5 Lessons I’ve Learned (Sometimes The Hard Way) as a Creative Producer
11/11/2024
Don't settle for just being a "producer"—immerse yourself in the craft early in your career. Grab a camera and experiment with lighting. Explore editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. Write and direct a music video for a band you love. Cut together a heartfelt montage for a parent's 60th birthday or a friend's wedding. The more you explore and wear different production hats, the sharper your instincts and skills will become—making you stronger and more versatile in your day job.
Incredible, high-value content can be created with minimal resources. Fancy cameras and expensive gear are great, but without strong storytelling, a solid script, and real value, they’re just costly distractions. If Oscar-winning director Sean Baker can craft an award-winning film using only iPhones, there’s no reason brands can’t produce compelling content on a tight budget.
Always hire more PA’s than you think you need. Production assistants are one of the most affordable line items in your budget and they can be enormously helpful on and off set. And, by utilizing more PA’s for your projects, you offer more young producers the opportunity to learn. A true win-win.
Get everything in writing. Sometimes a phone call is the best way to ease concerns, smooth out miscommunications, or negotiate terms, but then immediately summarize your call in an email.
Seek out directors and DPs you genuinely connect with—those who share your working style and creative mindset. Great collaborators attract more great people, and before long, you'll have a trusted crew and a project that runs smoothly, with clear communication, positivity, and productivity.
