1. Please introduce yourself.

Hello, I’m Ga Chae Won. I’m majoring in playwriting at Seoul Institute of the Arts while working as a planning PD and editor in parts of the media like commercials and movies.

2. Why did you want to be a video PD?

I entered this line of work through video editing. When I was in middle school, I participated in a career exploration UCC contest with my friend. I had to edit and add subtitles to a video that was about broadcasting. I became able to use Vegas, a video editing software. Since then, I have gradually learned editing skills by continuously filming and editing school festival videos, graduation videos, and campaign videos. When I was a sophomore in high school, I took a similar class and studied a lot. One day, the so-called "reality check” hit me. I wondered what I was doing living such a rat-race life. Mike Nichols' movie Graduation, which I secretly watched on my phone during evening self-study, was so good that it made me forget my studies and fall in love with the movie. I’ve seen almost all of the movies mentioned in the book The History of World Film. I've been editing videos since I was young, and because my head was full of movies, I naturally thought ‘Oh, I should work with videos.’ After my graduation, I started to work in the video field by joining the CG team for commercial productions.

3. Are you satisfied with your job?

The work environment and tasks are very different. I’m working as a PD in a company that produces videos for educational purposes and commercials. Before I started at this company, I worked as part of a CG team for commercials, and as an editor for film productions, I produced TV drama series such as Extraordinary You, When My Love Blooms, and Lie after Lie. Generally, for jobs related to video, it is hard to keep a balance between work and life. In particular, when undertaking editing and post-production tasks, I am always under pressure to meet deadlines, so overnight work and weekend work is part of my everyday life. However, I’m realizing that my work and life are balanced now since we have a better telecommuting system than in my previous workplace. There are no space constraints and I am free to manage my time, so I enjoy working not only at home, but also in cafés by the Han River, and at nice travel spots. Also, the planning part is very attractive in that I can design the concept and the composition of videos.

4. About playwriting, where do your inspiration and the joy of writing come from?

I'm already in my fourth year as an office worker, so, sometimes, I want to enjoy college life and campus life that people my age usually experience. The criteria for choosing the school I wanted to go to were clear-cut: job-relatedness, non-reflection of KSAT scores, and department related to writing and film.

To enter a school that met the above conditions, I constantly watched movies and practiced screenwriting, and I received a letter of acceptance. Currently, I'm in the playwriting department at Seoul Institute of the Arts, and I'm working for a company, so I study and work. Most people think that screenwriters craft big stories like blockbusters, but that's not true. Everything from ordinary daily life and situations, people, and the weather can all be sources for material and inspiration. Also, because of the attributes of the department, even if there are no midterms or final exams, you often have to complete scenarios or plays or write scripts for performances. So, I always take notes on potential subject matter. Creating things that might be possible by adding my imagination to selected materials, that's the play. I always feel rewarded by creating new things, but I think the difference between writing as a hobby and as part of one’s studies is huge. We must carefully consider probabilities and timeliness and prepare for contests. However, there are too many things to write about, so if your mental and physical strength aren't strong, this field is hell. I'm always trying to enjoy my school life while writing.

5. Can you explain the whole process of video production?

The planning part involves everything from setting the overall tone of a video to detailed filming, editing, and the budget. First, we set two or three concepts based on the references we have searched and what we have received. When we set the concept, we need to consider the production conditions, the budget, targets, and the characteristics of the transmission medium. After organizing the concept, we choose the final concept and add the details after a meeting. We make scripts and content and set the direction of filming and editing. If all directions have been set, it is now the production planning part, from purchasing necessary props to casting and managing the filming location. After that, we check whether the filming is going well, editing well, and reflect on feedback through continuous communication with advertisers to complete the video. I think I have a lot of affection for every video I've planned because I've been a part of them from the beginning to the moment that they are completed and delivered to advertisers.

6. Why have you had various jobs? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having multiple jobs?

First of all, I didn't think I needed to work in one job. I've always had various interests, so I wanted to work in various fields. Therefore, I could experience various roles such as editing, planning, designing, and writing for several companies such as a CG company, comprehensive editing production company, documentary production company, and a nongovernmental diplomatic group. That's what video work is all about, everything. The parts are divided, but there are overlapping parts, so one person can do all the parts. As I now work from home, my work efficiency has increased, so I have more time. So, the advantage is that my income increases as I do more jobs! You can earn more money and live a richer life. Also, it's all about video and design, so the more I work, the more knowledge and experience I accumulate, so I kill two birds with one stone. I think the disadvantage is that if you do something wrong, your work-life balance can collapse. Come to think of it, there are more advantages than disadvantages!

7. Do you have anything to say to Korean college students who are struggling to get a job?

Have fun when you can. Focus on preparing quickly and briefly. I hope you get a job offering a good work-life balance or at least one that pays overtime and provides good benefits. As I've been here and there, I don't think the titles of large and small companies are that important. I hope you find a company that provides job satisfaction and high quality of life. I hope you succeed in getting a job! Thank you.