NYC Retouchers - Anybody work here?

[Benny Profane]

Boy, they advertise a lot. What's up with the turnover?

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/med/580493764.html

"The ideal candidate must
have an aesthetic mastery of art, fashion and beauty"

phew, heavy.

[zganie]

Is that the going rate for the experience they want,
Zganie

[Ant]

Originally Posted by zganie

Is that the going rate for the experience they want,
Zganie

No and I suspect that's why they are always looking for people.

[Nanls]

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Boy, they advertise a lot. What's up with the turnover?

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/med/580493764.html

"The ideal candidate must
have an aesthetic mastery of art, fashion and beauty"

phew, heavy.

They have the same ad for their LA division: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/med/580500735.html

[surfito]

is that actually a good or a bad pay for the job overthere in the US?

[pixelzombie]

it seems low for what they are expecting, my previous supervisor made 60K and he couldn't retouch to save his life, but he did know about color profiling...

[Ant]

Originally Posted by surfito

is that actually a good or a bad pay for the job overthere in the US?

Can't compare 'in the US' - it's NYC (or LA). It is not good pay for what they want, just enough so you aren't starving. I was going to write "I can't believe they get away with it", but they don't.

[Benny Profane]

And a new one today: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/med/587341907.html

So, they're actually thinking that a "talented" and experienced CGI dude will work for that. hmmmmmm.....isn't that a very rare and valuable skill?

[Ant]

BTW, a member of this board does work there (or used to - not sure now). In my opinion, they are too big, have too many suits, are only one small step from pre-press and do not have the sense to realize that any good house is only as good as its retouchers - can't keep anyone good paying what they offer.

So this will show up in an internet search and maybe someone over there will see this and wise up:

Impact Digital www.impactdigital.com pays below the going rate and is always looking for people because of it.

[pixel_monkey]

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

And a new one today: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/med/587341907.html

So, they're actually thinking that a "talented" and experienced CGI dude will work for that. hmmmmmm.....isn't that a very rare and valuable skill?

Now, that's just outrageous. Do they have any idea of what it takes to know all those programs in their job descriptions and be really good at them? 3 rendering softwares and 2 of the most difficult to learn 3D applications in the industry? Are they a retouching house or a full blown special effects studio? Seriously, experience CG artists in Hollywood can't honestly said they have those skills under their belt. Not to mention you also need to be really good at Photoshop. Talented people like that are most likely already working for big name studios like Pixar and Dreamworks.

[Little Fisher]

I interviewed with them about a year ago for a Junior retoucher position, which paid about what an intern would make. I was looking to gain experience, though, and thought they would be a way start off.

The interview was bizarre. There were 2 of them... one didn't talk at all or make any eye contact and sat with his arms crossed across his chest. I knew before even sitting down at the table that there was some sort of judgement passed based on first impressions and that I wasn't what they were looking for. I continued graciously, though, and showed my portfolio. They showed little interest and the whole things lasted 5-10 uncomfortable icy minutes and I was out of there.

One thing I do know is that there were only around 10 people who worked there... I asked. They told me that they're taking their time interviewing because they want just the right personality to fit in and also more experience so they wouldn't have to fire anyone. That told me I didn't have enough experience to work for them at an intern's rate and that I wouldn't fit in with they're personalities. Whatever... I make twice as much as their senior retoucher does right now, and I've learned a lot in a year without them. Better off, if you ask me.

[Benny Profane]

Sounds like a screen test for a Coen brothers movie.

[zganie]

The problem here is its just a number,depending on where you live the amount could be great to absolutely dismal.Also they will find someone always happens whether the money is good or not
thats why I asked if this was the going rate

[Kitkuare]

One of my friends works there as a junior retoucher. I haven't heard too much about it yet, but this is certainly interesting.

[ChrismanImaging]

Hi, I'm new to your forum...
I worked for a prepress house in Memphis for 13 years as a color correction and retouching artist... started on a Combi, then Davinci then Mac...
most I ever made was 42,000...
sounds good to me but would not want to live in NY...
I'm sure the cost of living would be outragious...

[sonny7]

I am not at all surprised by what they are offering for pay. For what they want this amount is an insult. I have worked in nyc advertising agencies and retouching shops of all sizes. Believe it or not the community of retouchers in nyc at this level is a very small group of creative people. I am extremely good as a retoucher and have made a decent living from it. But people with all these skill sets who are willing to work in that environment deserve alot of cash!

[Dutch Rich]

A lot off people have asked me about this place over the years. My first work experience coming to NYC was with them. I think his vision resembles a dry-cleaning shop but for images. They had a punch-clock to keep track of your hours. Zapped the creativity out of you the moment you arrived. I have more horror-stories from those three weeks than in my entire 10 yr. retouching career. I have to say that the owner, won't mention his name, was the first one there and the last one to leave every day. Hard working man. But I think his passion is to become the richest man alive.

[pixelzombie]

is a punch-clock different from a time-clock?..every place i have worked at has had some sort of time tracking device/software...

[Dutch Rich]

Well I'm referring to those things they have in factories. Assembly line style, and the only other time I've had to use one was on a wash factory summer job back in my native Holland in 88. I always seen retouching as a collaborative creative effort so I have a problem with punching a clock. As a company you set a tone of suspicion which is pretty detrimental to the creation of relationships between photog and retoucher or boss and employee. Someone earlier said something along the lines of "a company is only as good as their talent". I truly believe in that as well.

[Benny Profane]

Originally Posted by Dutch Rich

Hard working man. But I think his passion is to become the richest man alive.

Should've learned how to play shortstop, consumed HGR, and then make pals with Warren Buffett.


Haven't seen an ad from these guys lately. Maybe they got the message.......

[pixelzombie]

don't you mean HGH?

[Benny Profane]

heh, you're right. Steroids and speed, too.

[Dutch Rich]

Speed is overrated, ask your wife.

[CaptainHook]

Originally Posted by Dutch Rich

Speed is overrated, ask your wife.

HAHAHA.

Nice website by the way Rich!

[Dutch Rich]

Thanks Cap

[pixel_monkey]

Only a little more than 2 months since the last posting, the very same posting is up again.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/med/669036562.html

I wonder what happened to the last candidate they hired.

[Benny Profane]

churn, churn, churn

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/med/775262368.html

[Little Fisher]

Gee. Do you think they're expanding? They're getting so much work that they have to hire more and more cheap retouchers?

[pixel_monkey]

It seems more like the last senior retoucher they hired found something better and left.

[zganie]

As Ant said Probably not paying the going rate