Anyone from Montana?

[chadritt]

Somehow Ive managed to get a reputation as someone willing to take jobs out of state, which is actually kind of cool, and I was just asked if I would be willing to be considered for a 3 - 4 month job in Missoula Montana. I know virtually nothing about Montana so I was wondering if anyone here could tell me what I might be signing up.

Im assuming the weather is going to be fairly cold, certainly colder than in LA, so I would need to buy something warmer than my hoodie but other than that Id love input. What kind of stuff is there to do in Missoula and what sort of things do I need to make sure I have? i.e. a car.

[JediKooter]

My mom and step dad live in Billings. It's cold and it's very windy during the winter. Looks like Missoula is up against the Rockies, so I would imagine plenty of snow, so definitely bring some insulated underwear and water proof boots and heavy jacket. Not sure if you're working inside or outside though. A car should be fine, but, don't expect to get around too much until they've plowed the roads, unless you have chains on.

Another thing is, the pace of things. It's a lot slower than California, so don't expect things done right away. Weather aside, traffic moves at a bit of a slower pace too. People are friendly and a bit on the conservative side. Not saying that's a bad thing, but, if you aren't used to it, it may be a shock.

I think there's a college there, so if you're single, have fun!

[Peregrine]

University of Montana is in Missoula - and is a pretty large percentage of the population since it's a pretty small place - I've only been there once though so can't provide much more info.

[molson]

I've been there once - it's a great college town - great bars and restaurants, the downtown is busy enough and has all the essentials.....pretty much nothing outside the city though, of course. If you're into fishing/hiking/skiing/hunting/etc, you'll be in heaven. If not, you'll be OK if you're at least into beer.

[Young Drachma]

Missoula is great, I mean...in the sense that it's not Miles City or something. You are gonna need more than a hoodie though and a car is a necessity out here because while the Mountain Line will get you around Missoula, it's not going to get you anywhere else you want to go should you decide you're interested in driving someplace outside of the area. It's pretty remote to get anywhere else, but if it's only for a few months (albeit in the winter) it'll be all right as far as western outposts go, I guess.

[CU Tiger]

Im assuming the weather is going to be fairly cold, certainly colder than in LA, so I would need to buy something warmer than my hoodie but other than that Id love input. What kind of stuff is there to do in Missoula and what sort of things do I need to make sure I have? i.e. a car.

Try brutally cold in late November with 5+' snow banks.
Heck i wouldnt want to be there without a truck and a 4wd one at that.

I have a cool ass pictue I took about 25 miles outside of Missoula of a cow waling up a snow bank and out of a barbed wire fenced pasture.

[molson]

Try brutally cold in late November with 5+' snow banks.
Heck i wouldnt want to be there without a truck and a 4wd one at that.

I have a cool ass pictue I took about 25 miles outside of Missoula of a cow waling up a snow bank and out of a barbed wire fenced pasture.

Ya, I think if you're hunkering down in the winter for a few months in Missoula you ain't leaving except for a VERY good reason....which makes it kind of fun I think, I think there's that spirit there of being the only civilization for quite a while. That leeds to beer drinking and college broads settling for whatever's in town.

[chadritt]

My assumption is that I will spend most of my time in Missoula if this happens so its nice to know its a real city and that I would have stuff to do there on weekends. I just got back from working in the smallest town Ive ever even seen, Venice Louisiana, and most things to do were a couple of hours away. My biggest concern is probably the weather. I lived in boston for 3 years in college but that was almost 10 years ago so I havent dealt with snow in a long time.

Im curious enough that I hope this happens, I think its pretty cool I might get a chance to live somewhere I never would've been otherwise and not only get paid but likely get set up with an apartment while im there.

[sooner333]

I've driven through Missoula on a road trip on the way back from Northern Idaho and although I was just on the interstate overlooking the town, it looked like a pretty cool place and I wished we had stopped to take a look. That's not as helpful as some of the others' thoughts, I know, but take it for what it's worth.

I'm sure you'll be used to the slow pace of getting things done from Venice, Louisiana. Is it some kind of oil/natural gas work?

[sterlingice]

Im assuming the weather is going to be fairly cold, certainly colder than in LA, so I would need to buy something warmer than my hoodie but other than that Id love input.

Ok, so I've never been to Montana in the winter but I have been to Wisconsin and this line is pure comedy gold :D

SI

[chadritt]

I've driven through Missoula on a road trip on the way back from Northern Idaho and although I was just on the interstate overlooking the town, it looked like a pretty cool place and I wished we had stopped to take a look. That's not as helpful as some of the others' thoughts, I know, but take it for what it's worth.

I'm sure you'll be used to the slow pace of getting things done from Venice, Louisiana. Is it some kind of oil/natural gas work?

Oddly enough theyre both for Television shows. In venice I was on location as a tech consultant and there is a post production house in Montana that might want me to come in as an editor for a few months.

[chadritt]

Ok, so I've never been to Montana in the winter but I have been to Wisconsin and this line is pure comedy gold :D

SI

Yeah, i decided to go for an understatement on that one. I mean....its a heavy hoodie but still.

[JediKooter]

Oddly enough theyre both for Television shows. In venice I was on location as a tech consultant and there is a post production house in Montana that might want me to come in as an editor for a few months.

Awesome!

[RomaGoth]

That leeds to beer drinking and college broads settling for whatever's in town.

I had so many comments for this that my head actually exploded. :D

[TroyF]

I've been in Missoula multiple times.

The traffic on the main couple of streets will surprise you. Plenty of things to do. Cold as hell. I mean COLD.

It's about 1 and 1/2 hours to Flathead Lake. Unbelievable scenery.

3 hours by car will get you to Cour d' Alene, ID It's a resort town with some really good places to eat and nice scenery as well.

I could think of worse places to be at for a few months.

[sterlingice]

Someone I know posted this on Facebook today and it made me think of this thread:
http://youtu.be/HyLMwzDR4qY

SI

[Honolulu_Blue]

This guy wishes he could have seen Montana:

http://www.ibiblio.org/samneill/pictures/hfro/215downangle.jpg

[chadritt]

I should probably give an update. I will not be going to Montana, at least not now and quite possibly never. The guy interviewing me neglected to mention that the program they use to edit is Final Cut Pro which is far from the industry standard here in LA. I actually have yet to work on a show which actually used it, though I know there are a few. I was at the point where we had already chosen my hotel and rental car I would receive while up there before anyone figured this out and since my FCP experience is slightly too limited for this particular job everything fell apart and I received a phone call apology from the president of the company.

Its a bummer, I was looking forward to working somewhere new and I think I was a good fit for the show, but not a huge deal in the end. It was very strange though and I am fairly certain the person who interviewed me got a stern talking to if not much worse since it was a fairly important piece of information that he left out.

[Rizon]

Hunting.
And a snow shovel.

That's it.