Creative director

Name: Jolyon Ludbrook

Age: 29

Role: Overseeing the creative output of video production by toyBox Productions

Working hours: 8.30am until the completion of a particular job. As the work is often deadline-driven, hours can vary significantly from job to job

Average pay: $50,000

Qualifications: Bachelor of design


Q: Describe how you got this position

A: It came about through knowing the right people. In other words I met a lot of people, talked to them, in some cases worked for nothing, and built up my experience. When this opportunity knocked I was able to jump at the chance.

Q: Describe what you do

A: My role is hands-on as well as overseeing the entire creative process of producing videos.

As a small company, toyBox needs me to be involved in the planning process of the production being worked on.

This involves finding the right person for the job and timing the work, as well as overseeing the production.

On site, my role covers everything from lighting to camera work and directing.

Most often I step into the director's role, doubling as a camera man where necessary.

On site I am responsible for the staff carrying out the other roles in producing the video.

Q: What was it like the first time you filmed a corporate video?

A: It was a rather nerve-racking experience and I relied a lot on the expertise of those around me to pull it off.

I had to realise the people I had chosen to work with had - in many cases - more experience than I did and I needed to learn from them, although I was responsible for making the final decision on the creative output of the shoot.

Q: What skills and qualities do you need?

A: You need to be outgoing, modest, sponge-like to absorb and learn, and honest. You should be thick-skinned as things can get tense on location. Above all you need to be the consummate professional and always strive to give 110 per cent.

Q: What sort of training or experience do you need?

A: Entering this industry you need to realise training and experience go hand-in-hand as you are always learning. No matter what training you have had, experience is the critical factor.

In my case I worked for nothing on productions for a number of months just to gain experience and contacts.

This is not for everyone as you still need to pay the bills, but it is a good way of getting in there and absorbing information.

Q: Best part of the job?

A: People. Working with people has always been something I have enjoyed. Next to this is the creative process of producing a successful video. Having a happy client is the ultimate feelgood factor.

Q: How do you define success in this job?

A: Success in this job is producing a video the client is wowed by.

Not only that, it is important the objectives as set out by the client are met, so success is achieving what we set out to achieve at the beginning, as well as giving the production the wow factor.

Q: Most challenging part of the job?

A: Pulling all the different aspects of a production together. There are so many variables that have to come together to produce a video that is first class, and making sure those are right is challenging.

Q: Career hopes for future?

A: To produce and direct television and even films. These are the benchmark by which nearly everyone in this industry career aspires to and this is certainly no different for me.