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10 Things Every New Video Producer Needs to Know About the Industry
By Patty Mooney, Co-Owner, Crystal Pyramid Productions
So you want to be a video producer? Welcome to the circus. It’s dazzling, demanding, and often downright exhilarating. Whether you’re planning to shoot special events, documentaries, brand content, or creative shorts, the learning curve can feel steep, but don’t worry.
Here are ten foundational truths every new video producer needs to know to survive and thrive in today’s ever-evolving video landscape.
But first, you might be asking:
Why Are You Doing This? What’s the Point?
Producing video isn’t just about wielding a camera. It’s about shaping perception, educating audiences, telling stories that move hearts or open wallets. The point of video production is to make people feel something, think something, or do something. Whether you’re documenting reality or fabricating fiction, you’re creating meaning in motion. That’s powerful, and it comes with responsibility. I write this to help new producers avoid common pitfalls and elevate the quality and purpose of their work.
Who’s the Audience and What Happens After?
This article is for emerging producers stepping into an industry that demands both creative instinct and strategic execution. Maybe you’re a freelancer just scoring your first corporate gig. Or you’re fresh out of film school with a reel and a dream. Either way, once your project wraps, the real question is: now what? Every producer must think beyond the final cut. How will your work be seen? Is it heading to social media, streaming platforms, broadcast TV, internal corporate use, or film festivals? Always define your distribution strategy early. It shapes everything, from your production value to your aspect ratio.
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1. The Gear Doesn’t Make the Guru, But It Does Matter Eventually
Early on, focus on mastering the basics: composition, lighting, audio, and storytelling. You can shoot a compelling piece with a smartphone if you understand visual language. But when you graduate to producing corporate or broadcast segments, clients expect broadcast-quality deliverables. That means 4K-capable cameras, professional lenses, timecode sync, and crisp audio through quality lav and boom mics. Your gear becomes a statement about your reliability. At that level, you’re not just telling stories, you’re protecting reputations.
2. Story Is Everything
No matter how slick the visuals or how clever the edit, if the story falls flat, so does your video. Structure matters. What’s the hook? Who’s the hero? What’s the transformation? From 15-second TikToks to long-form documentaries, good storytelling is what keeps audiences engaged. Build a clear narrative arc, develop emotional beats, and leave them with something to remember.
3. Audio Quality Matters More Than You Think
Bad sound is unforgivable. People will tolerate less-than-perfect visuals, but garbled, echoey, or peaking audio will send them scrambling for the exit. Invest in decent microphones. Record room tone. Monitor levels with headphones. Clean audio is non-negotiable. It’s the invisible glue that holds your entire piece together.
4. Know Your Rights (and Respect Others’)
Music, fonts, b-roll, faces in the background—everything in your frame can be subject to copyright or legal clearance. Use licensed music. Get release forms signed. Understand fair use, but don’t rely on it casually. The bigger your project’s reach, the bigger the potential legal backlash if you cut corners.
5. Pre-Production Is Where the Magic Happens
Think of pre-production as architecture. You wouldn’t build a house without blueprints, so don’t roll camera without a plan. Scout locations. Break down your script. Create a shooting schedule. Cast thoughtfully. Organize call sheets. Confirm permits. Every minute you invest before the shoot saves you five on the day and ten in post.
6. Post-Production Takes Longer Than You Think
Editing is where the story comes to life and where schedules go to die. Clients change their minds. Files get corrupted. Graphics need tweaking. Always overestimate your post timeline. Learn to color grade. Understand audio mixing. Keep your assets organized. And yes, export in every format the client might possibly ask for, before they even ask.
7. Set Etiquette Matters
Even if your “set” is a parking lot with two people and a GoPro, conduct yourself professionally. Don’t interrupt takes. Respect the DP’s frame. Be courteous to talent and crew. A producer sets the tone. If you’re calm, prepared, and kind, the entire production runs smoother.
8. The Industry Is a Relationship Business
It’s not just what you know, it’s who trusts you. Producers who keep their promises get rehired. Crew who feel respected will go the extra mile. Clients who feel heard become repeat clients. Network with kindness, show up early, pay people fairly, and write thank-you emails. It all matters.
9. Stay Current or Get Left Behind
Video tech moves fast. Frame rates, codecs, AI tools, new editing platforms—there’s always something changing. But you don’t have to know everything. Just stay curious. Take online workshops, attend conferences, and follow reputable creators and tech blogs. Your future self will thank you.
10. Expect Things to Go Wrong, Then Plan for That
Here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned in over four decades: things will go wrong. A key interviewee flakes. A storm floods your location. A drive fails. So you build in buffers. You have extra batteries, backup gear, Plan B scripts, and contingency budgets. Always assume at least one thing will fall apart, and have a plan to handle it with grace. Backup Plan A, Backup Plan B, and yes, even Backup Plan C. That’s not paranoia, it’s professionalism. And it’s the measure of a good producer.
Final Thoughts
Video production is not for the faint of heart. It’s where art meets logistics, and creativity marries constraint. But for those willing to do the prep, pivot on the fly, and polish their work until it gleams, the rewards are many. You’ll travel, collaborate, invent, meet fascinating people and occasionally, capture magic.
Just remember: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being prepared.
Patty Mooney is a pioneering video producer based in San Diego. With over four decades in the industry, she co-owns Crystal Pyramid Productions and New & Unique Videos with her partner Mark Schulze. Together, they’ve produced award-winning documentaries, travel films, and extreme sports videos now streaming worldwide.
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