Hello

I am an independent filmmaker from Los Angeles. I have recently moved to Zürich to be with my wife while she finishes her PHd at the Uni. I am looking for any kind of work in film or video production. Does any one have any leads?

I also have a substantial photography background and am interested in opportunites in that field as well.

Thanks in advance!

Steve Ellington
www.ellingtonmedia.com/blog
www.gigerfilm.com

Hi Steve,

Here's some info that I posted a while ago re. broadcast/TV/film jobs:

I can tell you a little about the broadcasting industry in Switzerland. First of all, most business is based in Zurich - so you're coming to the right place.

Secondly, the market is largely freelance. There are only a handful of companies that employ full-time staff. Swiss Television is in Zurich too - however, it's difficult to get into without connections, as they are outsourcing more and more all the time.

"The" address book for the film branch in Switzerland is called the "Cinememo". You can order it on http://www.cinerent.com/e/default.php. You will find contact details of freelancers, branches, film houses, institutions, suppliers (from lighting to post-production facilities) etc. It is THE source for all TV/film professionals in Switzerland.

A lot depends on the position you're seeking. Directing, producing, runner, technician, editing etc.? Do you have your own equipment?

I don't want to put you off, but please remember that Switzerland is primarily a print market. Getting film & TV work will take some perseverance - but it is possible. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice.
I will definitely pick up a cinememo.
To answer you questions. I do have some of my own equipment. Mostly editing equipment. I am looking for directing jobs but I can make my self useful in just about any position on a film. I have worked everything from lighting to special effects.

Thanks Again

Steve Ellington
www.ellingtonmedia.com/blog
www.gigerfilm.com

Hello Steve,
How is it going with finding film/tv/photography work? I am just about to finish my degree in broadcasting and then in the summer will be moving to Zurich while my girlfriend finishes her studies. Unlike you I don't have my own equipment, but if you have found something or while you are in switzerland want a keen and enthusiastic assistant or researcher let me know. Or if worst come to worst and niether of us have found something in our chosen field, and you fancy meeting up and doing a bit of extra-curricular film making...let me know.
All the best,
Sam

Hi,

You might check this notice board, occasionally there are postings for film work: http://www.focal.ch/cinestage/panneau-d/default.htm

Good luck!

Felicia

Hi Steve

My husband and I are possibly moving to Switzerland in the next 2-3 months .
It looks like I may get offered a teaching post there and my husband works in TV and video production. He has over 20 years broadcast experience in a variety of work editing,camerman ,directing and has been working freelance in N.Ireland for the last 7 years
We have just started doing some research into the freelance market there and so I was interested when I read your post and wondered what you had found out about the market .
We are possibly moving to Basel

Kathy

This probably goes without saying, but if you want to work in the Television industry here you are most likely going to have to be fluent in German or Swiss German.

I have 11 years experience as an audio technician at several major Canadian TV stations. Despite my experience, I was already told by all the TV stations I approached in Zurich to come back when I have fluency in the local language. (which is no surprise.... totally understandable) I have been studying the language for several months and made some good progress already, but I reckon it is going to be at least another few years until I am even close to fluent.

Has anyone here been able to get into one of the local stations without total fluency?

Hi John

thats what I thought but needed it to be confirmed by someone who is there.
Not looking good for us I must admit. Tony also coaches tennis but not sure what openings would be there either .

Difficult situation as there is no way he wants to sit around for a few years learning the language. Also financially it would make things a little tighter as well.

Thanks for letting me know the results of your research , Tony is like yourself and has worked for BBC and other stations for years, alot of experience but I can understand why he would have to know the language

Hi Steve,

Here are some jobs that are on offer (in German)
http://www.tpcag.ch/index___id=unter...jobs&l=de.html

http://www.sf.tv/unternehmen/einzel....cid=stellenueb

Good Luck.

Hi Sellington, Sam and everyone else,

Can fully relate to your situations... Had to give up on my line of work after coming here... Radio stations, tv... not helpful if you're not fluent in swiss german - completely understandable - language is the medium of communication!!

Anyway, I was just wondering if you guys would like to meet up - we can set up a place and time and then just see where our strenghts/talents etc lie and how we can take them further here. Maybe bring a show reel - demo etc. Even if it amounts to nothing, its still fun meeting people from the industry - always a certain amount of creativity and madness somewhere -which I SO miss here!

Anyone up for some sparks??

Hello one and all,

I'm just back in Basel this week after putting my TV job search on hold and heading back to London to produce a series for Channel 4.
I hear you about the difficulty with finding work - I moved over here in April to live with my girlfriend and make some TV contacts as well as look for other work and after a month or so it was proving fairly tricky. I made good conact with a couple of companies in Zurich - Condor being the biggest one and they were particularly encouraging but had no immediate positions. One other tried the advertising agency route - they sometimes need camera ops / directors etc. I ended up volunteering for a month to meet people here and learn a bit more of the language and i've been taking german lessons since then.

Would be keen to meet up and chat about work/life in switzerland and potential collaborations

Steve
0774 638 002

Sounds like a good idea! I would be up for it. It has been far too long since I have done anything creative. After living here for about two month, looking for film/tv jobs, I ran out of money and since then have been working in a shop. It seems like some of you guys have a lot more experience than me and it would be really interesting to meet you.

Cheers

Sam

Looks like with the folks in this thread alone, we could field an entire crew for a small production. We seem to have all the bases covered with the combined skills as well. (Producer, Director, Lighting, Camera, Audio... Was anyone here a switcher/Technical Director or have any Chyron experience? It will be good to keep this little network together in case one of us breaks through with work at a station because contacts can be everything.

Never a truer word spoken!! I miss the old spirit of going out after (or sometimes during) work for a beer! Count me in for any drinks

I don't really have too many contacts here as yet but we work with a couple media companies around Zurich, so will keep an ear peeled for anything.

Count me in for a meetup!!

Currently just make music but want to branch out to do scoring for film/tv.

Oh yay!! Its SO exciting to finally know there's more of us around!!

Well, is Thursday or Friday too soon??? If yes - anyday next week is also fine by me. Although, I can only make it in the evenings post 6:30pm - have to earn somehow!!

I have got my dad visiting on thursaday and friday, so next week would be better for me. Also only evenings, after about 7.

Cheers

Sam

Re this meet up - where is everyone based? Are you guys in Basel or mostly Zurich. No problem for me to come to Zurich. Only an hour away after all

Cheers

Steve

Next week would be better for me.

I'm in Zug, so a trip into Zurich isn't a problem, same for Swiss Cheddar I believe

If you buy me some flowers i will give you a lift.......