How did we get into video production?

Posted by Chris Thomson

​Video for me has always been about creating something unique, something that no one else has done before. Sure, there’s music videos, commercials, films and TV shows that all reflect one another, but what I’m talking about is making something that cannot be replicated. I think of it as piece of art; you’ve got your Da Vincis and Van Goghs, but who’s to say that a kid’s high school art project is anything less than what these famous artists produce? Every piece of art is different and has unique qualities; it really comes down to the audience that it’s placed in front of. Indeed beauty, and art, is in the eye of the beholder. 

I created my first ever video in 2009, a time-lapse compilation of the sky and cityscape over London while I was living there for a period of three years. Now, looking back, it’s nothing I ever talk about - but in reality, it was the start of what I now know as my career as a Director of Photography.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve taken detours and wrong turns to get here, but every experience has been worth it, from the that first video using a basic stills camera, editing with Windows Movie Maker, all the way up to my professional career producing over a hundred product videos and full-length adventure programs for one of Australia’s motoring media brands, 4WD Action.
Nothing had really stood out as a real career for me until video production came in to the picture (pun intended). I managed a pub in London; I managed a backpackers hostel in the Blue Mountains, and I became a journalist for 4WD Action. During my time in all those roles, my interest in video creation was always there. But it was always just a hobby I had, and any time I spent behind a camera was my own time. But, during my time as an editorial assistant, it all changed. I borrowed a camera from the office one day and made a video on a social trip out west for a few days. I got home, fired up the laptop and didn’t put it down for about 15 hours. I had no script, no team, no professional experience in editing – nothing but passion. I took it into the office the next day with no expectations, I just wanted to brag to all the guys who hadn’t come on the trip and show them how much fun we had. Well, within about two hours, I was told I was no longer going to be writing for the magazine; rather I was to be a part of our digital media team as a camera operator and editor. As you can imagine, I was over the moon!
I learnt so much from the people around me, being coached on filming techniques, editing techniques, storytelling, product selling, colour grading, creating emotion and so on... Two years later, I was thrown the role of Video Department Manager and Lead Producer for a 45 minute travel adventure show, shot and edited every three weeks. At this point, I knew video production was for me. Don’t give up on your dreams, do what you love, do what you want, and do what you can’t, because, one day, you will!
 
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