Here's how you can excel as a adaptable video production manager.

Learn codec compressions and all format options. Prepare to solve compatibility issues quick. Familiarize yourself with cables and management including adaptors. Things go wrong and you need to understand where in the chain the problem is. It’s not just the creation it’s the machine you sit behind. Keep your cool when something goes wrong. You need to maintain Client confidence.

get to grips with all deliverables and count backwards from the wrap party!! Create a realistic schedule within your budget. Get to know your crew and communicate with them well.

We are in the business of new media. Sure you might be proficient in what you learned on but many people know multiple platforms do when a client often shows up with their laptop it good to dip in to the perspective of expect the unexpected and know a fundamental overview of the top popular systems. They are pretty similar except a couple.

keep asking questions to understand what will impact and support your budget. familiarise yourself with new apps to support efficiency for production.

don't hide in the production office. get out on set and talk with the crew and what they need. be approachable! make sure the production office know their roles and systems they're working with. make sure they're communicating well with each other.

It’s a team effort. Even if you believe your vision is the best you must be open to listen. Sometimes we are all to close to the trees to see the forest. People have great ideas or ( hopefully) they wouldn’t be in your sphere. It’s a lonely enough job at the best of times so make collaboration count.

use the skills and knowledge in your team to help breakdown problems as they arise. build creativity into your budget, to work around unexpected overspend. Look for deals up front to help with replacing broken equipment.

It’s your job to have a clear process of file and drive management. Back up back up back up. Find what works with your team so if you have a sick day or two people know how to access timely stored files. It starts with making your bed. Then carry on and keep your study and workflow tidy and organized.

create space in the budget to cover overspend. make sure your production office diary is updated and deadlines clear. Discuss how to work around creative issues with HOD's when things go wrong. Use creative apps and tools to communicate well with office and crew.

make a paper edit, it's simpler to tell a story using the imperical process... and if a better story arrives then follow that path... but get the essentials in the tin cos trying to edit stuff you don't have as rushes is very hard...

You are in a job to not only follow commands but lead with confidence on alternate options and cuts. Surprise people. It often makes the cut. They hired you because they trust you. Earn it with excellence.