I have the impression that even the most successful creative has to truly wish they could be doing something else. Painting, writing or even scrap booking with nana. For my part, I was supremely dissatisfied with my work because if it would have been my vision of what an ad that received lukewarm response and was or wasn’t effective, then wonderful; it’s all on me. But since adverts suffer the wrath of supervisors, CEO’s, creative directors, clients and our beloved focus groups, there is very little possibility that your work will be the one put to the test.
Time and time again I found myself angry, frustrated, dejected and unmotivated because way more often than naught, my team had no back-up, we were forced to swallow bitter pills of not choosing any battle and of acquiescing because between the creative director and the account exec, there wasn’t a trace of a vertebrae between them. I was a salmon swimming upstream except there was no nature and the current or my skills never allowed me to land in the calm.
But just in case you’re wondering if this is real or not, there are two things you have got to keep an eye out for: 1. Is anyone you work with writing a book or working on an exhibition that they never seem to finish and 2. Ask someone upfront if they’re satisfied with what they’re doing. At the very least, I’ve seen that some people fidget before keeling into their ethic and saying that they appreciate what they’ve achieved. At the end of the day, there’s one thing no one will be able to deny…This is a dayjob for however luxurious it is sold to you.
4 comments:
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. I truly like what I do--even if some of it is tedious at times. Plus our agency is good to its workers, and truly cares about family and personal health. It doesn't have the glamour of a BDA and we don't get to work on a whole lot of TV, but I must admit I enjoy it immensely.
I get your points, Joker, but I don't think they're universal...
Hm. This is a tough one. I did for a while think that I hated the biz, but after quite a long time doing it I realized that it wasn't the job but the people around me that sucked.
I removed them. I am happy. Simple.
My man, it's different when time goes by. I remember that feeling when I was - *sigh* - younger. I daydreamed of working somewhere else, yada yada yada.
Now, my job is just my job. I sometimes enjoy it but really, not that much. It's just a thing I do. And feeling about it that way, huns... makes me feel fucking awesomely happy.
PS: Of all the times we talked over those shitty jobs, I always had a theory. You are, my friend, a writer. A true writer. Not a copywriter, not someone who is comfortable with letting others shit all over your creativity. Your talent cannot be sold, made revisions or redesigned.
I mean... You're the Joker, man!
Much Love. Me.
@ Teenie: I'm glad you are dear. I really am. Reading your words of support for your agency is refreshing because to me, it shows me that I wasn't in the wrong industry, just in the wrong places, and that my professional choices were lacking, which I already thought so anyways. As for my points being universal, I state my limited experience as exactly the reason why they aren't. They're supposed to be skewed and viced to a massive degree and I honestly do think that no one opinion can ever be truly universal.
But as for a meager attempt at defending my point, you don't work for a BDA, and that in itself is worth gold. I worked at tiny, small, mid, and mid high level agencies and I unfortunately chose the wrong places.
But I'm truly glad that you enjoy what you do and that you are satisfied because honestly, few things can be better than waking up every day and either being pumped for work, or not minding. I did mind... a lot as it obviously shows. So thanks for the counterpoint and I'll consider either taking it into consideration for further posts on the truths or reassess this blog post. Hope you liked the stick figure though. :)
@ Me: Thinking about it, I don't hate the game. I just hate some players and detest the referrees. I'm also extremely happy for your fate, but if anyone knows the levels of anguish and hulkamania anger I ever achieved, it's you.
I also think context had a lot to do with my frustration,though denying that I had an attitude problem at certain times would be grossly stupid, so I won't even go there.
I am glad you can enjoy your job or just perform without it having completely consume you and to put it mildly, I appreciate the vote for me as a writer. Who knows, maybe when I get done with this series we can publish it online. So technically I'm almost 10% done with this book lol.
Anyways, mucho love for you and hope my pictures ain't sucking too bad.
cheers two both you wonderful people
I started out working for a BDA, and after 4 years I hated it. Not the work or the creative department--I loved that. It was the gawd-awful politics and hierarchy and never-ending need to prove yourself over and above the work.
My current agency is privately owned, which means we have less pull and a very low-profile, but lots of space to learn and grow--as a creative and as a human being. No one sighs or rolls their eyes when you have a doc's appointment--they actually ask how you're doing.
So there are great agencies out there, you just have to choose what you cherish more: big awards and a name that rings a big bell, or personal satisfaction and the knowledge that you get up, every day, and still love what you do.
Thanks as always for your great input!
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