Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a video producer? Did you dream about putting together films of your own when you were a kid? Film production is arguably one of the most attractive career prospects out there for creative types. And indeed, this most glamorous of professions does have a lot of exciting aspects to it. Being a producer also requires a lot of very careful and detailed work, though, and it’s something that shouldn’t be entered into lightly if you really want to make a career out of it.
This doesn’t mean that you should abandon your dreams. It just means that there are a lot of complexities to the profession, and it is not for the faint of heart as work can be long, tiring, and stressful. Creating YouTube videos in your spare time is a different story, although it too requires similar components to be successful. Let’s take a closer look at what it takes to become a producer and what the job itself entails.
What is a video producer?
As the name suggests, a video producer is someone who is responsible for the production process of making videos: deciding what will go into them, how they will be edited, and what the final products will look like. Producers are also involved in budgeting and distribution. It can be a very rewarding career, but also a demanding one. You should only think about getting involved if you are highly motivated and feel that you were made for the job.
Producers work on all kinds of videos, from commercials to music videos to full-length films, and other assorted types of videography. Whether it be YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or top-end production companies that you’re working for, most production processes involve similar elements so it is worthwhile to familiarize yourself with them.
How to get started
Video producing doesn’t necessarily require any particular academic credentials. The requirements have more to do with attitude, creativity and drive than anything else. Production requires teamwork, so the ability to work closely with others is essential.
Another important quality is composure. Video production can be a very fast-paced, hectic process, and the ability to stay calm under pressure and help keep the team together is imperative.
Because formal education isn’t required, the best way to get started in video production is to shadow others. Learning on the job is a good way to experience the ins and outs of the profession first-hand and really get a feel for what it is like to go through the whole process.
Taking on a trainee role will teach you both technical skills, as well as many of the finer points of the profession. You will get the opportunity to see how members of a production team interact with one another, how they manage deadlines, and many of the other intricacies necessary to put videos together.
What are the technical requirements of making videos?
While there are many tools that are required to create high-quality videos, you should first start with the essentials. You’ll want to first of all be sure that you have really professional lighting when you film. Consciously or not, people notice the difference in overall appearance between professional and amateur productions. When you look for a video light, be sure that it has at least a 2500 lumen capacity. Less powerful ones won’t give your videos that really sharp look that viewers will expect from you.
The overall appearance of your studio is similarly important. Be sure that you choose a professional-looking backdrop and don’t create an overly-cluttered looking appearance. Whether you are involved in junior-level videography or are a seasoned cinematographer, you want your videos to be as professional looking as possible.
You’ll also want to be sure that the format is correct and sufficiently applicable across platforms. You should look for a video converter that will help you put your videos in the correct format. MFX is a widely-used format by video professionals, and you can use an MFX file converter to switch your material to MFX.
What do you want to accomplish?
If you’re thinking of going into the video making business, you probably started with some kind of particular inspiration. Do you want to become a big shot filmmaker? Do you have the kind of quirky humor that it takes to make great commercials? Do you envision working in digital marketing? Perhaps you just want to make short videos for a particular interest group. Regardless of your goal, think about it carefully and write down your ideas.
Whether it be short videos or long ones, local or international, one of the keys to success is getting in touch with what really inspires you to pursue this kind of work. The right employers will value your commitment to your own vision and want to use it for the benefit of their creations.
Creating your first videos
In making any type of video, you’ll want to go about the process logically and keep track of the steps you take. Write out your vision before you get started.
You should keep in mind what the perspective of your likely audience will be. Even if your video will be interesting to you, are you sure it will speak to your audience? Do some research on your target demographic and assess what types of videos they tend to watch.
If you’re planning on making a series of videos, you should consider making a brand package. This will include intros, outros, graphics, and other transitional elements. It would be worth your while to study what these brand packages generally include so that you can utilize all the necessary elements.
If you are looking for particular kinds of clips to incorporate into your videos, you can look for royalty free video sites that will allow you to use clips without the risk of copyright infringement. Also, you don’t want to forget the right kind of video codecs. Because high-quality videos tend to take up a great deal of space, you’ll need a way to compact them down to a manageable size. Codecs can do this for you.
Once you’ve completed your early video drafts, run them by people to get their feedback. We are often entrenched enough in our own work that we neglect to see it objectively.
Your work will grow with time
As with any craft, your production capacity will grow and mature with repeated effort. Whether you are on your own or part of a major production staff, you’ll be able to see increased refinement in your videos as you look back on them.
Just keep in mind that this is all part of the natural growth cycle, and even early efforts can offer lessons for the future. With continuous output you should grow into a sophisticated, highly skilled producer.
