Do you have what it takes to be in the creative industry?
THE next time you’re watching you r favou ri t e show or listening to your favourite song, take a moment to think about all the work that goes into these products of the creative industry.
The creative industry consists of many specialisations that combine artistic and technical abilities to generate content across multiple platforms.
These plat forms include television, radio and the Internet, and the industry is capable of contributing to a country’s economy by creating job opportunities, exporting new c ont ent , fo s t e r i ng innovation and promoting tourism, among others.
The recent Asean International Film Festival and Awards ( Ai f fa) 2 017 that took place in Kuching, showed the state government’s firm belief in the industry’s potential, given the state’s unique location, culture and traditions that can attract content- makers from around the world.
As exciting as it sounds, however, the creative industry is challenging, especially when talents will need to compete in the global market thanks to greater Internet accessibility. Nevertheless, if you are still keen on get ting into the industry, here are a few things for you to consider: What are your interests? Di r e c t ing , ac t i ng and dancing aren’t the only artistic endeavours to explore. In f i lmmaking, for instance, there are behind- the- scenes positions you can consider such as screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, production designers, editors, sound engineers and many more.
Depending on your occupation in the creative industry, you also have the opportunity to work across various media. For example, skills that visual effects artists and 3D animators possess allow them to take on projects in film, advertising and gaming.
Are you ready to work long hours?
For some creat ive jobs, project schedules and deadlines determine your working hours, which can be demanding at times. A shoot for a commercial, for example, can last up to 24 hours or editing for a TV episode can go past midnight. It is always important, therefore, to keep yourself physically and mentally fit. Are you a team player? No one particular role is king, because every stage in a creative project matters. This means all individuals involved must ensure they play their part responsibly and effectively to avoid a domino effect that can potentially disrupt the project. Even if conflicts occur, you will need to set differences aside and make delivering a final product of quality your first priority. Do you have the passion? Essential ly, being in the creative industry is about doing what you love. Fame and fortune don’t happen overnight, and they shouldn’t be your raison d’être (reason for existence). In fact, ask those working in the industry and they will tell you how fulfilling it is to be able to create something from scratch for the world to enjoy.
As such, work hard, hone your skills and learn about yourself throughout the creative process. It’ll be a journey worth taking.
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media- M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang ( Azam) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.