Production Values: Shout Out to Adland for My Nonlinear Career
It’s the single thing I love the most about Adland: there’s no career rulebook. Some people enter down conventional paths, working their way up at established companies in a linear fashion. Others, like myself, go down a slightly atypical route - starting off as a runner on set, making coffees and taking countless smoke breaks whilst locking off a road in a high vis vest…
On run-and-gun music videos is where I learnt the ropes, before venturing sideways into the world of content. Each move felt as weighty as the last, and my first commercial was equally as stressful as my first music video. But it wasn’t long before I realised something. I was far better at chatting than logistics. I wanted to know what people were shooting, who with, and how I could help. Almost a little obsessively. Luckily for me, Adland is home to the humble ‘EP’ title.
I must admit, before my recent move to Electric Studios, I never thought much about venturing into post-production. It always felt kinda alien, reserved only for ‘tech wizards’ and ‘pixel pushers’. But that’s the thing about our industry. It accepts and embraces movement. We’ve seen incredible agency creatives sign as directors at top production studios. Production producers move on to post houses. It’s daunting, definitely, and it takes bravery, for sure. The dreaded ‘imposter syndrome’ haunts many of us and it can take a while to adapt to new processes. But if you are someone who is willing to make mistakes and can own them when you do, then making that jump is far less challenging of a task.
Since starting my new gig, a lot of people have asked me, ‘What’s it like?’ ‘Do you feel like you’re starting at the beginning again?’ And the truth is: no, I don’t. My experience with live action has helped no end with my new-found understanding of all things animation and we’re fortunate to be in an industry where so many of our skills are transferable. I suppose, in some ways, this article is a love letter to Adland.
What I’m trying to say is: don’t stay still. Not forever, anyway. Don’t get hemmed down in trying to work out the right move, the best company or the correct steps. When you find an area of expertise you enjoy, stick at it for a while. But don’t be afraid to move on. Afterall, any book on ‘advertising 101’ will offer three key nuggets: Don’t lose money. Maintain creative integrity. Keep clients happy. It’s a trio that transpires the entire industry, no matter which side of the fence you’re talking from.
