=filmmaker and marketer going to LA?

filmmaker
New Member



Joined: 06 Jul 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:19 am

 

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Hi,

I can get letter of employment from studio in LA but I don't have "extraordinary talents" as per NAFTA agreement (no Oscars or Emmy's)

I'll be directing a movie
plus doing live seminars teaching people how to make movies
plus doing live seminars for small business and film people about marketing and speaking in public.

1. Should all of this be included on one letter - all activities

2. With the letter should I do it crossing boarder or office route and wait?

3. I have no diplomas or any formal education in any field = problems?

I want to go to LA in about 60 days

Thanks
Mike

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:40 am

 

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That sounds like two different jobs. You can only do one job per TN and it's not clear you qualify for TN-1 anyway. The "Teacher" category doesn't cover seminars, it's more for college professors to teach classes, etc. There is no TN-1 category for film directors.

Without TN-1 status you pretty much need a visa.

You don't qualify for O-1 from the sounds of it as you don't have extraordinary ability based on what you've said. If you have no formal education, getting an H-1B is basically impossible and the quota is full for the year anyway.

Even without those problems, getting a work-related visa within 60 days (especially any of the ones requiring labour certification) would be very hard.
_________________
Steve.

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filmmaker
New Member



Joined: 06 Jul 2008
Posts: 2

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:40 pm

 

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Hi,

Thanks

so it looks like I'm screwed ?

Mike

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slashgnrfan101
New Member



Joined: 25 Jun 2008
Posts: 9
Location: Los Angeles

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:23 pm

 

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Hey dude,

I'm a Canadian and I'm in the film industry too. Since I saw in your post you are directing a studio level movie, shouldn't that be enough to qualify for O-1? Since you are at that level, do you have an agent? I heard you can get a visa through one as well (especially if it's at one of the big ones who have all the power in the world) although I'm not certain.

Correct me if I'm wrong Steven, but wouldn't he be eligible for the EB-5 if he invests his directorial fees (over a million) into the project. Since all movies are set up as individual corporations, and a movie employs more than 10 people, would it work out?

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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:47 am

 

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He could, but getting EB-5 is not a casual process, certainly take a lot longer than 60 days. More like a year.

I don't think you need an Emmy to get an O-1, but you need something significant to back it up. Resumé listing significant accomplishments with supporting evidence, letters of recommendation from people in the top of the field, etc.

Frankly getting an appointment at the consulate just to present all the paperwork within 60 days is going to be tough with all the people currently applying for B-1/2 because of the new visa waiver rules, let alone the processing time.
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Steve.

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