Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Video Worker
💰 $45,000 - $85,000
🎯 Role Definition
A Video Worker, often titled Video Production Specialist or Content Creator, is a dynamic creative professional responsible for the end-to-end creation of video content. This role is a unique blend of technical expertise and artistic vision, encompassing everything from initial brainstorming and storyboarding to filming, editing, and final distribution. The Video Worker is a master storyteller who translates concepts, messages, and brand identities into high-quality, engaging video that captivates audiences and achieves strategic objectives across various digital platforms. They are the driving force behind an organization's visual narrative, ensuring every frame is polished, purposeful, and impactful.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Production Assistant
- Junior Video Editor or Videographer
- Social Media Coordinator with a focus on video
- Freelance Videographer
Advancement To:
- Senior Video Producer or Specialist
- Creative Director or Art Director
- Video Production Manager
- Content Strategy Manager
Lateral Moves:
- Motion Graphics Designer
- Digital Asset Manager
- Photographer / Commercial Photographer
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Manage the entire video production lifecycle, from initial concept development and pre-production planning through to shooting, editing, and final delivery, ensuring projects are completed on schedule and to the highest quality standard.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, communications, and product development, to conceptualize and script compelling video content that aligns with brand guidelines and campaign objectives.
- Operate a diverse range of professional video equipment, including DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema cameras, to capture high-quality, cinematic footage for various projects in both studio and on-location environments.
- Design, set up, and expertly manage complex lighting configurations and grip equipment to establish the desired mood, style, and visual tone for each scene, ensuring all footage is professionally lit.
- Record crystal-clear, professional-grade audio using a variety of microphones (e.g., lavalier, shotgun, boom) and audio recorders, meticulously monitoring levels to eliminate distortion and background noise.
- Assemble and edit raw footage into a cohesive and engaging narrative, making strategic editorial decisions about shot selection, pacing, and flow to effectively communicate the intended message.
- Perform advanced color correction and color grading to enhance the visual appeal of footage, create a consistent aesthetic across projects, and ensure alignment with the brand's visual identity.
- Design, animate, and composite motion graphics, including titles, lower thirds, call-to-actions, and other visual effects using software like Adobe After Effects to elevate production value and viewer engagement.
- Skillfully source, mix, and master audio elements, including dialogue, voice-overs, sound effects, and music, to create a rich, immersive soundscape that complements the visuals.
- Develop and maintain an organized digital asset management system for all video-related files, including raw footage, project files, graphics, and final exports, to ensure efficient archiving and retrieval.
- Stay current with the latest trends in video production, emerging technologies, social media video formats, and best practices to keep the organization's content fresh, modern, and effective.
- Effectively direct on-camera talent, including internal stakeholders and external actors, providing clear guidance and fostering a comfortable environment to elicit authentic and compelling performances.
- Prepare, compress, and export final video assets in a multitude of formats, aspect ratios, and resolutions, specifically optimized for distribution on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and corporate websites.
- Meticulously review and quality-check all video content to identify and correct any technical flaws, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies before final publication.
- Scout potential filming locations, assess their suitability for production needs, and handle the logistics of securing permits and permissions when necessary.
- Contribute to creative brainstorming sessions, pitching new ideas for video series, campaigns, and storytelling formats that support broader marketing and communication goals.
- Repurpose existing long-form content, such as webinars or interviews, by creatively editing them into shorter, shareable clips tailored for social media and other marketing channels.
- Manage and maintain the inventory of all in-house video production equipment, performing routine checks, troubleshooting issues, and making recommendations for new equipment purchases or upgrades.
- Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics (e.g., view duration, click-through rate, audience retention) of published videos to gather insights and inform future content strategies.
- Create and work within project budgets and timelines, proactively communicating with project managers about progress, potential risks, and resource needs.
- Ensure all video content adheres to copyright laws and licensing agreements for music, stock footage, and other third-party assets.
- Develop detailed storyboards and shot lists during pre-production to provide a clear visual roadmap for filming, ensuring alignment among all stakeholders.
Secondary Functions
- Support the creative team by assisting with photography or graphic design tasks as needed.
- Contribute to the evolution of the organization's visual brand strategy and video style guide.
- Collaborate with the social media team to develop platform-specific video strategies.
- Mentor junior team members or interns, providing guidance on production techniques and creative processes.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Video Editing Software Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of non-linear editing (NLE) software, primarily Adobe Premiere Pro, with strong familiarity with Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve.
- Motion Graphics & VFX: Advanced skill in Adobe After Effects for creating animated graphics, titles, and visual effects to enhance video projects.
- Videography & Cinematography: Deep understanding of camera operation, manual settings (ISO, shutter speed, aperture), framing, composition, and camera movement.
- Lighting Techniques: Proficiency in using various lighting kits and modifiers (e.g., three-point lighting, key, fill, backlights) to shape scenes and subjects effectively.
- Audio Recording & Engineering: Experience with professional audio equipment (microphones, recorders, mixers) and software (e.g., Adobe Audition) for capturing and mixing clean, high-quality sound.
- Color Correction & Grading: Strong ability to use tools like Lumetri Color in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve to correct footage and create specific cinematic looks.
- Digital Asset Management (DAM): Knowledge of best practices for organizing, tagging, and archiving large volumes of video files and project assets.
- Encoding & Compression: Understanding of video codecs, containers, bitrates, and export settings to optimize files for various platforms and use cases.
- Scripting & Storyboarding: Ability to translate ideas into clear, concise scripts and visual storyboards that guide production.
- DSLR/Mirrorless/Cinema Camera Operation: Hands-on experience with a wide range of professional camera systems and lens types.
Soft Skills
- Creativity & Visual Storytelling: A natural talent for crafting compelling narratives and communicating ideas visually.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to all aspects of production, from checking for focus in a shot to spotting a typo in a lower third.
- Time Management & Organization: Ability to juggle multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaboration & Teamwork: A cooperative spirit and the ability to work effectively with marketers, designers, and other stakeholders to achieve a shared vision.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for pitching ideas, providing updates, and interpreting creative feedback.
- Problem-Solving: The technical and creative ability to troubleshoot issues on the fly, whether it's a malfunctioning piece of gear or a narrative that isn't working.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements, unexpected challenges, and evolving creative feedback.
- Receiving Feedback: A professional and constructive attitude toward creative criticism, viewing it as a tool for improvement.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience demonstrated by a strong portfolio.
Preferred Education:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in a related discipline.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Film Production or Cinematic Arts
- Communications or Journalism
- Digital Media or Media Arts
- Broadcasting
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 2-5 years of hands-on, professional experience in video production, from concept to completion.
Preferred: A compelling and diverse portfolio showcasing a high level of technical skill and creative storytelling is highly preferred and will be heavily weighed. Experience working within a corporate or agency environment is a significant plus.