A lively dialog has developed over at Michael Rosenblum’s blog about how the so called “Lower class” VJ paradigm equates to those who learned to read and write back in the 1700’s, and as a result, saw the upper crust aristocracy for what it truly was and made rightful changes to their society.
How does this equate to what we do as solo VJ’s?
I’m not saying that the old guard of ENG shooters are a thing of the past, but as one who has seen several commercial photographic colleagues close up shop for lack of adapting to the new technologies, I do feel that the Solo VJ paradigm is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Nino Giannotti, who is a well known videographer for such entities as ESPN has voiced several concerns about the VJ paradigm..
Nino’s EFPLighting website brings a wealth of information that should be a crucial part of Solo VJ training. He has posted some real concerns and perspective that discusses the realities of this infant profession of Solo Video Journalism.
It’s all fine and dandy to want to just shoot, but we as Solo VJ’s need to understand the craft of lighting, the craft of editing, of writing, and all the other skills needed to make us a Jack Of All Trades, Master Of Them All.
How can we effectively make a living at what we do if we are only shooters? We have to be more if we expect to survive in this field. Just because someone says that you aren’t a real professional because you do more than just light and shoot - who said that makes them right?
A recent question was asked of me by Nino on Michael’s blog asking:
“…why should I do what you do? Should I forget what I know and pretend that I have very few skills when I go to on a shoot? Should I lower my revenue considerably so I can join the VJ revolution?”
No one ever said that being a VJ should lower one’s revenue. If I can take what I have learned through experience, and add thinking outside the box, using “smaller, less expensive equipment” and produce nearly identical projects, I’m doing this with a better understanding of my equipment and my skill set.
My client, Light & Motion, hires me because of those very skills I bring to the table. I understand lighting, I understand visual composition, I have a basic understanding of audio production, of script writing/editing and creating audio narrative material. I understand video editing, and rendering out for multiple formats. In the final analysis, this makes me, Cliff Etzel - Solo VJ, a better single resource to the client instead of them having to go to several sources - which increases costs with negligible improvement in quality.
In the end, we as Solo Video Journalists need to be more than just shooters - we need to be a swiss army knife to whomever we work for - only then do we create a greater sense of security in generating an income over the long term.
