Is Imposter Syndrome Real?
Hell yeah it is. I’ve been doing this for decades and I still wonder when everyone is going to realize that I dont know what i’m doing. Around every corner there lies a shot that I might not be able to do but so far, it hasn’t caught me yet. But yeah, it’s real and you’re not alone.
Meaning do I doubt myself? All the time. Look, you need to ahev. big ego for this business, so you can walk on to a set and let people know that they can have confidence in you because you can do anything they throw at you. But deep down inside, every one of us knows that we are fallible. Every person out there is. The key is acknowledging it and not letting it get in the way of your performance. Put it in a box, shut the lid, and do your job.
Yes.
Next question.
Since every new job is a job about new connections or new energy it is always becomes a situation of having to prove your self. You have to prove yourself with the DP, the Director, the Producers, the dolly grip, the camera assistants; but in that light every new job is another opportunity to be the operator you aspire to. I never feel like an imposter, that I shouldn’t be there, but I do often feel like I should be further along or on the A camera after all these years behind my belt. It is hard to deal with but I try and remind myself to be grateful that you are doing what you love.
This one is short and sweet. I stopped feeling like someone was going to discover I was making things up as I went a long time ago. It's the result of the accumulation of experience. You eventually reach a level of knowledge and confidence that makes you comfortable.
However, you should also have learned that you don't know everything and you never will. Confidence and experience are what allows me to say, without any embarrassment, that I have never run into a particular situation before and that I'm happy to take suggestions from anyone who has. There is zero ego involved. I know I'm good at my job, but I also know there's always something new to learn.
