10 Aug Behind the Camera: Silvanna’s Career in Film Production and 3 Career Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a career is about more than finding a way to make money. It is about understanding your strengths, knowing what kind of work you actually enjoy, and learning what a career looks like before committing to it.
Silvanna has learned those lessons through her own career in film production.
Her background includes graphic design, animation, and other creative disciplines, but she discovered that sitting behind a computer creating artwork was only part of what she enjoyed.
Silvanna is a people person.
She enjoys being out in the field, interacting with others, working in different environments, and solving problems as they happen. Film production gives her the opportunity to bring all of those interests together.
From Graphic Design to Film Production
One of the things Silvanna enjoys about film production is being able to solve creative problems in real time.
A graphic designer might look at a photograph and wish the lighting had been different. In film production, Silvanna can actually help change the lighting before the shot is captured. She can look at what is happening on location, identify a problem, and work with the team to find a solution.
That combination of creativity, technical skills, people, and problem solving is what makes the work exciting for her.
There is also a side of the profession that people may not see.
Working on location can mean spending significant time away from home. There are flights, long drives, filming days, hotel stays, and hours spent organizing and downloading footage. Travel can be exciting, but it also requires a commitment of time and flexibility.
Silvanna believes understanding those realities is important before choosing any career.
In fact, she sees three common mistakes people make when deciding what they want to do.
Mistake 1: Choosing a Career Based Only on Money
Silvanna cautions against allowing salary to become the primary reason for choosing a profession.
A career might offer a great income, but if the actual work does not match your interests, strengths, or personality, that money may not be enough to make the career fulfilling.
Her advice is to look beyond the paycheck.
Consider what you will actually be doing every day. Will you enjoy the environment? Do you like the type of work? Does it give you opportunities to use your natural strengths?
Money matters, but so does enjoying the life you are building.
Mistake 2: Not Researching the Career
Silvanna believes one of the biggest mistakes people make is committing to a career without understanding what the job is really like.
Education and training require an investment of both time and money. Before making that investment, research the profession.
Learn what someone in that career does during a typical day. Talk with people already working in the industry. Explore training options. Look at the opportunities available and understand both the exciting and challenging parts of the profession.
Silvanna’s own experience in film production is a great example. Someone might love the idea of working on film sets but not realize how much travel and time away from home can come with the job.
The more you know before choosing a path, the better prepared you are to decide whether it fits you.
Mistake 3: Not Knowing Your Strengths
Before deciding what you want to do, Silvanna recommends taking a good look at yourself.
What are you naturally good at?
What do you enjoy?
What kind of environment brings out your best?
Silvanna discovered that her creative skills were only part of the equation. She also enjoys people, changing environments, and solving problems in the moment. Film production allows her to use all of those strengths.
She also encourages young people not to build their future around what everyone else thinks they should do.
Advice can be valuable, but ultimately you are the person who will be living with your career decision.
Build a Career That Fits You
Silvanna’s journey is a reminder that choosing a career should begin with understanding yourself.
Do not choose based only on money. Research what the career actually involves. Understand your strengths. Then look for opportunities that bring those pieces together.
You may discover that skills you already have can take you in a direction you never expected.
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