What if you could produce more live videos without incurring the expense and hassle associated with sending entire production crews and trucks to every venue? And what if you could do that without sacrificing video quality or reliability? The wireless at-home production model allows you to do just that. At-home production is changing the way you can execute live events. Here’s how:

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are taking over the skies. They’re being used for everything from “reality capture” (as detailed for businesses to sheer enjoyment by hobbyists. As regulations become clearer and equipment grows increasingly affordable and user-friendly, the production industry is taking up its fair share of the sky, too. More video crews than ever are certified to fly small UAVs for commercial purposes. For more on what this means for both production crews and clients looking to hire drone services, we talked to Ryan Goble, Senior DP and FAA-certified drone pilot at Running Pony. 

Producer Singer-Songwriter Bruno Mars is on a massive “24K Magic World Tour“ cross-continent tour which started in the Europe and is now entering North America. Dates for South America and Australia were just added with additional dates expected into late 2018. Bruno Mars new tour reflects the funk & soul of the ’70s, and the 24 Magic World Tour stage design is no different. Using a record setting 795 Robe Spikies, rigged on 20 moving over-stage pods, the design is a compliment of mashed together lighting rigs reflecting times from the past, while bringing a modern feel using motion-rigging pieces.

As we start winding towards the dog days of summer, I was recently given the opportunity to get in front of the URSA Mini Pro 4.6K and the DaVinci Resolve Control Panel. This was a new and different approach to looking at products that come through the doors at ProductionHUB. Normally we might get a camera or lighting kit but to get two production/post production related products together was cool. As a production professional (like many of you) I am always looking at the budget and ways to control costs. So the idea of being able to upgrade in the field and enhance the post-production suite without crushing the budget was enticing to say the least. But before I get there, lets take a look at where production always has to start. It starts with the camera of course.

Video editor, audio director, animator, DVD writer, camera operator… the list of jobs in video production is huge. All these professions have something in common: creativity. The job hunting process is similar, and the hiring decisions are usually based on the applicant’s level of creativity, professionalism, and commitment. Those are the things you need to show and prove throughout the application process.

My husband/partner and I have operated our San Diego video production company together since 1982. So after hundreds of video shoots throughout three-plus decades, we have learned what to look for when we need to hire an extra hand or two. But for those of you who are maybe looking to hire a freelancer for the first time, and you want to hire the best, here are five tips to keep in mind as you search.

Have you ever had to suffer through a dry, stale educational video that bored you to tears or made you want to pull out your hair? Such videos are common elements of many corporations’ onboarding and regulatory compliance programs, so they’re not going away anytime soon. For video content producers, there’s a real opportunity to transform such pieces—to generate enthusiasm instead of eye rolls at the mention of the term “online training courses.” The real challenge is producing something that doesn’t just convey the information, but also keeps viewers genuinely engaged, smiling, and clicking for more. It takes a special knack. For more on this special touch, we interviewed A. Troy Thomas, President and Owner of Inertia Films.        

When applying for a job, people often say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Well, we call BS on that.

In our industry, talent and creativity are obviously paramount. But that’s a little vague, isn’t it? What are employers in the VFX business really looking for? Production studio Saddington Baynes give us the breakdown on just what it takes to make it in CG – from preferred career paths, to building a standout portfolio, and fit with office culture.

Getting your foot in the door and into a production company can be frustrating when you’re just starting out in your career. Even if you’ve got a tremendous amount of talent, many production companies have their pick of experienced candidates, and often won’t consider what you have to offer. Don’t give up though—many producers start out as freelancers, taking on one-off projects until they have the experience to join an established company or create their own business. The “gig economy” is booming, and it’s easier than ever to start a freelancing career. In fact, 35% of the American workforce was made up of freelancers in October of 2016—numbers that are only continuing to grow. Freelancing can help you gain experience, build a reputation, and bring in some cash. Who knows, you may like the experience so much that you decide to work for yourself forever! With that said, starting a successful freelancing career doesn’t mean you put up a website and wait for clients to come to you. It takes hard work and consistency to make it work. Here are 5 tips for getting started and becoming a great freelance producer, photographer, or other production professional!

I can not tell you how many times I’m asked that question either casually with friends or more often from prospective clients and my answer is usually a very tongue and check, “Well, you can probably find somebody on Craig’s List for about $300 or you can go to an ad agency, staff A-List talent and make a Super Bowl Ad for $20,000,000. Right now you are coming in somewhere in that range.” I'm seeing clients demands for video increasing but they don't always understand what they are purchasing as a creative buyer.