Is it just me or is video production really SLOW?

mainstreetprod

mainstreetprod

Veteran
In addition to producing an occasional feature, I've been working freelance for about 6 years now. I routinely get jobs from about 5 national companies doing business profiles, author profiles, hotel videos, etc. The jobs came in like clockwork, averaging 3-6 a month, slowing down in winter but otherwise very consistent, even during the "recession" a couple years back. This winter it slowed down as usual, but come January, when the phone should be ringing- nothing. I've contacted a couple of the companies but no work available. Anyone else notice video production jobs coming to a screeching halt?
 
I wouldn't call it a "screeching halt", but it does seem to have slowed. Though i've only been in the business for a few years so I don't have much perspective on what it used to be like.
 
Competition is growing and companies are streamlining. I work a retail job besides this, and yesterday I had to do the annual harassment and EOE training for managers. This is the first time in the three years I've had to take these that they didn't include videos. This is a very large company, and likely represents a trend among others. Anecdotal, I know, but it concerned me at the time.
 
Having been in the media business for nearly 40 years now, it seems to me that work consistently falls off near the end of recessions rather than at the beginning. May have to do with budget cycles for corporations that get adjusted for the next year in response to how well they did the year before.
 
Razz16mm said:
Having been in the media business for nearly 40 years now, it seems to me that work consistently falls off near the end of recessions rather than at the beginning. May have to do with budget cycles for corporations that get adjusted for the next year in response to how well they did the year before.
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That could well be the case in my world. Two of the companies I deal with suddenly replaced my contacts with new employees late last year, so corporate change could be a factor.
 
If you are doing a survey, Things are going pretty well. (knock on wood.) Op, I'm actually in TN right now for a job tomorrow.

Networking would be my only advice, find new clients. Edit: And don't burn bridges! I've been out of the freelance game for a while and am now getting business from OLD clients.
 
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Josh Bass said:
So youre saying recessions over? TOO LATE! Cant take it back. No backsies.
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Technically yes, has been for 3 years, but the economy overall is a mixed bag. Some parts are doing very well, others sucking wind.

We were fortunate enough to miss it since we were involved in large corporate campus AV build outs for several fortune 200 companies. All long term construction contract work.

But if you are at the bottom of the job pool it sucks. My brother who is a really good cook with some mental disabilities hasn't found a job in four years going on five.
 
Im actually doing ok. 2010 was my worst year. After that ive worked about the same each year. I basically survive off of two maim clients so i hope neither is hit by a bus before i win the lottery.
 
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