Film and video are here to stay. Accessibility into the fields has increase exponentially in the last couple decades due to access to technology. For business, it turns out that high quality isn’t even necessary to make video drive results. This means that it doesn’t take nearly as much as it used to leverage the power of video, but make sure you learn some basics so you don’t look like a complete amateur.
I’ve had some film and video production experience as the following:
- Producing Content for YouTube Channels
- Film and Video Production Student
- Stagehand
- Videographer Sole-Proprietorship
As a kid, I wanted to create movies when I grew up. One day, I’ll dig through old cassette tapes and upload my first short film, “Lady Woman Knife,” completely edited in camera! I’ve tinkered around with video almost my entire life, even trying to do it full time with my own business.
As someone who has suppressed his creativity because I mistakenly have focused too much on other things, I regret not chasing this field more. Now that I’m later in life, I can see it as a way to reach my longer-term goals, but this field changes fast like any other technological-based field! But isn’t that really an excuse?
Producing Content for YouTube Channels
Everyone knows what YouTube is. In June of 2022, Statista shows that 500 hours of content flooded YouTube every minute with other reports showing even more shocking facts. YouTube also boasts the title of 2nd most used search engine, right behind Daddy Google.
It seems the most successful YouTuber channels have been consistent and evolved when they needed. I haven’t ever called myself a YouTuber because I just never really stuck with it. It’s a whole lot of work with almost no pay off, but I didn’t go the controversial route! My most successful channel was The Raw Loaf, a pro wrestling centric channel where I excitedly talked about pro wrestling every week. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize my persona on there brought in younger viewers until long after I had quit the channel. If I had made that realization early on, I probably would be in a vastly different place right now. Know your audience!
Positive Takeaways
- You can start producing your own videos with probably what you already have. YouTube and many other video sharing sites are a simple to use platforms that allows you to broadcast your work.
- Unseen opportunities may appear out of nowhere. My pro wrestling commentaries garnered the attention of a local pro wrestler. He contacted me about running a similar show for the wrestling company he worked for.
- You can meet and work with a lot of like-minded people. If you network correctly and collaborate effectively, you’ll make your life a bit easier.
Negative Takeaways
- If you want to be a “YouTuber”, it’s going to take a lot of work or a lot of risk. I’ve seen many YouTubers out there with “Buy my course and I’ll teach you everything you need to be successful” courses, but I’m sure you can learn most of it for free. That’s not to take away from anyone’s experience; just be aware it’s going to take work.
- It can be draining. Putting 20 hours into a video, only for it to pull in 50 views can be very demotivating.
- Trolls. Just keep in mind that probably the vast majority of trolls wouldn’t say the same things to you to your face. As Dave Chappelle once stated, “Twitter is not a real place.” I say that goes for the whole internet.
Final Words on Creating YouTube Content
Remember the content you create requires your time, effort, equipment, and experience. My entire time working with video and film has had people wanting me to work for free, some of which I did…but how long can one live off of free?
Keep in mind that YouTube has the extreme preponderance of being a long-haul gig, so if you want to create a channel, do so with that in mind. There is so much advice out there about being a successful with the platform, but from what I can tell, being consistent, interactive, passionate, and finding a niche will help you out the most!
Film and Video Production Student
I normally don’t name places I’ve done business with, but since the whole network of schools closed in 2023, I don’t have any reason to be silent! I moved to Las Vegas in 2012 to attend The Art Institute of Las Vegas. This was a terrible decision, and looking back, I wish I would have done almost anything else to further my education and experience with film and video production.
Although I don’t view college as a necessity, it may be the route some people have to go to get what they want. You can read about my experiences at The Art Institute of Las Vegas here. Hopefully, if you browse that list, you can be more aware of what to look for during your college experience.
Positive Takeaways
- I met some good friends and had fun working with them.
- I learned the audio is pretty much more important the video.
- Some of the instructors were knowledgeable.
Negative Takeaways
- Each class was four hours long and cost over $1,400. There weren’t a lot of students who cared deeply about their education. This lead to a ton of boring, low quality presentations that ultimately were a giant waste of time.
- The instructors had to call students and find out why they didn’t show up to class.
- Most of what we were actually taught could have been learned on YouTube/Internet for free.
- Again, I suggest seeing my full experience and thoughts on my AILV blog posts.
- I’m not sure if everyone who was close to graduating could just get stagehand work automatically, but the school was known for misleading job placement. The vast majority of work I did as a stagehand wasn’t what I learned in school. The grapevine stated they were counting a coffee shop barista a job placement for graphic design because the barista would be doing the advertising chalk boards. If you do go to a school, do your research!
Final Words on Being a Digital Filmmaking and Video Production Student
I wouldn’t suggest pulling out large amounts of loans to cover the cost of school. For example, The Art Institute of Las Vegas’s tuition for most bachelor degrees were about $90,000. Federal student loans, which have a lower, fixed interest rate will only cover so much. Private student loans will cover basically whatever you want, but the interest may fluctuate. I know someone who has been paying on private student loans for almost 9 years and still will be paying for 5 more. Early on, payments were over $900/month for years!
Networking and creating are probably the best things you can do if you want to get into film or video. You don’t need college for either of those.
Don’t let lack of equipment hold you back. Learn how to tell a story and the basics of film and start creating. Find which part or parts of the process you love and pursue that. Whether it’s writing, producing, visual effects, acting, lighting, capturing audio, costuming, directing, editing, or one of the hundreds of jobs that can contribute to film or television, there is room for just about anyone.
Finally, during my internship, the boss of the company I was at flat out told me “I don’t care if you have a degree. All I need is someone who will show up on time and is willing to learn.”
Stagehand
After nearly 3 years in film school, I went to career services looking for work. Without a thought, the advisor immediately suggested stagehand work. I contacted the referred company and was immediately hired.
I didn’t do a ton of work here. This was an on call position and I was working as a Bellman at the same time. I made more money as a Bellman. My schedule was further out there, so I had to try to work my stagehand work around my Bellman work. I eventually dropped my stagehand job because I was turning down so much work.
Positive Takeaways
- This was a great place to learn a lot about anything related to live events. Although I was signed on as a standard stagehand, I could go to any supervisor and let them know I wanted to cross-train in their area (carpentry, video, audio, etc.). They were really good at once you finished your work or if they just didn’t need you, they would let you go learn/work with another department.
- Some of the clients I helped:
– Justin Timberlake
– Madonna
– UFC
– Numerous Hotels around the Las Vegas Strip
Negative Takeaways
- Again, scheduling was kind of a nightmare. Those who could actually make that job work were calling the company almost daily to see what events they could work.
- You could get estimates on how long each call (event) would take, but they weren’t always accurate.
- On call jobs don’t pay enough!
- Personally, I’ve never worn a comfortable pair of steel toed boots.
Videographer Sole-Proprietorship
Running your own business is tough, but I feel it is something everyone should at least pretend to do once. Perhaps it could be a class in high school, or maybe students could shadow managers as a requirement (maybe, lots of worries and legalities there).
Most of the video work I got after moving to Las Vegas was through knowing people, so marketing and networking are crucial.
The biggest mistake was going down this path when I felt there was nothing else I could do. I had done a few jobs and school and they didn’t feel like they were going anywhere. I got tired of making the same or less money than my coworkers who were doing bad work. There were a couple clients that had some video work they wanted done, so I was hoping that would springboard into more work.
Positive Takeaways
- Earned a lot more respect for businesses and the stresses they have to go through.
- I actually looked forward to doing the video production side of the work.
- Eventually, I learned to detach myself from the work – keep personal feelings and business separate.
Negative Takeaways
- I didn’t seek investors or have enough money to fully do what I needed to do.
- Accrued a bit of debt that took a while to pay back.
- I didn’t have the mindset of a manager or business owner. Not looking at growth was a big fault.
- Once you start getting paid by companies to produce for them, you are more inclined to do as they ask. One of my favorite things about making video is the creativity involved, but if the client doesn’t like something you did, you have to change it – even if you can’t convince them it’s objectively wrong.
Final Thoughts on Video and Film Production
The two things I can’t stress enough are work rate and networking. If you can land a secure job as a company’s in-house video production member, fantastic!
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