Whats needed for a job?
 

Hey everyone,

I plan on getting a job somewhere in the video domain camerawork, post-production, whatever I can get my hands on. My question is, what qualifications do I need? Do I need to know After Effects, Combustion etc? My problem is I have no graphical design talent which makes motion graphics a problem for me. Can I get away with just knowing FCP and other NLEs?

Any direction whatsoever about anything video job related would be a goldmine for me.

Thanks in advance,

Laurence

Laurence...

My own philosophy is to learn as much as you can about the business you're in (or planning to enter). There's nothing detrimental about versatility.

While it's important to be well-rounded, it also pays to become really good at a few things. Some have the talent to excel at a lot of jobs, but most can't. In which case it's best to discover where your passion and aptitude lies and to follow that pathway.

Keep in mind that the media business is not what it used to be. Things change rapidly, both in terms of technology and the market. What used to be dominated by three major on-air networks is now split up by cable and satellite technology into a forest of cable and satellite-direct companies. How the public gets their programming is constantly shifting. And how that content is produced is evolving constantly.

Whether you're working in production or post-production, having a good idea about how stories are told is helpful, if not essential. Developing an eye for composition, color and light is also an integral part of the process. For example if you're doing composites you must have a thorough understanding of how lights and shadows interplay or what you're slaving over isn't ever going to look convincing.

Light and color can define mood. Shadows define shapes. Editing can build tension in a scene and determines pacing. And all of these helps to tell a story. It's all art.

Develop an understanding and appreciation for the craft, and you'll do well. And always keep in mind that it's not about equipment and software. The cameras and computers are only a means to an end. What truly counts is what ends up on the screen.