By Oli Thomas
In the creative industry, there are moments where time seems to morph, and days blur into one another amidst a flurry of projects and deadlines. As a freelancer immersed in the world of filming and editing, I recently found myself in one of those moments – two weeks packed to the brim with diverse projects that pushed my creative boundaries and tested my time management skills. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was an undeniable sense of fulfilment and excitement
From filming promo videos to crafting race briefs for an ultra-marathon company, shooting single artwork, editing music videos to a project shrouded in secrecy, each task brought its own unique set of challenges.
One of the best parts of this busy period was the variety of projects I had the opportunity to work on. The diversity in content kept my creative juices flowing and prevented monotony from setting in. From filming the race briefs in the studio with #GBULTRAS to meticulously editing the nuances of a music video, each endeavour presented its own canvas for artistic expression.
The GB Ultras events are one of our favourite jobs for the entire year - Race season is almost upon us so this week we filmed all of the race briefs which go out to participants before the race to let them know all the information they need like mandatory kit as well as the race routes - displayed in a visually engaging way. The race briefs are a fairly simple set-up and I set up pretty much like I would for an interview: One camera (Canon C70) and Three point Lighting - With the GB Ultras banner as a background.
Next I sat down with Salwa Bea, who's music video I shot a few week back and we began the process of editing the video. Editing music videos, offers a canvas for storytelling through rhythm and visual imagery. It was a meticulous process of piecing together footage, syncing beats, and enhancing emotions to create a seamless audio-visual experience. Every frame is so important to create a narrative that resonated with both the artist's vision and the audience's emotions.
However, amidst the chaos of shoots and editing time management and self-care, especially in the fast-paced world of freelancing. Juggling multiple projects requires a delicate balance between dedication and mindfulness. While it's easy to get lost in the frenzy of deadlines and commitments, it's essential to have moments of restbite.
Working for yourself can be a wonderful but staying strict with yourself is so important just as our ability to manage time effectively and avoid burnout. Taking breaks, setting boundaries are necessities for sustaining long-term productivity and creativity. During this period I made a conscious effort to pause and recalibrate. Whether it was a short walk with my dog Arlo or just chilling and watching the Office (US of course) these moments provide the much-needed fuel to keep the creative fires burning.
Looking back on those intense two weeks, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. Each project, with its unique challenges and triumphs, contributed to my growth as a filmmaker and storyteller. And while the journey may have been tricky at times, the end product was undeniably worth every moment of chaos.
As I continue to work for myself and grow as a videographer, photographer and business owner, I embrace the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, I carry with me the invaluable lessons learned from those busy weeks – the importance of passion, perseverance, and above all, the art of finding balance amidst the chaos. Thanks for reading, Oli
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