
Behind the Lens with Lloyd Media Group
Transitioning from broadcast journalism to video production nearly 20 years ago wasn’t a leap into the unknown. It was a natural evolution. I didn’t just leave behind my reporter’s notepad. I brought along an array of skills, insights, and perspectives that not only enriched my new calling but became invaluable assets. Here are 8 invaluable lessons from my journalism days that have become cornerstones in my video production career.
At the heart of both journalism and video production lies storytelling. Every news story aims to tell a story that captivates, informs, and resonates with viewers. Similarly, every video – be it a commercial, website content, or internal communications – should narrate a compelling story that captivates its audience.
2-Accuracy and Authenticity Matter
In journalism, factual accuracy is non-negotiable. This meticulous attention to detail is fundamental in my production career. Plus commitment to truth guides values, reminding me to always represent subjects authentically, without misrepresentation or undue embellishment.
3-Working Under Pressure
Newsrooms are notorious for their tight deadlines. This constant race against time prepared me for the rigorous schedules of video shoots and post-production, allowing me to maintain quality even when under pressure.
4-Mastering Interviews
Years of conducting interviews sharpened my skills in drawing out genuine responses, navigating conversations, and ensuring a comfortable environment for interviewees – skills I treasure in video production.
5-Ethical Considerations
Just as broadcast journalism demands a high level of ethics when presenting news, video production requires a commitment to validity, fairness, and respect.
6-The Art of Editing
In journalism, every word counts. Learning how to trim stories down to their most essential parts without losing their essence was a lesson easily applied to video production – helping me craft coherent, impactful narratives from hours of footage.
7-Collaboration is Key
Working in a newsroom is a team effort. The same is true in video production. I’ve found that collaboration with videographers, editors, audio engineers, and more – leads to richer and more varied content.
8-Continuous Learning
The world of broadcast news requires you to become a quick-study on any number of topics – every day. In the same vein, video production gives me the same opportunity to learn a lot about a great deal of things. Bonus: my journalism background instilled a love for continuous learning, which keeps me fulfilled.
My broadcast journalism journey wasn’t a chapter I closed, but a foundation upon which I built my video production career. I still smile when I think back to the good ol’ days. And I look forward to all our new video projects.