By Bianca Mendez
As digital readership continues to grow, magazines and websites are looking into producing videos to shell out their fun, creative ideas. And for anyone who finds sitting in front of the computer to be dull, working in video may be the right job for you. After all, you get a chance to get out of the office, interact with people, and show off your creativity. Interested? Here’s what you need to know about this booming career path.
It Gives You a Chance to Experiment with Content
A day in the life of a video producer is far from ordinary says Lauren Lumsden, video programming director at Cosmopolitan.com, whose job tasks range from hiding Bella Thorne in the offices to filming the brand’s popular “Clueless Guys” series. Readers are heavily engaged in video, so it’s a great opportunity to play around with different content ideas to see what they’re interested in. “Digital video allows you to take risks, try out new formats, and see what resonates with your audience,” says Annie Carroll, executive video producer for Meredith Corporation. Take a look for yourself: Check out tons of videos online from some of your favorite brands as well as your social media networks to see what your friends are sharing and what’s out there in the digital video space.
You Need to Think on Your Feet
With video, something is bound to go wrong, no matter how much you plan ahead, says Carroll. “Microphones can break, you’ll have to deal with a shadow that won’t go away no matter how many times you move a light, or you don’t have enough room to get the shot you want,” adds Lumsden. That’s when your job gets interesting. Since no one can predict technology’s fate, the best thing you can do is learn from the experience. “You may forget batteries on a shoot, but chances are you won’t forget them after that!” says Carroll.
You’ll Start off as a Production Assistant
A production assistant is basically the entry-level equivalent to an editorial assistant. While some tasks are not so glamorous, like lugging around the video equipment and driving vans, Lumsden says that if you’re a great shooter and editor, you can work your way up the ranks pretty quickly. The trick is to learn as much as you can both in and out of the office. “Start filming and editing, even if it’s just using your phone as a device,” says Lisa Rechsteiner, executive video producer at Glamour. “Watch YouTube tutorials to learn how to do cool camera tricks or editing techniques,” suggests Carroll. “The more you do, the more you will learn and grow. Work hard. Work really hard. And never give up.”
Intrigued? Here’s How to Get Started:
Like most digital jobs, the best way to get your foot in the door is to intern. But, if you already have an entry-level or even a mid-level job, you can search for opportunities in your own office. Lumsden got her first gig while at Daily Candy after hearing a rumor about the company’s video initiative. “After a lot of on-the-job learning, I realized I really loved everything involved with production–from the technical aspects to interacting with people in the field–and it became my full-time job.”
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