Video producer

Video producers make videos for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes. Professional quality videos are used in areas such as training, education, public relations, marketing and weddings. Video bloggers (Vloggers) also make videos and publish them online on sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram and TikTok.

Also known as:

Film/Video Maker
Vlogger

Work activities

Video producers make videos for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes. Many video-making companies are small, producing relatively low-cost professional productions. Videos can cover a range of areas, such as education, advertising, music promos and events such as weddings. Some independent video producers also make videos of broadcast standard for television companies.

Technical aspects of the work include operating cameras, sound recording equipment and lighting. Video producers also use technical equipment to edit their footage into a final version. Editing software is used to mix, cut and arrange shots, and to improve the quality of pictures and sound. Video producers look at customers’ requirements before planning and preparing for recording. Preparation can involve finding and arranging locations and writing scripts/storyboards. During filming, the video producer organises those taking part. They decide exactly where filming will take place, how different shots are to be set up and how many takes are needed to get the footage they need.

Financial control is important, as the business must be commercially viable and videos must be produced at a competitive price. Other aspects of the work can include sales, marketing and making presentations to clients. Local, national and international travel may be required, with overnight and longer stays away from home. Video producers usually work long and irregular hours, which can include early starts, late finishes, and work at weekends and public holidays.

Personal qualities and skills

As a video producer, you need:

Time management and organisational skills.
Good communication and people skills.
Creativity – for developing ideas and problem solving.
Practical skills to use a range of technical equipment.
Good hand-eye co-ordination.
To be able to work carefully and patiently to produce a professionally finished product.
The ability to work well under pressure.
Marketing, presentational and book-keeping skills are an advantage, particularly if you are setting up your own business.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for video producers vary widely depending on the type of production they are engaged in. Successful self-employed vloggers may earn considerably sums by endorsing commercial products, either in partnership or by receiving a fee every time a viewer clicks onto the website of the product producer. Video producers employed by companies may earn a comparable salary to other digital creatives – starting at around £18,000.

Self-employed video producers decide their own hours of work, which may be long and irregular depending on the project.

Opportunities for video producers occur in towns and cities throughout the UK. Vloggers can work anywhere in the world.

Employers are industrial and commercial video companies. Most of these are small operations, set up and run by one or two people. Companies producing videos for broadcasting are fewer. There may be opportunities with these companies, if you have experience and training. There may be opportunities to work on location in other countries.

Apprenticeship programmes that may provide relevant skills include:

Camera prep technician (level 3/advanced)
Content creator (level 3/advanced)
Broadcast and media systems technician (level 5/higher)

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised:

On job boards
On employers’ websites
On the government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

There are no set entry routes for this type of work. It is possible for talented amateurs to move into professional video making. Video producers will often start out working for someone else, while gaining experience.

A number of private training organisations provide short courses to feepaying students. On average, these can last from one to five days. Courses are available in:

General commercial/industrial video production
Wedding video production
Music video production.

Courses are also available on particular aspects of video making, such as editing, camera operation, etc. You could consider a longer, more in-depth course, particularly if you want to work in broadcast standard video production. Various qualifications at all levels, such as national certificates and diplomas, degrees and foundation degrees are available. Course titles vary; examples are:

Film, TV and video studies
Factual TV and video production
Video production

Those who have been employed could, with experience, set up their own business. Some progress to broadcast television and film work.

Qualifications

Candidates who want to enter a course covering video production are expected to demonstrate creativity and good communication and technical skills. Although formal qualifications are not always required, for some courses GCSEs (grades 9-4), including English and maths, are useful. Many entrants to this work have a higher qualification, such as an HND or degree.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills and abilities gained with a video production company are valuable. Having a good portfolio of photographic work, and a showreel of your own creative work, is often essential.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (e.g., Access to Media) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

Related careers

Animator
Audio engineer
Camera operator
Theatre lighting technician
Theatre sound technician