Film and Video used to be synonymous to me, and I’m not talking about using a Super 8 over a DSLR, but the Film arena and Video realm as two seperate industries. I did not learn the difference unil entering the working world and realizing the high demand for video content but almost no postings for film gigs.
So what is the difference?
I like to describe the Film Industry as people in the business of planning, producing, editing and acquiring narrative or documentary pieces for educational or entertainment purposes.
The Video industry is anyone from an advertising agency, to a local bakery seeking talented video editors and planners for branded promotion.
Both share similar technical tasks like camera set up or color correction, but the jobs in each field can differ dramatically, and not every creative wants to be in both industries.
But do we have to step foot in each side?
Kinda…
Video has been blasting off for some time now with marketing groups realizing that 85% of America’s web traffic comes from video content (Karhoff, Cisco), and a potential customer is much more likely to interact with video content than block text on social media. From this, marketing and advertising houses are readily opening their doors for video makers to create quick, distinct, stunning motion graphic and filmed product use content. Postings can be found all over LinkedIn and Indeed.com seeking junior video producers and interns, but very few film companies advertise their desire for Production Assistants or DP’s. This difference surely has to do with the nature of the two industries, that being marketing as a ginormous pool in capitalist society, but film as an extended family where news travels ear to ear. From this, you can guess it is much easier to ‘enter’ the creative side of video rather than film.
So does this mean you should stop your dream of producing a semi-autobiographical rom-com-drama horror flick?
No. But it does mean you may have to enter the side of video before heading into entertainment.
The marketing and advertising world can provide you with the skills of copywriting, visual perfection, and exquisite editing experience. From being a motion graphics intern at a marketing agency, I was involved in every aspect of the creative process, I wrote, I storyboarded, I recorded and I edited. In the film world no one has this much power, it just wouldn’t be possible with such large scale productions. However, in marketing, the need for quick turn-around allows for artists to be present in all aspects of the project. And while staying in marketing was not my end goal, I was able to receive constant critique and stand behind my pieces which undoubtedly prepared me for pitching narratives to producers in the film industry.
I would suggest that any filmmaker without a foot already in the door, pursue a position in video content, you’ll learn many of the same skills involved in filmmaking before even stepping onto a set. You may not be telling the stories you want, though you will learn how to cut unnecessary elements out of your own pieces.
For filmmakers wanting to enter the video world, this process is a little more simple. Companies are always looking for freelance work and since you already have an extensive portfolio, it is not going to be an astounding leep to the other side. Additionally, high production music video work often crosses the line between branded video content and cinematic artistry, a great stepping stone into either industry.
I hope this insight allows budding creators to stress a little less about where they enter the working world, and realize the benefits of branded content as a stepping stone into film or vice versa.
- Ashton
Comments