Dressing for Success

[BluesCam]

I have a turnkey shop (script to screen) and sometimes I have to go meet a corporate client and pitch my company's services. I'm finding it more and more difficult to make the proper choice of what to wear to these presentations. I rarely wear a suit. I may wear a sport coat with a dress shirt and no tie or a mock turtle neck.

Recently, I went to a meeting at a global manufacturer. The whole team I met were "20 something" except for one guy. They all had on sweatshirts and tees! I felt over dressed with a coat on (no tie).

I have a big meeting coming up with a medical facility. I like to come across as a creative type and clothes can help or hurt in the first impression department.

How do you folks approach the critical first meeting?

[Run&Gun]

Maybe you can ask the secretary when you call up to these places to schedule the meetings. I would think you would be okay dressing up at the medical facility(I hope).

[Matt Box]

If its really important then go to the office the day before and sneek a look. It's always better to be over dressed than under.

[Max Girth]

You need to have a feel for the client and how they do business. Do as much research as you can on them and their culture. Stuff like this goes a long way.

In my line of business, I have to go out of my way sometimes to be a little eccentric, to let the people that hire me know that I "get" it.

("it" being marketing to the teenager set)

[Mike]

I take the way I dress very importantly. It most definitely projects and image that can affect how you are judged. I am a professional and I want to project a professional image.

Unless I know in advance that I am going on an unusually messy or physical shoot, I always dress "elevated business casual." If it is a meeting or a formal event, I will wear a blazer or suit. If in doubt, wear a nice shirt and bring along an appropriate tie and coat and if you have time, you can adjust on the fly (before you actually have your meeting).

--Mike

[PHX Shooter]

Business casual is always a safe bet. That is something like khakis (or slacks), dress shirt, decent shoes and nice sweater/sport coat. You probably don't need a suit and tie unless you're meeting with exec staff in a financial related business. In my previous corporate life, I did meetings all over the country and the only time it seemed like suits and ties were more "normal" was in the Northeast. If it's a tech company, typically, the dress standards will be more lax. If it's a consumer packaged goods company, the biz casual will be fine.

[BluesCam]

Thanks for the feedback. We seem to be on the same wavelength on this. I guess a haircut is a good idea too, and to think I used to have hair half way down my back :>}

[freedom]

I'm not so sure...
If you are the 'creative guy' then you should look the part. They aren't hiring an accountant or a lawyer, they're hiring a filmmaker. You should look the part, especially if you are doing anything youthful, cutting edge or whatever. If you are only doing CEO talking heads then make sure you have some grey in your hair and wear a blazer. Otherwise, you should develop your own look that shows you are creative, individual, talented and exceptional. Not grungy or sloppy but original and stylish in your own way. And wear it with confidence!

[PHX Shooter]

Freedom, while there is some truth in what you're saying, I followed my own advice and went on some interviews and client meetings. From what they told me, my professional appearance and demeanor set me apart from the other candidates. First impressions really do count and those first 30 seconds can be important. Act like a pro, dress like a pro and you'll be treated as such. Once you've got the gig and know the landscape, then break out the AC/DC t-shirt, high tops and jeans.

[Matt Box]

PHX.... under no circumstances should you ever break out the ac/dc t-shirt, high tops and jeans....... unless your filming an ac/dc show.

;)

[Baltimore Shooter]

PHX.... under no circumstances should you ever break out the ac/dc t-shirt, high tops and jeans....... unless your filming an ac/dc show.

;)

You think that's bad, you ought to see the guys on feature films and episodic shows. Holy hell, they look like the just walked out of the grease pit at Jiffy Lube. I've shot several behind-the-scenes type of stuff and they all dress like that. The AC/DC shirt and high tops would be like formal wear around a film set.

Warren

[Icarus112277]

I refuse to work anywhere that is more strict that no t-shurts or dress blacks. **** that, I don' work at a desk and if I'm in a suit someone died or got married (same thing I think).

[SimonW]

Damn it Jim, I'm a cameraman, not a Stock Broker!

[Graybeard]

A couple of weeks ago we had to do a shoot with George W. We got the word that it had to be "coat & tie". Aaargh, that's tough for an old "hippie". But then, the Prez shows up casual, no tie, and for once we were the ones overdressed.

[Baltimore Shooter]

I once did a shoot where the camera crew were required to wear a tux. I was shooting the big gala for QVC at the opening of their Studio Park facility.

Warren

[Matt Box]

Ive done the Oscars a few times and had to wear the tux..... You look great untill you have to pick up the camera. I have a friend who is a busy steadicam op and he had a specially tailored tux so he can wear it over his vest.

What I have noticed is that it seems like everyone I have worked for or with lately from LA looks like they just stepped off the catwalk at some hipster fashion show. I really need some $200 jeans and a t-shirt thats 3 sizes too small so I can fit it. ;)

[freedom]

Yea, I've worn a tux to shoot the symphony and had to wear coat & tie on occasion plus the 'business casual' frequently.
But Bluescam says he is a turnkey shop. So I assume he is making programming, not just shooting. So he's an idea person, creating stories for his clients and he should look the part. I hate t-shirts and would never wear somebody elses BS on my chest (AC/DC) but that's not what I'm talking about. A typical coat & tie isn't all that 'creative' looking. Be creative & stylish to project a unique image. Take a look inside an ad agency and other than the account execs you won't see a tie in the place.
Dress boring and you'll get all the boring training videos you can handle. Dress for sucess and chances are you will have access to more creative and lucrative work. Of course you have to deliver the goods too!

[krazycamera]

I'd hate to suggest a blazer or sports jacket looks like you were an extra in "AnchorMan; The story of Ron Burgandy" - let's make one distinction - NO TWEED! You're not in the clubhouse at the nineteenth hole any more Tiger!
Sure, ACDC has a time and place, personally, scope it first, or when in doubt dress up then relax it. I'm all about boring primary coloured collared shirts, no tie, no jacket on the first date.

Then show me your best Ramones tee! Creative often equals comfortable and worn - ripped jeans are a no no, but gaffered boots are ok!!!

[Max Girth]

What I have noticed is that it seems like everyone I have worked for or with lately from LA looks like they just stepped off the catwalk at some hipster fashion show. I really need some $200 jeans and a t-shirt thats 3 sizes too small so I can fit it. ;)

That was my point in my post above. If I show up to a job where I'm expected to direct and/or shoot for a product marketed as "hip" or "teen" or "young" (and that's an awful lot of work out here), then I better not look like I just stepped out of a Dockers commercial. With a fanny pack. I need to look like I'm the guy who's going to communicate best with their intended audience.

I'm not trying to say that this schtick is better, just trying to illustrate my point that the people who hire you are looking for different things, and you're best off if you find out what that is before you show up. Some want creative. Some want professional (as in office). Some want professional (as in seasoned pro cameraman).

For me, playing it safe with dockers and a polo shirt does not work.

[Nino]

There are 3 reasons of why I wear a suit, weddings, funerals and sales calls. When I work is shorts and t-shirts.
Creative people are notoriously lousy business people, I’m no exception. When I started in business over 30 years ago I soon realized that I was in business and I knew nothing about managing a business. I enrolled to a local university and start taking business courses. I had no intentions of becoming another Lee Iacocca, I just needed to minimize my screw-ups. One of the things that my instructors stressed was the importance of dressing for the role that you are playing. BluesCam asked what he should wear for sales calls. At this point he is not a creative person he is a salesman dealing with executives and he should dress accordingly. You’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression. No matter what the dress code is, a good salesman will always dress accordingly to what’s customary in the business world. Everybody knows that putting on a suit is a pain in the rear and by showing up to your client wearing one you are giving the message that he is worth the extra effort and you are showing respect. They might have a dress-down policy in their place of business but you are not belonged there, you are an outsider.

Did you ever go to NAB? Everyone attending the show dress extra casual, but (most) salesmen on the exhibit floor if they don’t have some sort of uniform they wear conservative suit and ties, the bigger the company the more conservative the dress code.

[Baltimore Shooter]

There's a company I shoot a lot for that wants the crew to wear button down shirts or a polo shirt and no tennis shoes or t shirts (unless the t shirt is worn under a button down). Jeans are okay as long as they are dressy or clean jeans (no dirt stains or holes). I don't mind it, I'm actually fine with it. Other shoots I'll wear the same or I'll wear jeans and a t shirt, depending on what I'm shooting and if I'm indoors or out. I haven't shot in shorts in a long time because I had to wear long pants to shoot drag racing so I just started wearing pants all the time in the Summer.

Warren

But when meeting w/ a client, I'll wear a sport coat w/ a button down shirt and khakis or dressy jeans.

[Stoney]

Go with the flow when in Rome.

I love shorts and can get away with it in SF year-round but if I don't know where I am going I wear pants and collared shirt. Just like in Catholic School! Tuck it in and look presentable. Bust out the Euro-closet for LA clients and music gigs. Sometimes wear the Red Sox hat if it is an East Coast client (leads to interesting conversation and NY fans love to comment on it). Basically, I do what I want within reason. If a client wants a suit, they get it. Will I be happy in 100+ degree weather in a dark suit, no, but that's why I left Phoenix!

[freedom]

I had to wear long pants to shoot drag racing so I just started wearing pants all the time in the Summer.

Warren

But when meeting w/ a client, I'll wear a sport coat w/ a button down shirt and khakis or dressy jeans.



You still shooting drag wearing khaki pants and powder blue t-shirts?

[Baltimore Shooter]

You still shooting drag wearing khaki pants and powder blue t-shirts?

HAHA! No khakis, jeans instead, but I wore the powder blue shirt, after all they gave it to me and I don't wear it anywhere else.

Warren