Latest videos
The Value of Slashes
by: Bill Medica - 05/14/09
The prevalence of technology has pretty much put an end to the days of the one-trick pony, at least when it comes to video production professionals. Video cameras are as common as toasters in most middle class homes. And most children are familiar with the process of shooting and editing video by the time they are 10. On the other end of the spectrum grandmas and grandpas readily shoot and edit movies of their grandkid’s birthday parties, e-mailing links to incite envy in their friends.
If you are a video professional in the video industry today and you are referring to yourself as just an editor, or just a producer, or just a writer then you are, unfortunately, a dying breed. It may sound harsh, but it is also true. Today in order to compete, it’s best for creative professionals to put slashes in their job title. Doing one thing may once have been perceived as being an expert, but now it can be looked upon as being lazy, or even worse -- a dinosaur.
Twenty years ago I used to be a producer. About ten years ago I became a writer/producer. Today I am a principal owner/executive producer/producer/writer/art director who sometimes does craft services, and in a pinch can unfold and sometimes (on a good day) fold a FlexFill. And I still feel like I should expand upon my skill set. My company, On Motion Media, is comprised of me, my business partner, and two very talented individuals who are smart enough to continually update and expand upon their skill levels. We have an individual who began his career with us as an editor. He soon added the motion graphics program After Effects to his repertoire. Now he writes and produces. We have another new hire. He started as a camera operator and now edits and does After Effects, as well as answers the phone. And he is only 22. We all sit in one big room, communicate constantly, share thoughts and ideas and continually learn from one another.
It is smart to remember our value in the marketplace comes from our unique talents and skills. The more things you do and do well, the more valuable you are. It’s really that simple. Even Stephen Spielberg does more than just direct.
If you are in the creative business, keep learning, keep growing and keep adding to your skill set and professional title. If you own a business insist that your employees constantly broaden and grow. With every slash you add to your job title, you add another reason you will be the one who is indispensable.
