The Value of My Time & Skill

Posted on by jesse

There is so much more to video editing than most people realize. The editing process is also way longer than most people realize as well. Those who work in video production are very much under-appreciated for this very reason. To most common folk, anyway. There was this one time that somebody I barely knew messaged me on Facebook and asked me what it would cost for me to create a 3 minute flashy video of him driving his semi-truck around. He didn’t realize what he was asking of me. I informed him it would require an entire work day of following him around so that I could get different shots from different angles of the truck, then it would take about another 5 hours of editing. I also let him know that I don’t work for free, so roughly 15 hours at 50 bucks an hour was going to cost him $750. Funny thing is he never responded to that message. I am not going to utilize my skills for free. Not unless it is for a good cause, like the documentary I am creating for 4PA.

To be honest, I don’t know when I would even have the time to do projects for other people in the first place. It’s been crazy enough just trying to do this one for 4PA with school, work, etc. Bottom line though is that I feel I am worth at least $50 an hour if not more if someone wants to pay for my services. Now, if it’s for a good cause like the non-profit, 4PA, then I might just do it for free. I see this as my way as contributing to the cause because I do believe in what they are doing.

As far as marketing goes, I think that the best way to market myself would be through social media and the web. However, like I mentioned, I don’t really have the time at the moment to be doing outside work, but that could change once I am done with school!

Definitely check out the following video:

Textbook Relevance

Posted on by jesse

First off, I must say that Susan Weinschenk’s “100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People” is one of the best books I have ever read. I must admit that I still haven’t completely finished it, but I learned so much just after reading the first few sections. It touches on some very interesting points about the psychology when it comes to individuals and the user experience. To summarize the book in one sentence, I’d say don’t make things hard to do or read because most people only do or read things a certain way and most of the time they are very unwilling to put in more work than necessary when consuming information or enjoying an experience. This very much relates to our Hero’s Journey project because we are working with a virtual environment that is meant to be encouraging and engaging for the user. We want them to stay in the world and follow the path to the end to learn more about what they could pursue an education or career in. We have to pay attention to so many different details to ensure this happens. They are more than likely not going to stay or continue through the path if it isn’t easy and convenient to do so. If they have to go out of their way to try to figure out what to do or which way to go, they may give up. Society is very lazy today! That is just the truth of the matter.

The Watchmen graphic novel was also great. I still haven’t finished this either but not only is it an amazing original story but the way that the story is delivered is also brilliant. The graphic side of the novel certainly makes it a much more immersive experience which is exactly what we are trying to do with those who visit our virtual world for the Hero’s Journey.