People that have “done it” will be able to do it again. Whether it’s shooting a successful commercial assignment, hanging in a museum, making a music video, or whatever. It may not be a de-facto truth, but that’s what’s believed on the open market. It’s SAFER for the person hiring a creative if they can point to something that you’ve already done. One reason I get a lot of work is that I’ve done a lot of projects. They’re banking on my portfolio–work I’ve actually completed, work that I can point at, not a “resume,” or work that can be surmised.
I’m not saying it’s right or fair. It’s just the way it is.
But what if we’re not on the up-side of experience? For someone trying to get their first chance at anything where the keys to the kingdom are closely held by someone else, this can be a huge paradox.
If what you think you need is a new platform to show you can do something, you’re barking up the wrong tree. “Just gimme a shot and I’ll deliver” won’t cut it, no matter how loud you say it or how much you hope for it. The people making the decisions want proof. After all, if you fall flat, it usually means their ass is cooked.
So instead of lamenting “woe is me”, try this: Don’t create a resume, create a portfolio. Create actual WORK that looks like what you want to get “discovered” for. And make that work very strong.
Stop waiting for someone to take a chance on you. Do the work. And then show it to whomever’s got the keys to the kingdom. Once you’ve “done it”–and done it well–the phone will ring.
[inspired by a recent post featuring Randy Nelson from Pixar]
Man, I eff-ing love this post. What a cut-to-the-chase, crystal clear, practical piece of advice that can literally, should one accept this approach, send one down a life path that’s filled with the what-ifs of creating the things, the portfolio, that you want to be hired for.
I’m sure as one moves confidently and further down that path, building and creating more and more – there will be less need to have to prove anything to anyone. They can just forge their own path and success much as C. Jarvis has done.
Ah yeah! CHASE! You are on the MARK! Great blog! I actually took this “resume” idea to a whole new level and created a portfolio/resume just for kicks. I was so frustrated that my traditional resume was just so boring and bland. So… I made my own style of resume. Most importantly it is a portfolio. All on the web, so I can change, add and remove photos.
I am unemployed in the Seattle area so I’ve had a lot of time to really put somethings to test. Just needing to get a couple more shoots a month and maybe I can afford to eat more than Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches!
Here is my portfolio/resume: http://www.iamwillfoster.com
Check it out! 🙂
Words to live by and what I have been doing for the past year!
You are kinda like Yoda.
I completely agree, 100% percent, hands down.
I’m currently a photography major at the art institute
for my first year, but on my own for the past two years
I’ve composed a portfolio with a plethora of concepts.
I currently work at a portrait studio, and my classmates always
ask me how did I get a photography job, when they can’t and I
tell them…. i just show them my portfolio…. the rest speaks for
itself.
You don’t take a photograph, you make it… When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence… ~Ansel Adams