Hugh Durnford-Dionne

While developing your portfolio, don't make work that you think prospective clients want to see – make the stuff that you like. 

Career questions with Hugh

What do you love most about your work, and what inspired you to pursue this career in the first place? 

As a freelance videographer I enjoy how eclectic my work is, at any given moment I'm working on a wide variety of projects.

I first got involved with videography in high school, by making music videos for my classmates, and was encouraged to learn After Effects to add an extra dimension to them. That software is now my primary and preferred tool. I love how being supple and learning new skills is such an integral part of this line of work.

Looking back, what skills have been the biggest gamechangers in your career? 

Being good at what you do is obviously very important but being reliable might be even more so.

How did Concordia prepare you for your career? 

I noticed early on into my undergrad that what I got out of the degree was entirely based on how much of myself I put into it. I went on exchange in France, did an internship at an editing house that I greatly admire (Post-Moderne), and received invaluable mentorship from my professors.

None of those opportunities were guaranteed, but being a Concordia student was crucial for their unfolding. Similar to how a journalist might show their newspapers credentials to get unique access to a subject, with Concordia's institutional support I had all the necessary resources available to me.

What is a standout memory from your time at Concordia? 

My best memories of Concordia are the Theology and Philosophy electives I took. The Intermedia program offers students a lot of free classes outside of the program and taking these sorts of Humanities courses had a huge impact on my art and made me a more well-rounded and curious person.

If you could give your younger self one powerful piece of advice, what would it be? 

While developing your portfolio, don't make work that you think prospective clients want to see – make the stuff that you like. Most of the clients I currently work with were initially drawn to me not necessarily by the commercial stuff I was involved with but rather by the personal projects I made for my own enjoyment.

What’s the most exciting shift happening in your industry right now? 

In the face of the ‘dead internet theory’ being materialized, I’ve noticed a newfound enthusiasm for making art whose aspired audience is wholly local. I see filmmakers like Jean-François Lesage (Montreal) or musical groups like Stardog (Toronto) who prioritize elucidating where their cities and scenes are instead of trying to distill the experience of every internet-goer.

Feeling inspired?

• Enrich your global perspective by studying abroad for an academic term.   
• Consider customizing your degree with a minor or an elective group.
• Access video production facilities, training and equipment through CUTV, Concordia's student-owned TV facility.
• Connect with Career Counselling & Education Transitions to plan your career path.