How are we the same?

Creative industry people and other types of artists are similar to each other in the sense that we all aspire to make things. Whether those things are musical, visual, cinematic or interactive experiences, the goal is always expression. Expression of our ideas, our visions, our passions. This is all well and good, because you need that kind of driven passion that is strong enough for us to want to enter a field with very few job prospects and where exposure is apparently a currency.

People often view creative industry workers as happy, carefree free spirits who have all the artsy fartsy ideals of happiness over profits. Again, this is all well and good, until we realise that financial and employment security are sacrifices we have to make in order to do these things. The stereotype of the starving artist comes to mind…

This perception is somewhat detrimental to us. When stuffy-nosed Mr. Abernathy from the corporate office needs someone to make him a new app for his business, what history does he have working with developers? Is he going to appreciate the hard work, dedication, sleepless nights and pizza dinners that go into app development? Is he going to recognise the level of technical skill, the hours and hours of practise and study it took the developer to get to this level? Probably not. “Oh I just want this app on my desk by Monday” said Mr. Abernathy, looking over at the team of developers gathered around him at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. “You’ll be paid in peanuts”.

So when we got sick of it all, we ran away and formed our own companies. This is why the working conditions in a creative industry are typically very different from the Abernathy’s of the world. We work ridiculous hours, take any job that comes through the door, wear jeans and t-shirts, are under constant pressure to upskill and are predominantly self-taught. All while keeping a diverse enough portfolio to get us work when this particular company inevitably goes down the drain. (Thanks Australian Government).

Now we get to the crux. Why are we doing this? What could possibly be worth all of these things that I just listed? Well, I’ll tell you. Because most of us (I can’t speak for everyone) can’t imagine doing anything else. We have a passion to create, a drive to tell stories. We want to create worlds with our own rules. We want to entertain, inspire, enthrall, captivate, motivate, educate and other such words. We all know why we’re here.

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