st suggestion would be to pour over all of the postings on both this site as well as FreelanceTD.com.  Within these sites you'll find pretty much any question that you could think of - from how to look for work, to how to get training, to what's new with each of the switcher manufacturers, to tips & tricks from a lot of the pros.  You'll see some of the same questions & subjects brought up over & over - these are the important ones that you need to take special note of.  But you can get most of your answers just by going back into the postings.

Decide on what you want to do (News, Sports, Entertainment, Music, Corporate, etc.) & focus on that area.  There are a lot of people who claim to be "jacks of all trades", but they tend to gravitate towards specific styles of TD'ing.

Try to find a mentor in your area.  While most of us like to give the impression that we're all self-made, the reality is that virtually all of us rode somebody else's coat tails to get to where we are...at some point somebody opened some doors for us & gave us a shot - maybe as their sub-switcher; maybe as their fill-in.  Trying to climb the ladder of success all by yourself is not impossible, but it's a pretty tough road.