Man, all day, this! As somebody who's entire company and livelihood is based in the commercial space, the #1 thing I tell people is not just to make connections but make connections with actual decision-makers in the hiring process. Networking across the board is great because you never know the rolls people will find themselves in, so as a long terms play, make genuine connections with everyone. But in the short term, pour a lot of energy into people that actually have the discretion necessary to hire you. 99% of the people the actually make the decision on hiring me and my company have the title of "Creative director", "Media Director", "Communications Director", etc. Those are the people who actually make the decisions to hire external creative or not.
Solid stuff. You touched on connections from set. I'm a 3rd year film student and intern making my connections in commercial and narrative feature spheres. One thing I've learned is just get on set and work with other people. Don't just only be the DP or cinematographer right away. Build connections and work your career from the ground up if you can. As a PA, grip, 2nd AC, or whatever other "smaller" you can learn so, so much. Just rushing to be a DP without learning from older and more experienced gaffers or DPs from working under them might just hinder your growth. Yes, being a DP or cinematographer is great, but like you mentioned from the book you quoted, you don't have to be the main character or star as a DP. You can sit back and learn while working hard to help someone who has been in the game longer than you. Your time will come, but staying on as a "smaller" role on set for a few years is valuable experience. Also, it's more attractive to fellow film set peers if they know you're a hard worker and willing to fulfill any role needed. Plus later on, you can teach the next new guy who is on the journey. Only wanting to be the DP or camera operator can come off as arrogant or ignorant perhaps. Also, off that, maybe just only wanting to be the DP could limit your options or make you have to do projects solo. Going solo is viable but the more solid creative people on set, the more you can do. Also, it looks more professional to clients if you have a team that works hard and produces quality material. Going solo might still produce quality material and impress clients though. It just depends on the client. Also going solo can be financially appealing to the client since they only have to pay one person. But in my opinion, if a company can afford to pay for a full crew to get high quality material then they should. That goes for the DP/Cinematographer too. If he/she is willing to give up a little creative control and bring on someone else (whether they be more experienced or less experienced like an intern) a lot of amazing things can happen. For me, I enjoy being a solo videographer for free but if I'd rather be on set with people I can trust to do quality work while I work hard to do what I can for the project. It also can be relieving to jump on someone else's project but not have to worry about all the visuals. You could run audio or lighting instead.
Dude your words hit home for me at around 6 min in. I have so much unshared work because of my aversion to social media when in reality, sharing it and letting people know I'm alive, well, and thriving, would more than likely net more of the kind of work I'd like to create. Thanks for sharing!
the first point is so key. Especially about how people are busy. If someone isn't interested or responsive to bringing you on board for a current project don't take it personally. Again, they're just busy. Do not be afraid to ping them again in 30-90 days. Obviously, make sure you're not coming off as desperate or annoying but just a little reminder of the work you do and the interest you have in working with them. I've had to follow up about 6 times before with a producer in an email chain stretching almost a year and a half but finally, something came up.
I didn't notice which channel this was, clicked through and started watching the ad and thought god damn, was not expecting that. Then I saw the channel and it made sense ;)
id would to let you know you’ve inspired me to pick up the camera for the first time, i am almost opposite of your situation i’ve always ran, and never really messed with filming but I am trying to learn something every day and you’ve inspired me to bring a camera along for my first marathon! i will be in chicago living soon and would love to get together and train or just chat running! thank you for the content
You just hit every nail on every head and said all the words I’ve been thinking about implementing as well as already implementing and you’re a boss and thank you
Love this video dude. Thanks so much for making it. Mark was mentioning your running doc and I'm really pumped to see it. I know a lot of work went into it. I also hold myself back because I gibe the excuse that I don't live in a major city, I'm 2 hours south of Chicago, and I need to stop doing that. Thanks for all you do Eric......love you......
Great points, I got to comfortable with a retainer client & put less effort into searching for new ones, was great for a while until my retainer client’s company went bust and it left me with an almost back to square one situation
Love the simple and informed points you make man, especially as someone looking to break into commercial work. Be intentional, be unique and make stuff! Great vid!
Glad it resonated. It's easy to complain about what we have, but if we can embrace the social platforms as opportunities, it can seriously be life-changing.
You mean ... Nobody Ever Gets Paid? What about all those names at the end of the movie ... in the credits? Don't those represent paychecks? th-cam.com/video/RaT-8LuXDjg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KKlDzHMfj88JAEQu
Man, all day, this! As somebody who's entire company and livelihood is based in the commercial space, the #1 thing I tell people is not just to make connections but make connections with actual decision-makers in the hiring process.
Networking across the board is great because you never know the rolls people will find themselves in, so as a long terms play, make genuine connections with everyone. But in the short term, pour a lot of energy into people that actually have the discretion necessary to hire you. 99% of the people the actually make the decision on hiring me and my company have the title of "Creative director", "Media Director", "Communications Director", etc. Those are the people who actually make the decisions to hire external creative or not.
Truth truth truth. You're a legend at this, man. Always inspired to see what you're doing on the commercial front!!
@@EricFloberg Appreciate you, dawg! Keep crushing it
Solid stuff. You touched on connections from set. I'm a 3rd year film student and intern making my connections in commercial and narrative feature spheres. One thing I've learned is just get on set and work with other people. Don't just only be the DP or cinematographer right away. Build connections and work your career from the ground up if you can. As a PA, grip, 2nd AC, or whatever other "smaller" you can learn so, so much. Just rushing to be a DP without learning from older and more experienced gaffers or DPs from working under them might just hinder your growth. Yes, being a DP or cinematographer is great, but like you mentioned from the book you quoted, you don't have to be the main character or star as a DP. You can sit back and learn while working hard to help someone who has been in the game longer than you. Your time will come, but staying on as a "smaller" role on set for a few years is valuable experience. Also, it's more attractive to fellow film set peers if they know you're a hard worker and willing to fulfill any role needed. Plus later on, you can teach the next new guy who is on the journey. Only wanting to be the DP or camera operator can come off as arrogant or ignorant perhaps. Also, off that, maybe just only wanting to be the DP could limit your options or make you have to do projects solo. Going solo is viable but the more solid creative people on set, the more you can do. Also, it looks more professional to clients if you have a team that works hard and produces quality material. Going solo might still produce quality material and impress clients though. It just depends on the client. Also going solo can be financially appealing to the client since they only have to pay one person. But in my opinion, if a company can afford to pay for a full crew to get high quality material then they should. That goes for the DP/Cinematographer too. If he/she is willing to give up a little creative control and bring on someone else (whether they be more experienced or less experienced like an intern) a lot of amazing things can happen. For me, I enjoy being a solo videographer for free but if I'd rather be on set with people I can trust to do quality work while I work hard to do what I can for the project. It also can be relieving to jump on someone else's project but not have to worry about all the visuals. You could run audio or lighting instead.
Dude your words hit home for me at around 6 min in. I have so much unshared work because of my aversion to social media when in reality, sharing it and letting people know I'm alive, well, and thriving, would more than likely net more of the kind of work I'd like to create. Thanks for sharing!
The Storybrand framework is so powerful! Love how you included it in this video. Wonderful advice!
the first point is so key. Especially about how people are busy. If someone isn't interested or responsive to bringing you on board for a current project don't take it personally. Again, they're just busy. Do not be afraid to ping them again in 30-90 days. Obviously, make sure you're not coming off as desperate or annoying but just a little reminder of the work you do and the interest you have in working with them. I've had to follow up about 6 times before with a producer in an email chain stretching almost a year and a half but finally, something came up.
Eric, you've put SO MUCH VALUE in these 11 minutes. Thank you for sharing!! You're awesome
Intentional spec ad's are the way! Great video Eric! Just released an On spec ad, so this was a great timed video.
Heck yes! Link it here so I can take a peek!
@@EricFloberg th-cam.com/video/w0PkvfJ-uBg/w-d-xo.html - We still need to rip it down to Chicago and work on something together!!
I didn't notice which channel this was, clicked through and started watching the ad and thought god damn, was not expecting that. Then I saw the channel and it made sense ;)
So much stuff a lot of us have heard before but always a good reminder + important to hear it from a supportive voice. Great advice in this one 🤘🏻
id would to let you know you’ve inspired me to pick up the camera for the first time, i am almost opposite of your situation i’ve always ran, and never really messed with filming but I am trying to learn something every day and you’ve inspired me to bring a camera along for my first marathon! i will be in chicago living soon and would love to get together and train or just chat running! thank you for the content
You just hit every nail on every head and said all the words I’ve been thinking about implementing as well as already implementing and you’re a boss and thank you
I binged so many running videos of yours, to now getting one of these gems! You just keep the content flowing. lol
Thanks for showing up and supporting!! We're building a lot this year!!
I made the switch from weddings to commercial and wow.. it was a shock and I 100% agree with you!
Love this video dude. Thanks so much for making it. Mark was mentioning your running doc and I'm really pumped to see it. I know a lot of work went into it. I also hold myself back because I gibe the excuse that I don't live in a major city, I'm 2 hours south of Chicago, and I need to stop doing that. Thanks for all you do Eric......love you......
Can't wait to share Moving Still online! Hoping it'll be available by the fall! Thanks for watching and for the support!!
Great thoughts, as always! Thanks for sharing your journey.
Great video! I forget how important it is to put out unique content on a consistent basis so good reminder.
saying yes is so important. My highest paying client now reached out to me 5 years ago with no money....now they pay me the most money lol
Trust me, this is an exception
@@SamuelObafemi never know if you don't say yes tho 🤷
Great points, I got to comfortable with a retainer client & put less effort into searching for new ones, was great for a while until my retainer client’s company went bust and it left me with an almost back to square one situation
Love the simple and informed points you make man, especially as someone looking to break into commercial work. Be intentional, be unique and make stuff! Great vid!
Heck yes. Keep going, my dude.
I don't know anything about film making, though this video is eloquent in its approach, and its core message will resonate with anyone
That’s my Wide Reciever !
Excellent takes 🔥
Hahahah!! my man!!
0:05 ha, fancy spotting Mr Dan Hollis there
Wait, who's that
@@EricFloberg That not a lad named Dan on camera at 0:06? If not he's got a cameraman doppelganger, also based in LA
Great video! Came to your channel after listening to the creative gap podcast with you. Good stuff man, keep it up :) /Markus
Love this bro! A lot of great advice in here!!
best sponsor read i’ve ever seen!!
❤️🔥🫡
Thank you for sharing a perspective !
This message is sooooo important
Thanks Eric!
Thanks for watching!
This is so on point.
Thank you so much, I know I can do this...
Hey I know that CTA station! Down the street from me!!
4:54 stood out to me
Glad it resonated. It's easy to complain about what we have, but if we can embrace the social platforms as opportunities, it can seriously be life-changing.
I loved this video. Do you have any recommendations for a beginner course in content creation and filmmaking?
what lenses was this shot on? contax zeiss?
Where is the link for the easy rig in the thumbnail? 😂
Your make content section was so funny 😂 You’re definitely talking to yourself too I’m sure 😂
great advice
My man. :)
Great
So introverts are screwed on this landscape. Back to developing games that for my style/vision then and forget showing my physical face.
bruh the christian mingle pop out sent me lol
You mean ... Nobody Ever Gets Paid?
What about all those names at the end of the movie ... in the credits?
Don't those represent paychecks?
th-cam.com/video/RaT-8LuXDjg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KKlDzHMfj88JAEQu
great video sir. i'm sure you're aware, but your website has malware on it :(
Thank you! Yup, currently building a new one. Thank you!!
CHRISTAN MINGLE 🤣🤣🤣
Had to
What ?
What ?
🤍
Great