What do you do if you want to break into video production without a formal education?

To get started in video production, immerse yourself in the basics of the craft. This means understanding the principles of good storytelling, learning how to compose a shot, and getting to grips with editing software. There are countless resources online, from tutorials to forums where you can ask questions and get feedback. Start by creating simple projects to practice your skills, such as short films or vlogs. As you learn, pay attention to the work of professionals and critically analyze what makes their videos effective or engaging.

Start by diving into free online tutorials and challenge yourself with projects for friends or local businesses. This hands-on experience is invaluable and will teach you the ins and outs faster than any classroom could. Remember, every pro was once a beginner, and the key to success is constant practice and learning from both your successes and mistakes. Embrace feedback and use it to refine your work!

Before becoming a freelance videographer, I was making travel videos on YouTube. It was a great way to learn about video, practice, make mistakes and learn without a client depending on me.

Breaking into video production without a formal education is doable. Immerse yourself in the craft through online tutorials and resources. A goldmine of content is available for free or at a minimal cost. YouTube is your best friend here, with countless channels dedicated to teaching the ins and outs of video production, from cinematography to editing to sound design. Get hands-on experience. Start creating your videos with whatever equipment you have, even if it's just your smartphone. Experiment with different styles and techniques to find what resonates with you. Join online communities and forums on Vimeo, Reddit, and LinkedIn. Get feedback and connect with fellow video creators.

Practice makes perfect and working on short formats is the best way to learn. I started making short films at age 6 with my mother's Super-8 camera - there were no smartphones back then. Never let not having access to professional equipment slow you down. Never let having to learn how to use new tools stop you. In a lot of ways, being a good storyteller means being able to convey your message whatever budget and tools you have on hand.

Starting with what you've got, like a smartphone or entry-level DSLR, is a great first step in video production. Investing in audio and lighting is where you'll see significant improvements in quality, often more so than upgrading your camera right away. And most importantly, buy things on a "need to use" basis, meaning don't buy a fancy motorized slider because you think it might come in handy. It most likely won't trust me, I've been there.

One thing that most budding video makers should understand is the capital importance of sound in your project. While most digital cameras or smartphones in existence today can give you a decent and stable image quality, your whole project can feel amateurish if your sound recording is bad. There are many ways around it such as bluetooth microphones, or shooting projects that do not require audio sync and can be dubbed with music afterwards.

Keeping it simple. Get professional equipment. Get the right tools. Audio is one of the most important elements, so make sure to have good mics. If your audio sounds terrible I dont really want to watch your video when I can find another video with better audio.

I started a video production business with ZERO experience in video production. And now 13 years later we have produced over 1,500 video and we have fantastic clients and body of work. So....just get started! When you start shooting, you will get better. And when you start shooting you will have a portfolio that will evolve and grow as your skills and level of equipment grows. You are fortunate that the up front investment to shoot good video today is not that much compared to the past. Do what you can with what you have, but keep on doing it.

I find it incredibly important for portfolio building to be able to express your own voice and style. Too many people in creative fields are following technical or style trends without really asking themselves how to use their identity to make their projects stand out. Video production is one of the creative fields that lets people express themselves in so many ways that straying from the mainstream is not only a good idea, it's a survival move to make your voice heard in an overly crowded market.

Yes. It takes time, but do what you can to build your portfolio in an industry that you like. When you get better through years of practice go back and delete your old content because you have probably improved over the years.

A great portfolio will open doors for new work. Just know that you will get new work like the work already in your portfolio. You attract what you demonstrate competency in. Make sure your portfolio aligns with your ideal clients.

Going to meetups, workshops, and networking events is a great start, but also think about creating your own content to showcase what you can do. Reaching out to professionals for advice is smart, but offering to help on projects can be a direct path to gaining real experience. While social media is good for keeping up with news, it's also a platform to share your work and get noticed. It's not just who you know, but also who knows what you can do.

When creating video content, I recommend networking outside of the creative fields. Attending various events and telling the people you meet about your activity can extend your circle quickly. Bringing a positive and friendly attitude, and a few solid portfolio pieces to show around, maybe even a well-designed business card or sticker with your information is always a good move.

This is a half-joke, but one I think makes an important point: When I ask a new production assistant what 'PA' stands for, the answer is 'Pen Always.' Being a valuable PA means always having a Sharpie, ballpoint pen, and multitool on hand. PAs stand out and progress in the world of production when they listen, pay attention, and step up when needed. Whether it's using those tools or sharing critical information, the key is to be prepared. Other ways to achieve this include studying the call sheet, getting to know the crew, vendors, and locations, and storing contact details in your phone during equipment or prop pickups/dropoffs. Being quick on your feet, attentive, and able to synthesize information are also crucial skills.

Being a part of a group of people with similar interests is a great way to experience many hats and pay it forward. The people you help on your project will help you on yours, and your network and experience will grow in an easy and accessible way.

I love this question because I can relate to this journey with no formal training to currently serving as an executive TV Producer with my own channel with the ability to have 12 content creators. I would say the first step is to be clear with your voice and the message that you would like to convey. Video is a dynamic way to captivate and emotionally connect with your audience. I would also recommend to hire a videographer and watch them at work. Ask questions to get their insights on lighting, sound, props, staging and tone . I would also hire a coach to work on confidence and mindset. You may often be a trailblazer with unique content so THICK SKIN is a must and a coach can help with that. Lastly, do it scared! Trust your gut!

Depending on what type of job you'd like in video production, having relevant qualification may not help you at all. If you have strong communication skills, know how to sell and are keen to learn and create content, you can start a career in video production.