We recently connected with Jessica Young and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
I have found the biggest challenge in my industry is being challenging to prove my worth. Over the pandemic the need for Video related content greatly increased, however I found many potential clients wanted to pay me the equivalent of minimum wage while expecting high quality work. I once was asked to filmed and edit an event for a day and was basically offered the payment of an hour’s worth of work while I would’ve filmed for a day and then spent at least another day editing. While I was disappointed I tried to negotiate since I understand every client has a different budget for their project, however I was sad that we couldn’t come to an agreement in the end.
Thankfully, I had another client who I was able to negotiate with and we both were happy with how it came out.
I would say to anyone regardless of your skill level do not undervalue yourself. You have value and are needed which is why they are interested in working with you,
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
A picture is worth a thousand words… and a video is made up of frames… frames which are pictures being used to tell a story. Whether it be an action thrilling chase or a sunrise on a mountain top, each is telling a story. It is my goal to use film to tell stories that inspire, educate and motivate people to be the best versions of themselves.
I take each work experience as a way of learning and growing into a better individual. I take each experience as a new way to adapt my skills to the work environment through proactiveness, attentiveness and persistence in quality and empathy to those around me. I believe every work environment should be safe and enjoyable as well as efficient and productive.
Currently, I work mostly with Non-profits assisting in creating content for their marketing, social media and online presence. While I maintain a personal blog on my social media of my favorite pictures.
When I am not doing video work, I enjoy volunteering and bettering my community via local outreaches and events.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I would say do not limit yourself. I have found following a local community of creatives via social media had been the biggest resource. I have befriended some local artists, musicians, photographers etc and each share resources they have come across. However a couple resources that I wish had crossed my mind sooner are Grants and Competitions. Grants can be awarded for a variety of reasons and there are so many available and ready to find on Google, social media and even word of mouth depending on who you are following. I have been able to apply for a few over the years and even if I don’t win it grants my work exposure.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
There are a few things those who are not in a creative line of work, I wish understood. One being that everyone is creative in one way or another. I believe creativity is everywhere, in problem solving, in building something from scratch, planning something etc. I also wish more people understood being creative is not a bad word just as much as it is a job. Sometimes I feel people hear the word and think it is a fancy title with more real reward, however creatives are hard working people and just like any other job it is needed as the world continue to grow and evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/POVfilms
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/povfilms/?igshid=vf4f7w7s6ypf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/POVFilms1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-y-20448b97
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jessica_Films
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7BYo4YbUb2aRQ_h8Hswcg?app=desktop
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user52576100
Image Credits
All of the images provided are mine and belong to myself (Jessica Young aka POV Films)