A career in the film industry may seem glamorous but there's a lot of hard work involved
A cameraman and sound guy reveal what it takes to get ahead - what perks exist - in the world of movie-making
Careers in the creative industry get a bad rap. They’re seen as unstable and low-paying, or not “serious work” that others would find respectable. But many people who choose to work in the industry can be happily employed for years, and the truth is there is a lot of hard work involved.
“Video camera work is physically tough. There’s a lot of gear to haul about,” says Moray Wedderburn, a Hong Kong-based cameraman who started in film school and now owns a small video production company. “Cameras have become much smaller, but I still need to carry many heavy lights, stands and batteries around.”
Wedderburn has been in the industry for more than 25 years, and has worked on major projects for companies including the National Geographic channel. His job allows him to discover what he really loves to do, but it also requires a lot of patience and negotiation skills.
For example, he has to deliver what the clients want, even if this means going against his creative logic or vision.
But the job is such that he is constantly learning new things – and finding out about himself. “It surprised me how much I enjoyed editing,” Wedderburn says.
