Real Communicator: Carly Gilleland

real communicator

image NAME: Carly Gilleland

OCCUPATION: Videographer/photographer/studio manager

My life is about messages and perspectives. I run a video production and photography company and chronicle messages for clients in one of two ways. First, I do lifestyle video and photography work that includes covering private events like weddings, engagements, and parties. Second, I work with businesses in order to provide marketing and product materials, such as promotional videos, internal training videos, and even yoga fitness DVDs.

It is vital that I understand the perspectives of my clients to fashion the words and visuals that tell their stories. Lifestyle work often means that I have to tailor my approach to each client I work with, since I’m capturing an event that is often very personal. When doing business and marketing work, I take a more professional tone, since the focus should be mainly on the organization and its needs.

While getting my degree in film and media studies, I took full advantage of courses and opportunities. I never met a communication course I didn’t like, and I got early experience in leadership, marketing, fundraising, and videography by getting involved in campus and community activities related to those courses. In the lead-up to President Barack Obama’s inauguration, a group of communication students and I made a three-week road trip documentary to document the occasion. In college, I also started shooting marketing videos for the Special Olympics, which I continue to do up to this day.

Although I enjoyed my interpersonal course in college, I didn’t expect just how important it would turn out to be. In order to craft messages and understand others’ perspectives, I have to constantly adjust my communication style, and that takes skills of perception, language, nonverbal communication, and listening. Just one example is my current role in freelancing at Civitan, a volunteer organization with a special emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. My sister is autistic and has Turner’s syndrome, and I feel so honored to be able to use my media and interpersonal skills to help not only her but also the many children and adults who have disabilities in our community (along with their families). Here again, messages and perspectives are so important when I’m shooting short videos (for both internal and marketing purposes). Some of the people are more receptive to nonverbal messages, whereas others respond better to clear, precise language.

Messages and perspectives are important in my personal life, too. My young daughter is a little sponge, taking in everything I do and say, and I want to send the right messages to her. To do this, I must take her perspective into account—not expecting too much or too little of her for her age. My career allows me a lot of flexibility, so I’m able to get the balance of family and career that makes me a happy person.