Name: Joel Panther
Region: Mt Gambier
What does your Digital Media involve?
I’m a hybrid artist – dealing in projection art, video editing, photoshop and animation. My favourite piece of work, although not my most recent, was a short animation project I did for a major back in 2006 – a cute little anime inspired film created entirely in Flash.
What does the term “Digital Media” mean to you?
Digital Media means exactly that – Digital Media. All forms of media that is digitised counts as Digital Media – television, photography, internet, projection; they are all Digital Media.
How do you present your Digital Media?
I use and make various forms of multimedia for arts projects, companies and events. Projection is the primary focus, although I sometimes work in sound. I learnt most of what I know by simply setting a challenge and finding ways to accomplish that challenge – research and development. I’ve also done certificates and other courses in the field of multimedia, digital media and animation.
What medium do you work in?
The Digital Media I have worked with include projection, music, sound, digital imaging and animation.
How did you learn your skills?
I learnt most of what I know by simply setting a challenge and finding ways to accomplish that challenge – research and development. I’ve also done certificates and other courses in the field of multimedia, digital media and animation.
Do you see yourself as a hobbyist, emerging or professional?
Emerging.
Tell us about your path to Digital Media?
I first started using Digital Media around the time the Mini-DV cameras became common place. I think that was around the same time as Photoshop 6 came out. So I started around the beginning of the world turning digital.
What are the skills you use in making your work?
Understanding how technology works is 90% of the job. 10% is the art. You might have a great idea, but unless you have the know how you aren’t going to get very far. Required skills for what I do are primarily computers and other IT.
Is your digital media something you have been drawn to do, or has it been a survival skill ?
I’ve always had an interest in the arts and in computers. So I put them together, and I got this – a digital media artist! I keep up with technology through magazines and the internet. Finding good virtual social networks really helps to keep the information flowing.
Does being familiar with digital media and the tools you use give you any edge in your work or life?
All my working life has been related to what I do in Digital Media. Before going freelance I was an admin of a network used to Photoshop at my day job.
Where do you see these skills taking you in the future?
Hopefully to more paid freelance jobs!
What do others think of you and your work?
Depending on my social group, I get labelled different things. Computer Nerd seems to be the most common. In most professional settings I’m the techie.
Are other forms of technology or software providing you with new opportunities – tell us about it
Social networking is great. Let’s you connect to everyone and keeps everything updated. Skype is also good for face-to-face chats. Honestly, I still do most of my Digital Media related communication via email.
Is there anything else ?
May the Force be with you, always.
