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What is my job title?
What a strange question. Particularly for a guy who has been around for a while before getting into video. My background is in print and web as a graphic designer/art director/creative director.
I was hired by my current company in 2006 do design web portals, but as needs changed, I was asked if I would like to get into doing video work for the company. Something I had always wanted to do, but only had knowledge of from running in a parallel industry.
I have worked my behind off. Learned the software, learned the techniques (still learning as you may notice from my previous posts). Now I storyboard, I do some script writing (minimal), I shoot the video (on location and in a small studio I set up), I direct, I do sound, I do the editing, I do the final delivery online and DVD. I still do web and print work as well. I pretty much work through every piece of Adobe’s Master collection.
At the end of the day, I do a lot of stuff… Art director, editor, designer, videographer,creative technology specialist?
But what am I? I really need to get my career under control. Can you provide some insight? Thanks!
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11 Replies
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Meant with some seriousness, and a measure of tongue-in-cheek.
I would venture to say that you are a ‘producer’. A producer assembles the assets required to make a film/video. There is no law saying that if you are assembling yourself to be those assets, that you aren’t the producer. You may also be a director, a videographer, an editor, a PA, or a scriptwriter, but at the top of that heap is the producer, so go with it. Some producers also shoot, edit and write scripts. Heck, I’ve even seen a producer carry equipment! However, no producer would ever introduce themselves as a videographer, or editor, or a grip.
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creative illusions Productions -
Lol! Well… I definately carry all of the equipment myself! I wish I had someone to carry it for me!
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Filmmaker? Single Person Crew?
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Producer or production specialist sounds about right. The less specific the title, the better: it gives you more room for responsibilities as well as salary.
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You’re a “Producer”. I am in the same boat, though list “Video Production” under my name on my business card, as I’m involved with the full spectrum of video production through my work.
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Don’t feel bad Mike- you and I sound like we’re in almost the same exact boat. I work in corporate marketing, and was brought onto a team as a sr. level graphic designer. Now in addition to my normal duties, I handle every single aspect of all of our in-house multimedia production other than serious camera work and only assist at times with script-writing. My title at work is still “graphic designer”. 😉
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Mike –
I’m in much the same position as you are – I earned a living as a musician for many years, then moved into the advertising field, as a writer, voice over talent, and producer (also working as grip on film shoots, and wherever else I was needed – it was a small agency). From there I was hired as creative director at a small TV production facility – I did sales, and then produced, directed, and sometimes shot, the productions. Next I owned a small agency with a partner – we did advertising in general, but I brought in industrial video productions regularly, and we also owned a four track recording studio, where I engineered as well. From there it was to writing and producing a weekly cable show on computers and software, then as an art director for fourteen years at a broadcast station. I now own my own one-man production house, and I just call myself Owner/Creative Director, then list all of the services I can provide. It’s a lot easier than the “slash” method. Art Director/Animator/Videographer/Photographer/Designer/Producer/Writer/etc. – the catch all was the best I could come up with.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
I am thinking of coming up with one of those hip and trendy bull crap titles that the hot new ad agencies use these days… What do you think of “Chief Friction Arrester?”
It is kind of frustrating because, as you all know having been in the business for a while, you want to be paid what you are worth. I also want a title that matches what I do. They still refer to me as the “GUI Guy” (pronounced “gooey guy”) even after working in my present position for seven years… and doing much less web work these days. Don’t get me wrong, I like what I do and who I do it for, but with an industry that can be volatile I think it would be foolish not to keep my personal marketing in good shape incase something bad happened. And yes, I am not as optimistic as I would like to be, but I prefer to think of myself as a Boy Scout… Always prepared.
The “elevator speech” needs work. When someone asks what I do, I chuckle and ask them if they have some time.
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That’s one great, meaningless title! Here’s a way you can come up with more, and with no creative effort:
https://www.bullshitjob.com/title/
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
The best title (self inflicted one too) for someone in the creative world so far, was one that I told my boss I wanted to steal and use as my own official title in the company I work for: “Chief Solutionist”. That sums it up just about right.
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