By Emil Brandafi

Today, it's not too unusual to do business in some unlikely places at odd hours. However, there are some industries that are somewhat more peculiar than others. Often times, it's a conscious decision of lifestyle or a passion for the business that attracts people to the industry. Video Production is one such industry.

Every year, several thousand people enter the video industry with starry-eyed hopes of becoming the next Ken Burns or Steven Spielberg. Sadly, the statistics are far and away against them. The obstacles for these "kids" are formidable. There can be fierce competition, crazy hours, poor pay, prima donnas, unreasonable demands and radically variable and unpredictable (sometimes blatantly intolerable) conditions. As you know, my dear reader, we all have our war stories. Yet, they come. The question is why. Why did anyone of us do it?

That's a good question. One evening, not too long ago, I met a friend I hadn't seen for years. Once we were finished reminiscing, our discussion turned towards what we each did for a living. He was surprised, impressed and curious as to how I got into video production. Our talk left me reflective about my life, hence this article.

The answer wasn't too difficult to uncover. We do it because we love it. There's a wonderful synergy that elicits a charismatic passion associated with creativity, art, vision, technical agility, sweat and the challenge of it all. In the beginning of a project, there was only a concept, nothing more. At the end, there's something you can communicate that concept with in sound and image. Something that wouldn't otherwise exist without your efforts.

It is a way cool sensation to look at something and say, "Yep, that's right. I did that." That, to me, outweighs the occasional, now increasingly rare, bad experience. As veterans, we should encourage the youngsters to give it the "good fight" and be available to them for advice. These kids would find the ITVA an incredible resource for networking, education and personal development.

Keep your eyes open for these kids. They'll most likely be freelancers, gophers or grunts. Let them know about our organization, refer them to the web site, invite them to an event. Some of our best members may yet be discovered this way.

Who knows, we may discover a Spielberg.

* Appeared in North Jersey International Television Association Newsletter, Spring 2000.