How can you find video production mentors?

Be very clear what your desired areas of development are and think through the exact steps to track progress in each. Be humble, ask questions and be vulnerable to ensure your mentor has visibility on exactly what your motivations are and can decide if they are the person to support you.

Setting clear and specific goals is the foundation of a successful mentorship journey. It not only helps you find the right mentor but also ensures that your time and their expertise are utilized effectively. Defining your goals, whether they're related to technical skills, business acumen, or creative exploration, provides direction and purpose to the mentorship relationship. It also allows you to communicate your aspirations and expectations clearly, which is essential for a mutually beneficial partnership. So, take the time to reflect on what you want to achieve, and you'll be well-prepared to embark on a meaningful mentorship journey in the world of video production.

You won't always know what you're doing. But a great mentor can also help you clarify your goals. It's helpful to have someone with experience integrating various styles of formats. Why? A one trick pony can only teach you that one trick. But a jack of all trades can lead you in a more well-rounded direction.

Know what you love, because you'll nail it! Then decide what you need to learn in order to get good enough to be paid to do it.

Be brave, just ask. Find someone that has the skills (you need to learn) and approach them politely. Bear in mind that they may not be instantly available or can reply at the pace you’d like but you’ll be surprised, most people are happy to help.

These are great but here are some other platforms and methods to help you connect with mentors: LinkedIn: (Who knew - haha) connects you with experienced professionals by sending personalized messages expressing your interest in mentorship. Mentorship Websites: FindAMentor and Mentoring.org. Websites like CreativeCOW and Vimeo's Community Forums take requests. Social Media Groups: Facebook, Reddit, and other social media platforms. Joining these groups can help you connect. The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) or the International Documentary Association (IDA) often have networking events and mentorship programs. Online masterclasses and workshops: they often include Q&A sessions and opportunities for interaction.

Look up for creators that create the type of work that inspires you, connect with them, find opportunities for collaboration or just pick their brain. Often times the best mentors are the ones who don't feel the need to always be screaming on social media about everything or forcing their 'wisdom' on others - they simply quietly continue making the best work, collaborating and learning from the experience. Followers can be bought, likes can be harvested but experience comes with actually doing stuff.

Find your most local Discord/ Slack/ FB /IG /X group. If there's one for your city, great! If there's one for your country, that'll do too. Even an international one is ok. Be humble and put your work out there for review. If you can't share your work you won't grow as an artist. People love to help and we're all noobs when we start learning something new. Also make sure you give something back: Comment on other people's posts and work. Be positive, but honest! If you have the chance try to show up for the physical meet ups. There's nothing quite like meeting people face to face :)

Professional organizations can be a great way to find a mentor. Women in Film and Video, for example, has a very strong presence in the Washington, D.C. area and has a formal mentoring program. Some universities also have an alumni directory that can allow other alumni to look for people in specific fields and approach them with questions (provided the person is open to being approached).

Surround yourself with people who are better than you. Get a job at a studio you admire or a coworking space. You'll learn so much by being around highly skilled people watching them work, discussing how to solve a problem or simply having to step up your own game. As a junior you'll have to put in the hours. Both juniors and a seniors alike should always be humble.

Find someone who has already achieved what you aspire to do. And then establish their willingness and ability to show you how to do it. This will help shortcut your growth process. By following a path that has already been tested, and demonstrated that it leads to success.

Send them a DM, email, tweet, TikTok, Reel, comment - what ever in any way shape of form. Perks - you might make a new connection and grow your network. Worst thing that can happen is you don't get a reply but without reaching out, you are definitely not going to get a reply.

I always enjoy talking with a curious and eager person just getting into the industry. When you're open to new ideas, techniques, and perspectives you go further. Underlying motives of making more money or in it because of obligation or any other reason hold you back from being your true self. Your mentor's experience is a valuable resource for expanding your knowledge - take advantage of it!

Maintain the relationship but actively check in, where are you now? Have you 'outgrown' your mentor? Are you ready to grown your relationships on the next level? Ask your current mentors who their mentors are and see if they resonate with you. A good mentor-student relationship is one of friendship.

One thing I've learned the hard way is to be respectful of other people's time. Especially in the freelance world where that time is equal to money. Most skilled people are happy to share their knowledge when they have a moment to do so. When I was younger I tended to blab or ask a lot of questions when it would have been more valuable to shut up and watch for a while, THEN ask questions.

How do you find video production mentors? I have found that to simply ask for help from a potential mentor can pay rewards. Just telephone video production companies in your area. Ask if there is someone working there - perhaps the boss - who can advise a young video production worker. You would be surprised how many of these calls can reach a decision-maker and lead to employment. This is what I did in my career.

The best way to learn and to give something back to the community is by sharing your knowledge. Motion designers are a unique brand of people always eager to teach their knowledge to others. You can contribute too!