You are a paid writer/screenwriter/columnist/blogger. What can you tell me about how to best break into this profession? [more inside]
posted by the NATURAL on Oct 12, 2009 - 13 answers

What proportion of leather comes from animals whose other parts are ultimately consumed by humans for food? What proportion of leather-bearing food animals' skins are ultimately made into leather? How would i find out? [more inside]
posted by dkg on Oct 9, 2009 - 6 answers

Do you know of any industry specific public online forums where insiders discuss common problems or share helpful tips? [more inside]
posted by Diddly on Sep 9, 2009 - 12 answers

Do video game industry non-compete agreements typically prevent their employees from working on and releasing small games in their own time? I'm thinking of all employees, including developers, testers, designers, managers, and artists.
posted by ignignokt on Jul 9, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm a full-time film editor and occasional composer in Vancouver, about to move to Toronto. My main work has been TV movies and short films. Because I don't have a job lined up there, I'll need to network. I also enjoy collaborating, and would love to make some new acquaintances -- I don't know many people in TO. Can anyone think of resources, groups, or organizations in Toronto that might help me achieve these goals? [more inside]
posted by gonna get a dog on Jun 16, 2009 - 3 answers

I want a PhD in Mathematics, but I do not want to stay in academia. Is it worth it? [more inside]
posted by alligatorman on Jun 14, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there more car salespeople than automobile manufacturing people in the United States? [more inside]
posted by cinemafiend on Jun 1, 2009 - 5 answers

How does American Apparel make money? [more inside]
posted by abirae on May 27, 2009 - 10 answers

Looking for examples of creative, modern industrial architecture. [more inside]
posted by lou on Mar 28, 2009 - 9 answers

With the current financial crisis highlighting corruption within the banking and auto industries, I'm starting to wonder about other industries that might be a little below the radar. What industries are generally corrupt? [more inside]
posted by roxegirl on Mar 3, 2009 - 26 answers

How to crack into the nonprofit sector? [more inside]
posted by cranberrymonger on Nov 30, 2008 - 14 answers

CareerFilter: I will be finishing my BS in Computer Science in 2-3 years. What industries will likely offer the best earnings potential and interesting work to a software engineer, and how do I improve my attractiveness as a potential hire to those industries? [more inside]
posted by [user was fined for this post] on Nov 24, 2008 - 6 answers

Wanting to leave academia after astrophysics PhD (oscillations in atmospheres of rotating starts, planets and discs). Need some feedback, tags, hints, keywords, that I should search in google and some suggestions of where my skills (look in the extended explanation) would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by gradstu1980 on Nov 9, 2008 - 11 answers

Talented people making high quality goods (belts, wooden objects, pens, misc leather items , clothes, manuscript books, etc) at reasonable prices. [more inside]
posted by dance on Oct 20, 2008 - 11 answers

"In order to feasibly produce, say, transparent adhesive tape, integrated circuits or sugar-free soft drinks, you need such-and-such materials and such-and-such equipment, which in turn depend on other things, all the way down to ores and fuel and such. So if you want to build your very own set of night vision goggles from scratch, here's everything you need access to in order to get started" Has anyone compiled, for the public to see, anything resembling a real-life 'tech-tree', akin to what's found in computer games such as Civilization? [more inside]
posted by Anything on Oct 19, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm about to begin work at a medical device company (as a paralegal) and would like an introductory book on the subject. I've scoured Amazon, but haven't found anything that's a general overview, with chapters on history, business climate, FDA and regulatory issues, litigation -- just a smattering of everything, with perhaps emphasis on legal / regulatory. Most books are more specialized. Or are there websites or white papers along these lines? Recommendations, please!
posted by nancoix on Aug 1, 2008 - 2 answers

AskMe Reference Desk: Pre-industrial production and trade of leather and leather goods - how did it work? [more inside]
posted by CKmtl on Jul 6, 2008 - 5 answers

how does a newcomer break into the nashville music industry? and how long does it usually take a newbie songwriter to be taken seriously?
posted by locoindio on Jun 2, 2008 - 9 answers

People often say: "The best way to make a small fortune in [insert industry here] is to start with a large one" Who first came up with this joke, and what industry was the joke originally about?
posted by Kevin A on May 16, 2008 - 16 answers

What do pornographers know that we don't? Namely, how to convince people to have sex on camera for not much money? [more inside]
posted by penciltopper on Apr 28, 2008 - 39 answers

How do financial dominatrices make their money? [more inside]
posted by divabat on Apr 23, 2008 - 9 answers

Interesting careers with a social sciences PhD? / Talk me out of grad school! [more inside]
posted by Sock Muppet Acct! on Mar 1, 2008 - 13 answers

I need to write a twenty page paper about the economic and social situation of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, a dying rust-belt steel town. Is there a Coatesville expert in the room? Someone who grew up there? Someone who spent time there or did business there? I need your expertise, or at the very least access to resources that might not be readily apparent to me. [more inside]
posted by deafmute on Feb 10, 2008 - 6 answers

So I accepted this compliance job in the life insurance/annuities industry. I'm happy I've done it but I want to know about my expected career trajectory. [more inside]
posted by notjustfoxybrown on Jan 17, 2008 - 2 answers

(Possibly Advanced) Economics Filter: How does new value created by industry and economy become money? [more inside]
posted by SlyBevel on Dec 28, 2007 - 32 answers

Research Filter: How and when did Apple become so popular? [more inside]
posted by InsanePenguin on Nov 5, 2007 - 32 answers

I am a new college dropout. The whole incident behind it came as a total shock. I've messed up, I'm lost, and I'm not sure what to do. Naturally, there's a lot more inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 4, 2007 - 45 answers

I want to find work as a film editor in the UK. Would it be better to find a permanent job, or freelance? Would I need an agent? If so, do you have any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by mooza on Oct 5, 2007 - 2 answers

What is the relationship between legitimate (?) "naturism/nudism" lifestyles and the pseudo-child-porn industry? [more inside]
posted by crabintheocean on Sep 22, 2007 - 18 answers

How do I find out how many domestic Combined Cycle power plants there are? [more inside]
posted by BigSky on May 18, 2007 - 6 answers

How to become an independent radio promoter or an "indie"? [more inside]
posted by Freecola on May 2, 2007 - 3 answers

Is there a big list (with general descriptions, optional) of jobs in the death industry? [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold on Mar 2, 2007 - 9 answers

Can anyone point to a link that lists the yearly economic value, in billions, of major industries? [more inside]
posted by sonicbloom on Jan 10, 2007 - 5 answers

How to create a real time 3D simulation of an industrial plant ? [more inside]
posted by vincentm on Jan 1, 2007 - 10 answers

Can a barebones film concept be shopped to screenwriters? [more inside]
posted by swiffa on Dec 19, 2006 - 14 answers

Dream job in the wrong place at the wrong time. Previously on FlamingBore's questions: You'll remember I was looking at relocating to Portland, OR for a lucrative job being tailor made for me. Then it fell through. [more inside]
posted by FlamingBore on Dec 19, 2006 - 13 answers

Is this the right way to write to a Los Angeles-based potential client in the entertainment industry? [more inside]
posted by amusem on Dec 18, 2006 - 6 answers

Does the music industry sponsor spyware companies ? [more inside]
posted by jacobean on Sep 29, 2006 - 5 answers

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of materials like glass, concrete, wood, and plastics, compared to steel ? [more inside]
posted by vincentm on Sep 26, 2006 - 21 answers

My friend is interested in getting into the music management industry without experience. [more inside]
posted by junesix on Jul 24, 2006 - 9 answers

I told the CEO of my company that it was time to talk "exit plan" a week ago. In the interim I'm at an industry convention... [more inside]
posted by FlamingBore on Jul 18, 2006 - 6 answers

Are there any online resources that would tell me what percent of Americans have a certain brand of credit card? Like an industry group site or a government site? Thanks
posted by punkfloyd on May 31, 2006 - 6 answers

I'm looking for video blogs that discuss the entertainment industry (film, music, stage, video games). [more inside]
posted by amusem on Apr 21, 2006 - 7 answers

Are there any other companies that have fooled as many people as De Beers? [more inside]
posted by petsounds on Mar 27, 2006 - 59 answers

How does one go about creating an trade association? [more inside]
posted by oissubke on Mar 16, 2006 - 3 answers

How can I best avoid an IRS audit? My occupation may complicate things: I’m a professional in the adult entertainment industry with a job that is legal (but often perceived as illegal) and an entirely cash-based business. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 11, 2006 - 20 answers

I'd like to find a webpage or document that consolidate the number of employees and the revenues of the biggest corporations in the world. Where can I find an easy to read page like this ? Wikipedia have all the information but you have to browse from an article to another...
posted by vincentm on Jan 10, 2006 - 3 answers

What are the best online resources for finding local companies in selected industries in the UK?
posted by srboisvert on Nov 14, 2005 - 8 answers

My company has been propositioned by a Canadian film company to use approximately 2500sq.ft (a lab, our main hallway, lunchroom and boardroom) for a TV mini-series. They will be working around our staff, during the day. They anticipate 5 days of filming, with a couple of days of prep-time. How much should we expect to be offered? Any realistic number would help before we go into negotiations. Thanks
posted by strangelove on Sep 28, 2005 - 6 answers

How can one get the United Talent Agency weekly job list? [more inside]
posted by blueneurosis on Jul 21, 2005 - 3 answers