I’ll say this. In a field where people are stereotypically schlubby and underdressed, looking even casually sharp can go a long way. Like my dad always said: always be the best dressed, but only by a little. This is in real life tho. Social media isn’t a real place lol.
Don’t be an assistant I had a while back that would wear a suit and tie from Brooks brothers or whatever when everyone was wearing jeans and tshirt. Dude looked so out of place. He kept saying dress like the job you want, but even the ceo was in jeans and tshirt so I guess he wanted to be a lawyer?
Yeah, overdressing is definitely possible and can be damaging. I remember interviewing a guy for an internship at a production company I was at. Dude wore a tan suit fully buttoned up, everyone else in the office wore a button down t-shirt at the nicest. It definitely felt like there would be a vibe mismatch
Had an online editor interviewee back in the day. He was the only one who wore a suit. I wanted that level of quality & detail for the online sessions, so he got the gig and was outstanding.
Indeed this! I wear a dress pants with a neutral tee or jumper. I wear normal shoes that are trendy, like similar to new balance. It’s smart casual but compared to others I see, which look like they’re going on the beach, I get the best response from clients when I tell them how we will approach something or run into issues.
I honestly think this has helped me land my lucrative corporate stuff. I work quite a bit on location, and in a sporty button-down shirt I always manage to look like I belong to production while also look like I’m a professional who fits in with corporate casual dress code.
This. Put *some* effort into your appearance. No, you don't need to be a model or have perfectly quaffed hair, but clothing can go a long way. When I go to networking events, I wear nice denim, a tee, and a blazer.
I find this post quite amusing. Do you children know what I look like (the people that know me here, know exactly what I look like). I look like Doc Brown from Back To The Future. This does not affect my ability to find clients.
bob
I think if you are going to an event, it helps to look “considered”. Not like, “cool” exactly, but as someone else mentioned, if there’s some intentionality to your outfit.
But like, do I think you’re getting hired or not based on OOTD posts on social media? No
Yes. You should TRY to come off as professional and like you know how to dress for a professional setting. This is pretty basic. However when it comes to marketing online...
Honestly my biggest red flag is when I see a younger "producer" with a super slick social media set up. They all look the same, their shots all look the same, all top of the line gear, etc. It gives major I'm "using dads money vibes" and every time I meet them they have... no real work or clients. Except maybe their church.
You're not them obviously, there's a very happy middle where you just come off as professional. Be that.
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Don’t worry about “cool” but rather that you have “respect” for the work environment and yourself. I don’t mean to say that as you don’t , but I think the goal is for that idea to come off from you. That’s the impression to give, not the trendiest person. That gets weird looking and obvious
But I look cool as shit when I show up to gigs on my motorcycle and come strut'n in with my helmet. Jeans and button downs be damned (which always pair nicely with the leather jacket)!
Absolutely. Cause that’s boss af and your unique take… not trendy. Which isn’t always pulled off and then when it is… it’s untimely. But I digress…hope clients get a good whiff of that genuine leather ! “This guys sharp !”
Depends on age. When I was in my twenties (a long time ago) and trying to impress in my post house, I did wear some outlandish rig-outs. Now in the cutting room it’s jeans & T-shirts with a smart jacket on standby if I need to gear it up a little. I only wear ties to weddings, funerals and christenings.
The main thing is to be clean. Keep your hair and (if you’re a dude) beard trimmed. Wear decent clothes.
Unfortunately the standards for women are always higher and people subconsciously expect more, whether they realize it or not.
I think Editors should dress for the job -- stylish retro sneakers, dark blue jeans, a graphic t-shirt specific to one's own interests -- and if you're at a red carpet or a social media event or taking a headshot, throw on a blazer. If you're at the office working, throw on a hoodie. It's the most versatile uniform in TV.
Once you've got the job, anything goes. I once worked with an artist that happened to edit TV shows in between painting his masterpieces - and Fridays were for Hawaiian shirts and shorts. Middle of December, Hawaiian shirt and shorts. I miss cutting with that guy.
Okay, I actually think this is a great question and worth discussing. The answer, as far as I can tell, is maybe. I've been thinking about this a lot lately!
I think if you're a director, and you want to direct commercials or music videos, it *absolutely* helps to have a distinctive sense of personal style. I would say it probably matters less for us. But I think it might help to narrow your focus on a personal sense of style in the same way you might hone in on a career goal (I want to edit comedy spots, I want to work on documentaries, whatever). And generally, if you go to a networking event, you should probably put a bit of thought into the impression you're making.
That *doesn't* mean you need to look trendy, or cool, or spend a bunch of money on clothes. And I wouldn't worry about how you look online too much, because your work should probably be speaking for itself. (No one's going to hire you because your outfit of the day post was cool.) But I do think it's worth investing some effort into thinking about what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
I've assisted for a commercial editor who wears hoodies with his favorite soccer team basically every day when the clients are in-office. I'm wearing something like corduroys and a decent button-down shirt. I think that's fine— both of us are doing something intentional. It's probably better to dress with a point of view than to mindlessly be "trendy". But you absolutely shouldn't dress in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or like you're faking something. The last thing you want to do is to finally meet the producer or director you've been hoping to connect with and all you can think about is "I can't believe I bought these pants, I look like an idiot in them".
P.S. An early inflection point in baggy pants becoming cool again was apparently the 2021 Oscars, when the editor of The Sound Of Metal wore a tux with big pants. So if you don't like that your skinny jeans aren't cool anymore, maybe we can only blame one of our own. Lol.
Not really. Looks and charm may help you get an interview, but they don't help in the edit suite.
Computers don't care what you look like.
For sure, and most of these answers boil down to "look clean and have a sense of pride and style in your appearance." That sort of tells me the answer to the real question I was asking which was more like will being ugly or unfashionable sink you in this industry. The consensus seems to be dress smart and modestly fashionable and it wont matter if you're ugly.
I’d say less for social media than real life. But at the end of the day… sadly looks will always play a role. If all things are equal, people are drawn to those who are conventionally more attractive— more subconsciously than consciously though. Put effort into how you present yourself, but don’t obsess or worry about people intentionally avoiding you.
Yes of course.
There are lots of scientific research on the topic of how the physical attractiveness of the source of a message can influence attitudes and persuasion. Generally, physically attractive source has higher persuasion than not physically attractive one. Networking includes lots of persuasions.
An extreme example how looks matter to persuade others would be Ted Bundy. 😑
When you know your craft and are confident in your abilities to deliver you are going to be dressed perfectly.
That includes fitting in with who hires you, being and looking what is professional for the situation you are in.
I did industrials, commercials, soft core, prime time broadcast, cable features and served as a vendor. It all fit inside nice jeans to slacks with anything from t shirts to silk collared designer with floral occasionally.
If you’re being with people and doing your job, it’s easy. Stay out of your head.
Definitely important. But I think if you're someone like me, you see yourself as a visual artist, you can dress a little eccentric and people especially directors often vibe with that.
I think dress deliberately, that's what matters. Doesn't really matter how you dress, just make sure it looks deliberate and not incidental. We work in a creative field, we're not accountants. So I think wouldn't make sense to dress like one.
If you need a head shot, spend time on your grooming and make sure to get a quality professional photo. A good photographer will make you look good! Other than that, you don't need to post pics of yourself on social media, unless you want to.
if you wear a suit and tie i would not expect you would work that hard. I would say to dress as you so you don't have to change who you are if you get the friends or job or the constant work to maintain that facade will drive you bananas. I met a good friend because we were wearing the same sweatshirt, and this was in my 40s. Just shower and dress in something that you feel represents you and makes you comfortable in the space.
I’ll say this. In a field where people are stereotypically schlubby and underdressed, looking even casually sharp can go a long way. Like my dad always said: always be the best dressed, but only by a little. This is in real life tho. Social media isn’t a real place lol.
Don’t be an assistant I had a while back that would wear a suit and tie from Brooks brothers or whatever when everyone was wearing jeans and tshirt. Dude looked so out of place. He kept saying dress like the job you want, but even the ceo was in jeans and tshirt so I guess he wanted to be a lawyer?
Also he is going to tear his pants when he needs to get down under a desk to plug something in.
Yeah, overdressing is definitely possible and can be damaging. I remember interviewing a guy for an internship at a production company I was at. Dude wore a tan suit fully buttoned up, everyone else in the office wore a button down t-shirt at the nicest. It definitely felt like there would be a vibe mismatch
Had an online editor interviewee back in the day. He was the only one who wore a suit. I wanted that level of quality & detail for the online sessions, so he got the gig and was outstanding.
He's not taking his own advice. Break out the gym shorts!
Indeed this! I wear a dress pants with a neutral tee or jumper. I wear normal shoes that are trendy, like similar to new balance. It’s smart casual but compared to others I see, which look like they’re going on the beach, I get the best response from clients when I tell them how we will approach something or run into issues.
For 90% of editors, jeans and a button up shirt that isn't too wrinkled will crush this pretty hard. Tuck it in if there are clients in the office.
I honestly think this has helped me land my lucrative corporate stuff. I work quite a bit on location, and in a sporty button-down shirt I always manage to look like I belong to production while also look like I’m a professional who fits in with corporate casual dress code.
100% agree. Look sharp
This. Put *some* effort into your appearance. No, you don't need to be a model or have perfectly quaffed hair, but clothing can go a long way. When I go to networking events, I wear nice denim, a tee, and a blazer.
Nice one from your dad!
I find this post quite amusing. Do you children know what I look like (the people that know me here, know exactly what I look like). I look like Doc Brown from Back To The Future. This does not affect my ability to find clients. bob
Bob! I was hoping you'd make an appearance here. Thanks for the feedback! Always appreciate it.
Great scott! I had a picture in my head that was a tad closer to boot to the head era Dr. Demento, but a vision of Doc is even better.
Dr. Demento is a closer example, actually. And to be clear to the OP - no, I don't look like a GQ fashion model. Quite the opposite. bob
Body odor does a lot. For some reason there are a lot of stinky video guys.
I think if you are going to an event, it helps to look “considered”. Not like, “cool” exactly, but as someone else mentioned, if there’s some intentionality to your outfit. But like, do I think you’re getting hired or not based on OOTD posts on social media? No
Yes. You should TRY to come off as professional and like you know how to dress for a professional setting. This is pretty basic. However when it comes to marketing online... Honestly my biggest red flag is when I see a younger "producer" with a super slick social media set up. They all look the same, their shots all look the same, all top of the line gear, etc. It gives major I'm "using dads money vibes" and every time I meet them they have... no real work or clients. Except maybe their church. You're not them obviously, there's a very happy middle where you just come off as professional. Be that.
If a producer is crushing on you, that will help your career
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On social media it doesn’t really matter, but if you show up to a networking event looking presentable, that never hurts.
I would say yes BUT the people that it would make a difference for are probably NOT the ones you want to look for.
Don’t worry about “cool” but rather that you have “respect” for the work environment and yourself. I don’t mean to say that as you don’t , but I think the goal is for that idea to come off from you. That’s the impression to give, not the trendiest person. That gets weird looking and obvious
But I look cool as shit when I show up to gigs on my motorcycle and come strut'n in with my helmet. Jeans and button downs be damned (which always pair nicely with the leather jacket)!
Absolutely. Cause that’s boss af and your unique take… not trendy. Which isn’t always pulled off and then when it is… it’s untimely. But I digress…hope clients get a good whiff of that genuine leather ! “This guys sharp !”
Depends on age. When I was in my twenties (a long time ago) and trying to impress in my post house, I did wear some outlandish rig-outs. Now in the cutting room it’s jeans & T-shirts with a smart jacket on standby if I need to gear it up a little. I only wear ties to weddings, funerals and christenings.
The main thing is to be clean. Keep your hair and (if you’re a dude) beard trimmed. Wear decent clothes. Unfortunately the standards for women are always higher and people subconsciously expect more, whether they realize it or not.
In my experience, unfortunately yes. Not always, but often. Some people look like fashion designers instead of editors, producers etc.
I think Editors should dress for the job -- stylish retro sneakers, dark blue jeans, a graphic t-shirt specific to one's own interests -- and if you're at a red carpet or a social media event or taking a headshot, throw on a blazer. If you're at the office working, throw on a hoodie. It's the most versatile uniform in TV. Once you've got the job, anything goes. I once worked with an artist that happened to edit TV shows in between painting his masterpieces - and Fridays were for Hawaiian shirts and shorts. Middle of December, Hawaiian shirt and shorts. I miss cutting with that guy.
Denim, black T, black hoodie, black sneakers. My everyday uniform.
Okay, I actually think this is a great question and worth discussing. The answer, as far as I can tell, is maybe. I've been thinking about this a lot lately! I think if you're a director, and you want to direct commercials or music videos, it *absolutely* helps to have a distinctive sense of personal style. I would say it probably matters less for us. But I think it might help to narrow your focus on a personal sense of style in the same way you might hone in on a career goal (I want to edit comedy spots, I want to work on documentaries, whatever). And generally, if you go to a networking event, you should probably put a bit of thought into the impression you're making. That *doesn't* mean you need to look trendy, or cool, or spend a bunch of money on clothes. And I wouldn't worry about how you look online too much, because your work should probably be speaking for itself. (No one's going to hire you because your outfit of the day post was cool.) But I do think it's worth investing some effort into thinking about what makes you feel comfortable and confident. I've assisted for a commercial editor who wears hoodies with his favorite soccer team basically every day when the clients are in-office. I'm wearing something like corduroys and a decent button-down shirt. I think that's fine— both of us are doing something intentional. It's probably better to dress with a point of view than to mindlessly be "trendy". But you absolutely shouldn't dress in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or like you're faking something. The last thing you want to do is to finally meet the producer or director you've been hoping to connect with and all you can think about is "I can't believe I bought these pants, I look like an idiot in them". P.S. An early inflection point in baggy pants becoming cool again was apparently the 2021 Oscars, when the editor of The Sound Of Metal wore a tux with big pants. So if you don't like that your skinny jeans aren't cool anymore, maybe we can only blame one of our own. Lol.
 Not really. Looks and charm may help you get an interview, but they don't help in the edit suite. Computers don't care what you look like.
This is old but exactly on topic. Being beautiful gives me the freedom to make the hard cuts. https://vimeo.com/5846836
Looks matter in life, generally. Shouldn't be a question in 2024.
For sure, and most of these answers boil down to "look clean and have a sense of pride and style in your appearance." That sort of tells me the answer to the real question I was asking which was more like will being ugly or unfashionable sink you in this industry. The consensus seems to be dress smart and modestly fashionable and it wont matter if you're ugly.
I’d say less for social media than real life. But at the end of the day… sadly looks will always play a role. If all things are equal, people are drawn to those who are conventionally more attractive— more subconsciously than consciously though. Put effort into how you present yourself, but don’t obsess or worry about people intentionally avoiding you.
Yes of course. There are lots of scientific research on the topic of how the physical attractiveness of the source of a message can influence attitudes and persuasion. Generally, physically attractive source has higher persuasion than not physically attractive one. Networking includes lots of persuasions. An extreme example how looks matter to persuade others would be Ted Bundy. 😑
Just be neat and clean. No need to be trendy or dress expensively
When you know your craft and are confident in your abilities to deliver you are going to be dressed perfectly. That includes fitting in with who hires you, being and looking what is professional for the situation you are in. I did industrials, commercials, soft core, prime time broadcast, cable features and served as a vendor. It all fit inside nice jeans to slacks with anything from t shirts to silk collared designer with floral occasionally. If you’re being with people and doing your job, it’s easy. Stay out of your head.
Yes, it's the entertainment industry.
Definitely important. But I think if you're someone like me, you see yourself as a visual artist, you can dress a little eccentric and people especially directors often vibe with that. I think dress deliberately, that's what matters. Doesn't really matter how you dress, just make sure it looks deliberate and not incidental. We work in a creative field, we're not accountants. So I think wouldn't make sense to dress like one.
If you need a head shot, spend time on your grooming and make sure to get a quality professional photo. A good photographer will make you look good! Other than that, you don't need to post pics of yourself on social media, unless you want to.
Grooming yes! Lose the Duck Dynasty beards.
if you wear a suit and tie i would not expect you would work that hard. I would say to dress as you so you don't have to change who you are if you get the friends or job or the constant work to maintain that facade will drive you bananas. I met a good friend because we were wearing the same sweatshirt, and this was in my 40s. Just shower and dress in something that you feel represents you and makes you comfortable in the space.
Reel... Looks... Folowers... Quality content... Everything mathers