What 8 Years of Video Production Work Taught Me

Editor’s note: This personal reflection was first published in April 2014, looking back on the author’s first eight years in video production. The wording has been edited for clarity and outdated technology and market claims have been revised; the original perspective is retained.

When I first wrote this, I had been working in video production for almost eight years. Starting as a helper in Shanghai, I knew very little about the industry beyond a few familiar names. Working alongside experienced crew members gave me a much better education than trying to look as though I already knew everything.

These are the video production lessons that stayed with me. They are less about owning a particular camera and more about how to work with people when time is short and the details matter.

Pay attention to the small details

At the beginning, it is easy to concentrate on the exciting part of a shoot and overlook the checks around it. A missing cable, an unchecked battery or a misunderstood call time can affect everyone else. After making mistakes, I learned to check the simple things early and ask when something was unclear.

Preparation does not remove every surprise. It gives you more attention to spend on the surprise when it arrives.

Listen before trying to lead

Clear communication includes listening patiently. Let a client or colleague finish explaining the problem before offering an answer. Ask a useful follow-up question, then repeat the important details so everyone knows what has been agreed.

On set, trying to look cool is less helpful than making the next step clear. The crew needs to know what is happening, who is responsible and when the decision is needed.

Treat competitors as colleagues

There is no need to turn competition into a personal argument. Production companies and freelancers often meet again on another job, sometimes on the same side of the call sheet. Respect the work, agree responsibilities and deal with people fairly.

A professional relationship can outlast the project that introduced you. Protecting it is usually more useful than winning a small argument.

Understand what the client actually needs

A request is easier to solve when you understand the purpose behind it. Before replying with a price or a quick refusal, ask what the client is trying to achieve and which parts are essential. Then explain the practical choices, including the effect on time, budget and the finished film.

Being helpful does not mean agreeing to everything. It means giving a clear answer and a workable next step, with changes confirmed before the crew commits to them.

Keep learning

Cameras, editing tools and delivery methods change. Learn enough to understand what a new tool does, test it and decide whether it helps the work. There is no need to make every project a technology demonstration.

The prediction in the original article about the arrival of 4G belongs to its 2014 context. The useful lesson is broader: keep learning as production and distribution methods develop, while giving the story, sound and preparation the same attention.

Respect everyone’s contribution

A newcomer deserves a clear explanation, and an experienced colleague deserves the same courtesy. A task that looks small can still hold up the next department. Arrive on time, finish what you have agreed to do and tell someone early if a problem will affect their work.

The size of a budget does not change the need to be reliable. A short interview still matters to the person commissioning it.

Look after yourself and the crew

Long days are easier to get through when breaks, meals and travel are planned properly. Do not treat exhaustion as proof that the production is going well. Speak up when the schedule or working conditions need attention, and give others room to do the same.

Sharing a meal with colleagues can also be a good reminder that there are people behind the job titles.

Be honest about your role

Know what you are responsible for and where you need help. Pretending to have every answer makes a difficult situation harder. A calm question and an honest explanation usually make life easier for the client and the crew.

Different jobs, the same fundamentals

Commercials, corporate films, short films, property videos and event coverage have different briefs and working rhythms. The original article’s broad market rankings and blanket judgements about low-cost work were not a useful way to assess a production. Judge the actual scope, crew, preparation and deliverables instead.

Looking back, the most useful habits are still straightforward: listen carefully, respect people’s time, check the details and keep learning. They make it easier to do good work together.

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