One Head Many Hats

Recently, I attended an excellent HD Workshop & Mini-Expo presented by Digital CONNtent Creators http://www.digitalct.org/ at Tripeg Studios in Hamden, CT. This event was very informative and I am still amazed by how rapidly the technology in our industry evolves and grows. There is no question that in order to survive these changes you must understand and embrace them, so thanks to Keith Larsen and the rest of the crew that put this show together. This November marks my 25th anniversary in this industry and throughout my career I’ve witnessed the many changes in the tools we use to do our jobs, but how we do it remains the same. The expertise we employ, lighting directing, scriptwriting, producing, editing have changed little over the years, and it is these skills that we need to be continually honing and refining. While it is important to remain current with the tech used in our industry, knowing how to effectively apply our talent and creative nature to the project is still the most valuable asset we have. Having a hammer does not make you a carpenter. The brush is the tool that allows the artist to create. So as you grow your tech, remember to grow your talent.

I asked Keith Larsen to add to my thoughts;

Keith Larsen: That talent has now become the idea of being a “jack of all trades”. While in the past, it seemed a detriment to you as a professional to strive for expertise in every facet of production, you now must be prepared to do exactly that. In a struggling economy, the modern client seeks the one-man band. The one-stop shop, and “good enough” is the mantra ringing through edit suites from coast-to-coast as clients seek ways to get what they need at prices lower than they paid out in the past. So, as you now take on the multiple roles of producer/director/shooter/editor/compressionist, you must hone your creative talent, business acumen, and technological prowess in order to survive. Finding the balance? That’s up to you.