Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Majors.
Hi Allison, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
A lifelong fan of entertainment, consumer of all media, and full time “idea person”, I found myself attending the University of Georgia studying Special Education, not fully feeling like this was the path that was meant for me, but not sure where I WAS meant to be. It was a chance opportunity helping a friend from work on the set of her student film I fell in love with the production process and realized there was a real career possibility in video production for me. The artistry, the cooperation between departments, the endless problem-solving and chance to think of out-of-the-box solutions that still speak to an audience… I was inspired and couldn’t get the idea of working in this environment out of my head.
Because I lived in Atlanta, which was at the height of its Hollywood production at the time, I was able to use my Summer break to work as an extra on a major motion picture to test and see if this life was “for me”. Immediately upon returning to school I applied to add “Entertainment and Media Studies” as a second major to catch up on creative and technical skills I’d need to make this new path into a sustainable reality. It was certainly not easy to complete two degrees and a minor in 4.5 years, but when you find something you love and are just stubborn enough to not fully give up on something you’ve already given 3 years to, you find the time and energy to get it all done.
Thanks to some terrific professors and mentors within the Grady College at the University of Georgia, I was put in contact with a boutique production company in Atlanta who was looking for an Associate Producer, and the rest is history! I am happy to say that since then, I have been working with Atlanta ImageArts first as an Associate Producer, then a Producer, and have since added Post-Production Supervisor to my roles. This job has allowed me to work with both locally and internationally beloved brands and physically taken me all across the United States to lead crews in telling some incredible stories. There is truly no other industry I could see myself in, and I count myself as blessed to be able to wake up and do a job I love each day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say, overall, that my journey has been thankfully quite constant, which is unfortunately not the norm in this industry. There have certainly been hurdles along the way: a global pandemic forcing us to completely change the way we plan, coordinate, and even shoot projects; each project comes with it’s unique constraints and unexpected challenges; practicing in real-time all the professional skills that school cannot teach you as you are working the job; etc. But I will say I’ve been so fortunate to work for a fantastic company with wonderful people who have invested in me and my growth and who consistently allowed me the space and support to try new things and take on new challenges.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The vast majority of my work has been in corporate video and communications, running the gamut from training videos to social media pieces to live event content. I’ve made a name for myself within my company as someone who specializes in human-interest pieces and projects with heart, and I work well under tight deadlines and tight budgets while still telling stories our clients are proud of in engaging and creative ways. I like to keep a pulse on what current trends in media are, both in long-form and short-form media, to keep the look and feel of videos fresh, but I am also adept at making sure that my pieces fit the brand and tone my clients are known for.
I love opportunities to work with clients and talent across the spectrum of experience and have garnered a reputation of being easy to work with while also working hard to make the end product exactly what the client wants and needs. Some of my favorite projects have been an announcement of Sign Language uniform bars for Delta employees creating a video exclusively using ASL, a story about a couple who named their child after Delta Air Lines which took me to Honolulu and brought me my second opportunity to work with interviewees relying on the use of a a translator, and a Flight Attendant training video series featuring testimonials of human trafficking survivors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I would say that I have been a lucky person to work with the people I do and have certainly had my share of good cards dealt to me. However, I am continually shown that dedication, reliability, professionalism, and making good work tend to bring just as many good opportunities. And somewhat more importantly, a reputation as someone people enjoy with: both clients AND crew. Relationships, both personal and professional, are invaluable, and I’ve found it rare that luck and relationships don’t go hand-in-hand… so foster those relationships with people you admire and enjoy working with and for!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://allisonmajors.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonmajors
Image Credits
Jody Danneman, Nicole Moran, Michael Chase, Douglas Snowden, Robert Stivers, Jordana Dale, Delta Air Lines, Atlanta ImageArts
