The Wandering DP Podcast: Episode #414 – 2023 Year in Review
Dec 26, 2023
auto_awesome
Reflection on personal growth in cinematography, importance of sharing knowledge and setting boundaries. Strategies for job opportunities in advertising industry. Shift towards meaningful projects in cinematography. Trend of food-related jobs in 2023. Networking opportunities and industry trends. Predictions for 2024 and viewer analytics review. Adapting to changing filmmaking practices and expanding guest range.
Prioritize quality over quantity for better project outcomes.
Adapt to the evolving commercial landscape by focusing on personal branding and marketing efforts.
Strategically manage gear and adapt to changing market dynamics for sustainable business practices.
Deep dives
Analysis of Workdays and Job Quality
In the podcast, the host reflects on the number of workdays and job quality in the year, highlighting a decrease in total workdays from 54 to 48. Despite the reduction, the quality of projects notably improved, with a focus on working with new directors and producing better results. The host emphasized the importance of saying no to certain projects and prioritizing quality over quantity, leading to a more selective approach that positively impacted project outcomes.
Impact of External Factors on Commercial Work
The podcast delves into external factors affecting commercial work, particularly noting a slowdown in the market and challenges in securing projects compared to previous years. The host discusses the evolving nature of commercial advertising, with a shift towards smaller-scale social media ads rather than traditional television commercials. Additionally, the impact of personal branding and marketing efforts like social media presence and platforms like Campaign Brief on job opportunities is analyzed.
Reflection on Personal Growth and Cinematography Progress
The podcast episode explores the host's personal growth and progress in cinematography throughout the year. The host shares insights on reaching a milestone of 500 days on commercial sets, highlighting the journey toward achieving a higher level of satisfaction and quality in cinematography work. By reflecting on past experiences and the development of a refined approach to projects, the host emphasizes the continuous learning and improvement process in cinematography.
Production Company Trends in 2023
In 2023, there were seven production companies, with two being new additions. Observing the trend since 2017, the number of new companies has gradually decreased, possibly due to accumulating projects and experience leading to collaborations with established companies. A growing number of production companies generally indicates more opportunities but also highlights the importance of not relying on a small set of companies to avoid work vulnerabilities.
Shift Towards Away Jobs and Gear Assessment
As job trends move towards away locations, considerations arise around owning and maintaining gear. The discussion delves into the financial implications of equipment investments, rental days, and the decision-making process regarding gear liquidation based on upcoming job prospects and asset utilization. The evolving cinematography work landscape emphasizes the need for strategic gear management and adaptation to changing market dynamics for sustainable business practices.
2023 is officially in the books y'all. Here is the year in review podcast. I hope you had a great year and enjoy the holidays before getting back to behind the camera in 2024. Enjoy!
