OK, this is a bit personal and very embarassing. I am asking this here, because this is the friendliest potentially relevant forum I know, but if this is not the right place to discuss such questions, please delete this thread. (Or let me know and I'll delete it myself if I have the rights to do that)

Here is the situation: I would llike to switch my career and become (eventually) a production designer/art director for film, video, tv, etc.

The fun bit is that my present profession, education and official working experience is in programming.

I have some artistic education. My Carrara/3d/digital graphics skills (which may or may not be relevant) can be seen in my gallery here. And recently I did production design for 2 very small video projects (for friends). Both projects are still in production/post-production.

I would like to find some people who could help me realistically evaluate my options and skills. I need to know what skills I'm missing and what I need to be learning/studying/perfecting. It would be even better if someone could refer me to places/positions(or position searching sites), which would help me get relevant experience and learn the skills that I'm missing. I need to know what positions I can be eligible for, what types of resumes/CV's/portfolios such positions normally require, etc. In short, I have a lot of questions and no answers at this point.

I would very much appreciate any answers. Or if you know people who could have the answers I'm looking for, please help me get in touch with them (I live in NYC, if that's relevant), since I don't have any contacts in the industry whatsoever.

Thank you. (And please let me know if this topic should be removed from this Forum)