Chat: Julie Dickson

Interviewer: Julie thank you for talking to us tonight, in our live online chat room.

Julie Dickson: Hi, I’m Julie, thanks for having me, if you have any questions please go ahead!

pdark asks: Why is it do you feel Gen Y has to prove themselves to older generations?

Julie Dickson: I think that we don’t need to prove ourselves so much, it’s just letting the older generations know that we have our own ideas and we’re not willing to give up.

Marie asks: What is the best type of interview to attend?

Julie Dickson: For me the best type of interview to attend would be one for a job that I really really want and know a lot about so that I can go on with complete confidence and blow them away.

antonia91 asks: How did you get the job as a spray tanner?

Julie Dickson: I created the business on my own. I saw an opportunity which wasn’t present in the state that I lived in and I grabbed it.

rodyates asks: What do you think is the best way of helping new entrepreneurs get started?

Julie Dickson: The best way is to get your self out there, online as that is where more people are these days. And network with as many people as you possibly can.

geny13 asks: I have a question. I lost my job in April because of the recession, 3 days before my 21st birthday. I now have a job with an aussie telco. It isn’t my dream job but its a job. I have a desire within to achieve something more than what I’ve got, But I just cant seem to take the right steps to get there... any suggestions??

Julie Dickson: Find out what it is you really really want to do, do as much research on that as possible and go ahead and make it happen. You just have to take the steps you need to to follow your dreams and don’t give up.

kev7 asks: It isn't fair to generalise all GenYers as being all the same - but from my experience in the corporate world, I've been completely baffled by the GenYers I've worked with, truly believing that they can just waltz in and just start being a senior manager, without any experience or wisdom. Do you think that this type of brazen attitude is affecting GenYers to find work now? Do GenYers realise the damage done to themselves by their own self-centred approach?

Julie Dickson: I think that attitude is general within Gen Y, as our generation does want to achieve things rather quickly and I think that eventually it will be accepted that that is the way that we are and I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I think that persistence and showing enthusiasm towards reaching the top is a positive step rather than a negative.

Dean asks: Any suggestions for a skilled, professional, motivated person who wants to work but struggles to gain employment??

Julie Dickson: If you are skilled and motivated in a particular career or career path, don’t seek employment with someone else, create your own employment and possibly create your own business in doing what you want to do. Do your research, work hard and you’ll achieve it.

Lissy_Mac asks: How do you choose your areas for diversification, and what are some of the fundamentals for networking?

Julie Dickson: Some of the fundamentals for networking such as MySpace, Facebook, free online advertising, social events, networking meetings are the best way to get your business out there and the most important thing is within your business, create a niche that sets you apart from everyone else.

MissAnoni asks: I was inspired by your original ideas to find yourself work. What qualifications do you have?

Julie Dickson: I have a certificate in Office Administration (business), certificate in front line management and I have done some studies in legal aspects. However qualifications and writing on a piece of paper mean nothing in this day, the best qualifications and experience you can get is by putting yourself out there and obtaining the qualifications through experiencing it yourself.

finefine asks: Julie what made you go to Adelaide?

Julie Dickson: It was a change, and a new opportunity, I knew nobody. And I wanted a challenge. Adelaide is a lot smaller than other cities and so the challenge was much greater.

knight1 asks: Do you feel more opportunistic with regard to picking up your video shooting now that you have been able to get on TV tonight?

Julie Dickson: I think that it could possibly help, however we’ll just have to wait and see. At the end of the day, running any business whether you are on TV or not is hard work. People put advertisements on the TV for their business all the time, yet I’m quite sure they are still struggling.

MissAnoni asks: I don't believe that the unemployment rates in Gen Y is all their fault. They're not the ones running the country. What do you think about this?

Julie Dickson: I don’t think that it’s Gen Y’s fault either, I believe that it’s a situation Gen Y need to deal with and in a sense it’s probably previous generations that have created what is happening today, but it’s happened before and it will probably happen again and we all just need to push forward and deal with it.

Lissy_Mac asks: What are some useful professional associations for multi media production people?

Julie Dickson: The Australian Film Corporation, which would be the best for Australia wide. And there are loads out there, and the best advice I can give would be to search for them online.

Flair4Hair asks: Did it take long to establish your film business?

Julie Dickson: Yes it did, it took probably around two years now to get to the point we are. But from the way I look at it, we still have a long way to go in regards to being fully established and being up with the best of them.

jd271166 asks: I work in advertising, and have done so for 20 years, where do you believe that YOU will end up working if you sit back and think about it?

Julie Dickson: In 20 years time I hope to have myself Socialite Tan fully established and hopefully franchised out and Scheffilm Productions at a stage where we have to employ staff as the work load at a level where we can’t deal with it on our own.

MissAnoni asks: When applying for a job, do you leave anything out?

Julie Dickson: I guess that depends on the individual, it’s always best to be completely honest when applying for a job as with technology these days, you’re more than likely to be find out anyways. If you have a negative history within your employment, try your best to turn it into a positive.

Peter asks: I really like the bit of the video that was showed on the show, who were they? I've never heard them before?

Julie Dickson: There are TDB, which starts Tha Deadly Boyz. They’re an aboriginal hip-hop rap artist. For more information, check them out at www.thadeadlyboyz.com.

MissAnoni asks: How many different artists did you make films for and did they use your business again?

Julie Dickson: We made 1 for Sonic Monkey and 1 on the go for TDB (we’ve made two so far) and the one on the show was the next for TDB, so to answer your questions, yes!

deks81 asks: Would you describe yourself as a typical Gen Y person? The same type of person who needs everything now?

Julie Dickson: Yes I would. I do have the mentality that I want everything now, it’s not always achievable, but I think having that drive is a positive thing. Because if you don’t want them now, when are we ever going to get them?

Peter asks: What made you actually go into the film business?

Julie Dickson: It was when I took part in my first feature film as an actress and I met the director. We became very good friends and I decided that that was the industry that I wanted to be in.

MissAnoni asks: What tips could you give the younger children that are still in school, to avoid entering the world unemployed?

Julie Dickson: I suppose just be prepared, keep your mind open and develop skills in as many areas as you possibly can. Don’t just focus in one area, you have to remain versatile.

Jonathan asks: Are you open to any kind of photography or do you specialise?

Julie Dickson: We film anything, from film to music videos to weddings to television advertisements. You dream it, and we make it a reality.

cj2509 asks: Hi, I like your ambition. I am into a bit of art and drawing and would like to know how i could make an opportunity out of that and where to start. Any ideas?

Julie Dickson: I think the first thing to do would be to create a portfolio for yourself of your work and then get it out to as many people as possible by creating a website, a MySpace, a Facebook to advertise your work and create interest.

MissAnoni asks: Do you think it matters if you come from a public or private school?

Julie Dickson: No I don’t think it matters at all, I’m from a public school and I think whether public or private, it makes no difference, it’s up to the individual and whether you have the drive to achieve or not.

Travesy asks: I’m going for a job test tomorrow and I'm heaps nervous about it, I have all this testing to do for it. Any advice on how I should calm myself for it?

Julie Dickson: I think the best thing to do is relax and understand that you are you, and you can achieve what you want to achieve. Learn it the best you can and have full confidence in yourself that you can do it. I always believe that you should act like you are already wearing the crown.

deks81 asks: Why move from Queensland to Adelaide? Isn't the film industry and job prospects better in Queensland?

Julie Dickson: I think within film, it doesn’t matter where you are or what state you live in, the film industry is always going to be difficult. Film in Adelaide is quite large, however it’s just not as heard of as in other states. I think in a way, this presents more of a challenge.

MissAnoni asks: Where can we find your contacts if we want to use your business and how much does it charge?

Julie Dickson: You can visit the website at www.scheffilmproductions.com, and you can contact us via the website and we will provide you with a free quote. Every project is different that’s why we don’t provide prices online, but we can you a rough estimate.

tiatoria asks: What would you say is the best way to get a job? Join a agency or just use the internet?

Julie Dickson: I think if you are really looking for work, both! The internet has a lot of jobs on there, however a lot of employers seek the help from agencies, so it’s best to go with both.

Interviewer: Julie once again thank you, do you have anything else you would like to share before we finish tonight?

Julie Dickson: Thank you and for more information please visit our websites at www.socialitetans.com and www.scheffilmproductions.com, we strive to be the best and will beat any price. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at all and we’d be more than happy to answer them.

Interviewer: Once again thank you and goodnight.

Interviewer: This concludes our chat with Julie Dickson, Sunday July 12, 2009.