"Presentation of such professionalism, knowledge and comprehension of
THINGS from both sides of the professional/consumer fence, fairly
expressed is what continues to propagate the "education" process to the
uninitiated."
Though I worked in the corporate and educational environments first, I didn't really become a professional until my tours in the Service. Whatever it takes to make the jump from amateur to pro in my my eyes is worth the transition. In this biz at the pro level, "You're only good as your latest project" is on point.
Turning out an unprofessional looking product is and should be a terrible prospect to anyone who would consider themselves a pro. Granted, 'the work speaks for itself' but you also have to 'walk the walk' too! It amazes me how those of us in the business lack the basics in customer service and how to conduct one's self in a businesslike manner.
I've had potential clients who had me wanting to stick a 'spork' in their eye with their outlandishness to try and cover the fact they had no clue and figured intimidating me would get them a better deal. Needless to say, not only did such client's not get a deal, they never once got the impression that their ridiculous tactics had no effect. On the other hand, I generally will go out of my way for my regular clients when possible and they know it. Anyone who has ever worked for me knows it too.
The cool thing about this business is you can make a fine living at it without ripping anyone off. Though it can be seriously hard work at times (18 hour days as an Exec prod/Director/DP on a feature for weeks or months) but even on jobs that I sometimes ask 'why the hell did I take this gig?' I still have to laugh because somebody is paying me to do it!
One of the things that attracted me to VM's forums is the fact that there are a good number of pro's and semi-pro's who no matter what their angle do their best to point the ammy's and intermediates in the right direction. Some of us are irritatingly harsh or nurturing, but rarely have I ever seen anyone just dump a load of fecal matter and expect anyone to buy off on it.
Our business is a strange and relatively thankless one. Everyone lauds the actor, the athlete, the politician and so on but takes no time to recognize those people would be nothing without us. One thing that I do think has helped some is the constant stream of 'making of videos' that accompany movies and such. Audiences do get a behind the scenes look, but still they aren't concerned with the people who actually make the movies, television shows and sporting events they love.
I guess it's kind of like that old 'BASF' commercial; "Not only do we make the things you watch, we make the things you watch better!" Prob is; all that 'making better' costs money and our worst detractor unfortunately is YouTube. Because anyone with a camera can 'make a movie' and have it seen there, the 'Democratizing' of the video industry is a great thing and a PIA!
Now everyone not seriously involved in the business of making videos has the impression that all it takes is a little happy cam like their 'Uncle Bob' uses for family outings to make a great product. Forget the fact that 'Uncle Bob' can't shoot his way out of a wet paper bag, let alone properly light, gather clean audio or God forbid actually edit his footage with anything beyond iMovie or Movie Maker!
Being a professional videographer or filmmaker is not much different than being a professional mercenary. The last thing a client wants when the 'fhit hits the san' on their project is some yahoo who doesn't know the tools, the craft or the business of bringing in a project on time and on budget. That's why when I meet 'time-wasters' on sales calls, I wish them well in their quest for 'cheap' videos. This isn't Wal-mart. Though you shouldn't have to turn over your first-born, you're going to have to pay for Production Services. And only professionals can provide them.
