How I Got Proficient: My First Video Production Job

My first real video job was with a company that made promo videos for colleges. I was basically doing everything: filming interviews, directing the subjects, editing the videos, and even handling motion graphics. It was a lot to take on, but I learned a ton really fast.

The best part was the travel. I got to see a lot of the country: New York, Washington State, Montana, New Mexico, Milwaukee, and a bunch of other places. It was cool getting to visit so many campuses, but the days were long, the timelines were tight, and there wasn’t much downtime.

That job is what really locked in my technical skills. Before that, I knew how cameras worked, but I had to stop and think through every setting. After doing it constantly for a year, it became second nature. If I needed to adjust exposure without changing depth of field, I’d just do it. That kind of repetition burns it into your brain. I also got a lot more comfortable directing people and running shoots on my own. By the end, though, I was burned out. The videos started to feel repetitive. I was basically making the same thing over and over with different people. And like a lot of startup-type companies, they were demanding, underpaying, and not exactly great at showing appreciation. I knew it was time to move on.

Still, I’m really glad I had that job. If you’re trying to get into commercial video work or freelance, a gig like that can be a solid first step. It’s not easy, but it forces you to figure things out fast and get comfortable under pressure. That year gave me the foundation I needed to level up.