Traditionally the creative media industry is split into different categories – Film, TV, Radio, Photo Imaging, Publishing, Computer Games, Advertising, etc. The boundaries and divisions of these seemingly stand-alone sectors are based output; the final format or product. They have historically had their own supply chains, their own workforce, and their own audiences.
The merging of these sectors is often called “convergence”. But the true impact of the digital technology is much deeper and more profound than the meshing of content or platforms. The increasing ubiquity and shrinking cost of this technology is leading to a rapid merging of the processes, products and profits of these sectors.
In the attached .pdf I point to a different way of looking at and describing the creative media industry to examine, explain and foresee these changes currently happening. Your thoughts, comments and discussion are, as ever, welcome. Click the following link to download the document: Concept – Construct – Connect
This work is the product of conversations with dozens of colleagues and friends. However, discussions, thoughts, visions and debates with four key people brought it to fruition: Chris Chilton, Dan Gable, Andy Gibson and Fiona Kilkelly.
[...] Skillset Blog » Blog Archive » CONCEPT – CONSTRUCT – CONNECT: a different way to look at… – "Traditionally the creative media industry is split into different categories – Film, TV, Radio, Photo Imaging, Publishing, Computer Games, Advertising, etc. The boundaries and divisions of these seemingly stand-alone sectors are based output; the final format or product. They have historically had their own supply chains, their own workforce, and their own audiences. The merging of these sectors is often called “convergence”. But the true impact of the digital technology is much deeper and more profound than the meshing of content or platforms. The increasing ubiquity and shrinking cost of this technology is leading to a rapid merging of the processes, products and profits of these sectors." [...]
Triston,
Your blog fell timely, as I am fortunate enough to be in the process of helping to draft new content for the careers team factsheets.
As a freelancer, it came upon me many years ago that the particular sector of my industry (performance) was changing fast, and that if I stood any chance of survival I had to adapt or die.
Much like the industrial revolution changed our grandfathers lives forever; the technological revolution has changed the life of the performer forever and we have had to become multi skilled in order to survive. From the troubadour singer/songwriter to the actor/writer/director/producer/manager/presenter/marketing exec etc. In other words this ‘convergence’ from concept to exhibition from a single source has been going on in my sector for decades. Which is probably why the latest recession doesn’t really phase me, in fact I am quite excited by it and I throw my arms out to the rest of the creative media and say – ‘welcome to my world!’
I have at the last count 9 freelance jobs. I’m not bragging. I have 9 freelance jobs because, well established as I am as an actress, acting doesn’t pay all of the bills all of the time. In fact, to back me up, according to a recent Skillset survey, in my sector 48% of performers earn £6.000 or less from the performance industry with only 6% earning £30.000 or more. Men (9%) were more likely than women (4%) to have earned 30.000 or more from work in the industry during 2005.
Sobering statistics. Back to my 9 jobs. They are, Actress, Voice Over Artiste, Writer (with a degree in screenwriting) Careers Advisor, NCDT Performance reviewer, Skillset Accreditor, Event Host, University Lecturer, (LCC ALRA and Mountview) and ITC Trainer. And I also have a level 2 certificate in counselling and three agents, one for my acting, one for my voice work and one for my literary works. Apart from the acting/voiceover work, all of my jobs I have created and marketed myself in my specialist area of communication, and that’s why Triston, your map excites me so much because, to put it quite simply, it works.
For me, the secret to the map is at the very centre where the three C’s overlap. That is where the true chance of achievement and fulfilment lies, condensing the actions together to form that strong nucleus, whilst holding the knowledge of the boundaries as a whole. That’s exactly what I’ve been pulling together over the past 10 years when I saw the writing on the wall; retaining the credibility of my personal IP whilst fulfilling my career goals without undermining my chosen arena of the fiercely competitive creative media.
This diversification has not only widened my artistic scope, I now see the world through others eyes and boy has it taught me a lesson, it has also demystified certain aspects of the industry, and heartened me to share my knowledge with new entrants, without whom our industry would wither and die on the vine.
There are no longer traditional job roles, there is no such thing as a job for life, and soon everyone in our industry will have to have a multiskilled portfolio career in order to survive.
I firmly believe our responsibility is to ensure that entrants not only get the right start at the beginning of their careers, but also ongoing programmes to help them become aware of how to utilise every aspect of their creative talent across the board in order to ensure longevity and most of all lasting job satisfaction. Encompassing inclusive knowledge of other arenas in the very foundations and structure of their careers in this industry will, I believe, wholly mark the difference between success and failure as we head into an uncertain future.
[...] Skillset Blog » CONCEPT – CONSTRUCT – CONNECT: a different way to 13 Mar 2009. Pingback by Links for March 13th | daveharte.com — 14 March,. and we have had to become multi skilled in order to survive. From the troubadour singer/ songwriter to the actor/writer/director/producer/manager/presenter/marketing. They are, Actress, Voice Over Artiste, Writer (with a degree in.blog.skillset.org/…/concept-construct-connect-a-different-way-to-look-at-the- creative-media-industry/ – Skillset Blog » CONCEPT – CONSTRUCT – CONNECT: a different way to [...]