Video Production, a New Tool for Digital PR

Working in a small public relations agency, I fully expected that I would be asked to wear many hats - help out where I’m needed, even if the task doesn’t exactly fall within my job description of Public Relations Strategist. This often involves stepping a little bit outside one’s comfort zone in the name of pitching in and being a team player.

While the thought of being asked to do an unfamiliar task is a little daunting, this is an aspect I have always enjoyed about working in a small agency environment; the chance to see how the office operates at all levels, in all departments while also having the opportunity to push myself and learn new things.

These last few weeks have been especially challenging, in a good way, as I’ve gotten to wear the hat of “video producer.” Now when I say “video producer” I am by no means referring to the fantastic gala and company videos that our video production team is capable of, I simply mean I’m the person behind the camera.

I’ve taken the FlipCam out now on a few occasions to get some footage for short YouTube clips and video blogs for our clients and have found the task to be more challenging than I initially thought. I learned that, like any PR initiative, you need to go into a video shoot with a clear plan and strategy in mind, even if it’s just for a simple YouTube clip.

You have to think through the number of shots you need – tight shots, wide shots, B-roll shots – and then you need to give clear direction to the person in the video. Without a clear plan in mind, directing becomes a whole lot more difficult!

And as the story normally goes, although I have found shooting videos to be challenging, I have also found it to be extremely rewarding. I have also gained a HUGE amount of respect for our video production team - They produce amazing videos, and frankly, they look better in the “video producer” hat than I ever will.

So I encourage you, whether you work for a large corporation or a small agency, to get to know as many departments within your organization as possible. Chances are you’ll learn something new and find a new level of respect for your coworkers!

Tags: comfort zone, Flip camera, fundraising videos, PR agency, strategist, YouTube

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