Determination can go a long way. Though VCNI junior video editor Sidney Berthier doesn't explicitly say it, he has plenty of determination to spare and his current career path was solely guaranteed by a host of childhood dreams.
His path may have just begun, but Sidney's already had the chance to work on several projects for Channel 5 and his creativity is constantly evolving and looking at the horizon ahead.
With references to dreams of inclusivity and fairness for all creatives, we've had a chance to speak with a talented, self-taught media assistant who, we can predict, will certainly have a lot more surprises on hold further down the road. And we can't wait to see them all.
How did you get into the industry?
My first job in media was after graduating from my Masters degree. Working in social video, I managed clients and their ad campaigns. During this time, I developed my own film projects and refined my editing skills, which then allowed me to get my first technical job in TV as a Junior Video Editor. I am currently based in North London and work for ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), mostly on the Channel 5 side.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
I've always dreamt of owning a vintage guitar store.
Can you explain your creative process?
I tend to work in a concise way, narrowing down the brief to a few keywords and logging the footage. I simultaneously start to think about rhythm and audio. I love working with music tracks. The rest is a series of logical choices based on what works and what the client responds to (or not).
How has technology affected the way you work (if at all)?
Technology has certainly made learning new skills a lot easier. I am completely self-taught and would never have progressed as quickly without online resources or affordable hardware.
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
I tend to consume an incredible amount of content, as well as tutorials and online videos which I then write about in my blog. This allows me to keep track of where I can get ideas or resources from if needed. I also use apps like Letterboxd to keep track of what I watch.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
I am incredibly proud of where I am at the moment. Working at Channel 5 gives me the chance to be creative and technical on a daily basis, which is something I had been dreaming about since I was a teenager.
How do you recharge away from the office?
Spending time with my partner and friends is usually a great way to recharge. I also love doing things alone like going to the movies or perusing book shops.
What advice would you give to other aspiring creatives looking for work?
Being genuinely inspired by what you are working on is a great way to figure out what the next step is. I've found that most of time, if you know what you like or don't like you're halfway there. The rest is good self-promotion and a quality of work that speaks for itself.
What’s your one big hope for the future of the creative industries?
I hope they will become fairer, more diverse and less privilege-oriented. Unfortunately formal training is still expensive and most of us are often expected to work for free, even though you would never ask such a thing from a dentist or mechanic.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
I would love to see more solidarity and opportunity. The creative struggle is very real and it would be great to see corporations taking more risks in terms of the content they produce and the talent they choose to hire.
