We’re back with another expert interview, following on from our s1jobs series exposing valuable insider information from a range of sectors in Scotland, from teaching to beer-making. This week, we went behind the lens in the media sector, as we quizzed the managing director for a film production company, Luke Yerbury, on how to succeed in this competitive industry…
Name: Luke Yerbury
Occupation: Managing Director
Company: Makemeafilm.com
Location: Glasgow
How did you become interested in digital film production?
It started when I was about 15. The new coloured iMacs went on sale in my local John Lewis back in Bristol. I decided to spend all my savings on a deposit for one. Once I started playing with the then groundbreaking iMovie, I soon developed an interest in making videos. From there I pursued it further through education.
Is an academic background essential, or are there alternative routes into the field?
I would say that education is important, but I certainly wouldn’t say academic routes are essential to becoming successful in the industry. I strongly believe that practise makes perfect and a massive part of working in film is communication and people skills. I would obviously be a total advocate for online film, but seriously, you can learn anything on YouTube these days!
What would you say were the crucial skills required to work in digital film production, and what is the best way to develop them?
A good eye for a shot is important, and it’s the thing that we always look for in someone who wants to shoot. In terms of post-production, someone with a good sense of timing and an ability to select the best shots and pick apart interviews creatively to tell the right story is imperative. Working in film is storytelling at its most basic level, so creativity is key – you need to have an imagination and not be afraid to use it and share your ideas.
Describe a typical day at makeafilm.com. What are some of the challenges you face?
We work producing online film content for a very diverse selection of clients throughout the UK. Makemeafilm.com predominantly produces communication and sales tools for our clients to use, in order to make their jobs easier. Day to day, we are often shooting for clients in some way or another. Our calendar is filling up so not often a week passes where we’re not out meeting new faces. The guys working in the edit are just as busy, as everything we shoot needs to be cut! Me personally? I spend most of my time out meeting new clients, finding new routes to market, planning shoots and generally drinking way too much coffee.
Acquiring experience in such a competitive field is difficult. What advice would you give someone who is struggling to enter it?
People buy from people. If we’re hiring we look for personality over skillset any day of the week. It’s a busy industry and there’s a list a long as your arm of people looking for work. Be a good person, and I guarantee that you will find work.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting up their own business in digital film production?
Do it. Find your market, establish yourself and your offering and give it everything you have to make it happen. Don’t give up!
In the digital world, networking is important. Which other roles or industries can it be useful to have contacts in?
Networking has been massively important for us. We have such a wide-spanning selection of clients from many different industries. For me personally, any contact is a good contact, you never know who is connected to who, so in my experience you should never say no to a meeting!
What is the one golden rule you live by as a professional in this field?
Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.
Do you work in the film production business or the wider media industry? If you have any tips to add to Luke’s advice, share them with us in the comments below!
Image by pixabay, used under Creative Comms licence.