Tag Archives: business

Definitions

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The switches and valves of a locomotive.

What if you woke up one day and everything you knew about what you do for a living – was different?

The physical, tangible things that you know have just been renamed.  The services you use for work life support now mean and do something else.  As part of a team or crew, your tasks have now changed too.  Everything in the business you’ve always known has a new name – and definition.

As a working professional within the production of commercial images, and some days struggling to find the best match of projects, career equity, and a moderate income – this question provides an aim toward the location of the answers.  Yes, this post is a tad subjective to marketplace and position.  Some of you may be so busy, you couldn’t give a flying.  If you’re stupid busy, you’re not reading this.

Most businesses experience change in their lifetimes and you need to adapt with them. But with our industry as a paradigm having been so altered, many of the people, titles, processes, paperwork, tools, and technology – dressed as latest-greatest meets previously-used hybrids – have become unrecognizable.  Theories aplenty are spewed daily about how the creative industry can be better and how we can ALL thrive – not just survive.  Some colleagues retort of the obvious missed basics of business.

  • “If your product is good, people will pay.” 
  • “If your process is smooth, clients will return.” 
  • “Build value.” 
  • “Provide a return on investment.”

I agree with all of these practices in an industry where the buyer knows the definition of these things.  But in a business cycle of good-enough, project award decision-making is reflecting nepotism, and best lowest price;  skills, experience, craft (?), mindset, and client services are rarely part of that conversation.

It wasn’t always like this.

I try to remain idealistic about the latter elements still hanging on and in some circles, still being required.  Yet I continue to experience their decline and disinterest on new projects.  I speak of the basics of loyalty, communication, being on time.  Perhaps some of the big picture answers are located near the fact that standard operating procedures in our industry were never ever – defined.

Your thoughts?

Photos / words are COPYRIGHT Jamie Vesay 2012-2013  USE OF ANY material requires permission.

What’s Next?

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Many people ask me about the current state of the film production business and print photography.  And often business in general.  Well, the short answer is – if I knew those answers, I would be in the business of predicting the future (for which I would charge a ridiculously high fee).

In film production, it wasn’t that long ago when it felt like a tight community.  A semi exclusive club that     was held in somewhat of a higher regard.  Respected and respectful.  Proud.  Entry was earned through dues paid, who you knew, and even the occasional resume got you work.  You were the envy of those who aspired to be like you.  Those who wanted in asked the questions.  How do you do that?  How can I be a part of it?

Things are different these days.

Change as they say, whether good or bad, affects everybody’s world in different ways.  When change happens, gradually or suddenly, adjustments must be made to continue on.  Especially, if you are doing what you love or hope to be doing, but now there are different rules.  Read that line again.

It’s easy to blame the technology, the economy, or the new generation.  The facts are, the process has been tweaked, the budgets are smaller, and the process is all – different.   Yes my friends.  It is.  I have heard these times described as the most exciting and the most scary – at the same time.

But what are our choices?

I don’t have the answers to what is next.  Nobody does.  But until they come, I would put this out there to my colleagues.  Change for your own better.  Adjust your paths as they narrow.  Consider alternate revenue streams – now.  And expand your view of where you are and where you want to go.

You can still be a part of it or watch it all go by from the next scenic overlook.

Photos and words COPYRIGHT Jamie Vesay 2012  ANY USE requires permission.