CREDIBILITY

Do you have a brochure you can send to me? 
To keep printing and mailing costs down so our placement fees can continue to be affordable, we do not provide a brochure.  In addition, we have made the conscious decision not to utilize paper resources since all of our information is available to you on our website.  If you have any problems printing out directly from our site, please let us know.

You may also find out more about our program and the industries you are interested in by reading some of our past newsletters for apprentice progress reports, success stories and mentor profiles. Click here to browse through our newsletter archive.

How do I know you are an ethical and reputable company?
We encourage you to be well informed about us or any company you deal with, especially on the internet.  Although we are not a member, our present rating with the LABBB.ORG is described as such:

A good rating. We would expect nothing less than a satisfactory business transaction, but read our full report to determine if you have any questions or concerns.

Our organization provides a unique, individualized, and valuable service by helping to make dreams come true in creative and very challenging fields. Our students have been advised that disappointment, discouragement, and uncertainty are to be expected as part of the process, but well worth the rewards.

In our 7-year history with the LABBB.ORG, we have had 13 complaints.  Considering the territory, that complaint number is amazing.  Since January 2005, we have had no complaints and only one complaint (now fully satisfied) from a paid in full applicant in 5 years - since 2002.

To obtain a report on our LABBB.ORG history and for a more detailed explanation of the information contained in our report, click here.

This sounds too good to be true -- "what's the catch?"
Our program is good, no doubt.  We provide you with the best possible circumstances to gain experience and employment prospects.  But the rest is up to you, and it won’t come without work and commitment.  And even then there are no guarantees. That’s the catch. 

You must show the desire, motivation, and perseverance to take full advantage of the opportunities that our training program and your mentor can offer.   And you must do it all while keeping up a mature and positive attitude with realistic expectations.

Do you have a list of references I can call? 
Yes, we have references you can contact. After a preliminary, no obligation application is received (where we also get a little bit of information about who you are) you will be able to ask all your questions in a phone interview and can be supplied with the additional information you need to confirm the validity of our program.   You are also invited to request more bios, interview reports, progress reports, and success stories on our apprentices and mentors.   You may also subscribe to our newsletter here.

PROGRAM BASICS

What exactly is an apprenticeship? 
An apprenticeship is your own personal one-on-one training program, where you learn on the job, gaining hands-on experience from your Mentor (your teacher).  Your mentor is a successful professional in the industry or occupation that is your goal.   An apprenticeship is your opportunity for you to show your talents and get that invaluable foot in the door to start your career.   Your training is done one-on-one in a recording studio, radio station, or film/video production company in your area.

What’s the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship? 
Interns are usually college students (and on occasion high school students).  Since most internships provide college credits, anyone who is not a college student is usually not eligible.   You also would be in the same arena competing with other interns at the same station, studio or film company.

How long is the apprenticeship?
On average, your training can be completed in 6-10 months, but is flexible and geared toward your individual pace and you and your mentor’s schedule, time constraints and circumstances.  There are no minimum or maximum required hours per week that must be adhered to; each mentor and apprentice relationship, schedule, and 'curriculum', to an extent, is unique.

Where are you located?  I live in Canada—do you have mentors here?  Do I have to move to Hollywood or New York? 
Although we are headquartered in Hollywood, California, we find you a mentor in your area.  There are plenty of professionals outside of the two entertainment meccas on the east and west coasts of the U.S., not to mention Canada and abroad.   We will match you with a mentor in the city of your choice, but as a rule we recommend that you train in your local area. This reduces the stress and expense that goes with moving, a new job, a new home, etc.  

Do I get set up with a mentor sight unseen?  How do I know that my mentor and I are a good match?  
You will have active participation and input on who your mentor is; we are open and flexible to your needs and desires.  You will have an interview with your potential mentor before any apprenticeship is agreed upon and usually a grand tour of the radio station, recording studio, or film/video company takes place.  Some of these “interviews” have lasted over an hour.  At times it’s a “getting to know you, shoot the breeze” meeting.  Other times, the interview has segued into a daylong involvement in a film shoot or getting to observe a bit of studio recording in action.

Our Service Agreement also dictates that if something goes wrong at any time (compatibility, schedules, your mentor moves away) or other reasons arise that are beyond your control – we will find you a new mentor at no additional charge.

If I’m interested in filmmaking, why shouldn’t I just get a Production Assistant (PA) position instead? 
In a perfect world, anyone who wishes to become a PA would be able to find a position with little or no problem.  The reality is that is not always the case.  There are thousands of individuals looking for a foot in the door of these competitive industries. 

What happens to the individual who is looking for a second chance to fulfill their dream?  What about those who put their dream on hold while they attended to family crises or financial concerns and is now past the age of the “normal” intern or PA?  Or the individual who is subject to competing for a position with a V.P.’s son or daughter, the producer’s friend’s nanny’s sister, or the Executive’s driver’s brother, etc.  What if that person doesn’t have the network available to him/her and wants to leap frog the competition?  What happens to that individual’s dream when they can’t land a PA position?  What would be their next course of action?  Do they let go of their dream or do they have another option?  We provide them with that option.

Do you offer government financial assistance or scholarships?
Since we are not a traditional school, our placement fees are not covered by GI bills, student loans, or scholarships.   However, we are sensitive to financial constraints and can counsel you on obtaining outside financing.   We also have our own payment plan to help you with spreading out your placement fee in monthly increments.

Can I get paid while apprenticing? 
There are instances whereby an apprentice could receive pay during his training period, but that is up to the individual mentor and his company and the specific projects involved—whether he/she is at a recording studio, radio station, or film production company

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM QUALIFIED?

I have no experience.  Will that disqualify me? 
Not at all.  In fact, the majority of our applicants and enrollees do not have any experience in the program of their choice.  For example, some of our recording students have never stepped foot in a studio but are astute music lovers.   Our apprenticeships usually involve beginning duties, as many of the trainees are relatively new to the business.  You need not have prior experience to be accepted into the program.

What does qualify me for enrollment? 
Desire, motivation, dedication, commitment, persistence, initiative, maturity, a willingness to work hard, having realistic expectations and a good attitude are foremost in whether someone gets accepted into our program.   Whether you made good grades in high school is not a deciding factor.   Frankly, just you knowing that you "have what it takes" to be accepted into our program can be the key.   Of course, we have to agree with you, but that's where an interview comes in.

I’m about to graduate from high school.  Am I too young? 
We speak to the parents of our enrollees who are under the age of 18.  If your parents are in agreement and if you are emotionally mature to take on the challenges of an apprenticeship, then we will not decline your registration.  Our minimum age for enrollment is 16.  We do consider that young, but we have had some exceptions. We had someone apply and enroll at 15, and he was exceptionally mature and motivated.  He was accepted and performed well during his training.  Immediately upon graduation of high school he was hired at his training radio station.  

I’m 51.  I’ve always been told I have a great radio voice.  Am I too old?  
You’re as young as you feel.  We have a 67 year old film student and also recently a 51 year old radio student.  

WHY GETAMENTOR INSTEAD OF COLLEGE,  FILM SCHOOL, OR
SPECIALTY RECORDING OR BROADCAST SCHOOLS?  

Why is your program better than going to school? 
Our program has none of the constraints of a classroom.  Your “classroom” is the actual jobsite. You train with working professionals and are a part of the day-to-day highs and lows of the business.  You are exposed to real-world situations (not mock-ups) and you get to nurture a network of contacts.  You work at your pace around your own job and personal schedule.   And the GetAMentor program is a fraction of the cost of college or Film/Recording/Radio schools.

PROGRAM COMPLETION

Is there a guarantee of a job once my apprenticeship is done? 
There is no guarantee that your mentor will be able to hire you at the completion of your training.  However, what you gain is much more important.  You gain a chance to build your resume, an ally within the industry, other contacts you have made through your training, and if you have impressed your mentor, you gain ground over an unproven applicant.  

Will I get some kind of documentation of my participation in your program? 
Yes.  You will receive a Certificate of Completion.  However, what you gain will prove far more valuable than a  ‘diploma’

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mailing address:
Apprentice-Mentor Association
7095 Hollywood Blvd #325
Hollywood, CA
(323) 512-2321
contactus@getamentor.com

THINKING OF MENTORING?

What are the benefits of becoming a mentor? 
The fact that you get remuneration for your work with an apprentice is only a part of it. Apprenticeships help you stay competitive by developing the kind of people your business needs for the future.  It brings enthusiastic “can do” people into your workforce and  is an opportunity for  you to “give back to the industry”

For more details, visit our MENTOR section.