Tom is a Senior Video Producer with SCOPIC, and he works on a variety of projects in his own time.
Sit down with him briefly to talk about his role and his advice on Video Production.
How long have you been working with cameras?
I had a camera since I was maybe 10, 12 years old. I started properly freelancing before university, doing weddings, things like that. Then I transitioned more into video throughout university, and then got really focused on video in the last 7 or 8 years.
What changed for you when moving into the Construction sector?
I think I was surprised at how much variety there is in the construction sector. I think the biggest change was seeing that variety in person. Shooting finished office fit-out spaces, but also seeing the laying of the foundations for the building, and every stage through that construction. I like shooting hand-tools, skills saw, where you see people really in the thick of it, expressing their craft.
What’s the last piece of work you’re proud of?
The SCOPIC video we put together for Strident Innovations. It was really fun using rear projection and equipment like tube lights with programmed timing. There were a lot of facets of that projects that feel like they came together very nicely.
Can you tell me about one skill you find priceless?
I think being able to maintain perspective on set is really valuable, because sometimes things can get very chaotic, and a lot can happen outside of your control.
As long as you can maintain perspective of knowing what you need and how to get there, that’s a great skill to develop. Things may not be going to plan, but you can still create something great out of the situation, even if it’s not exactly how you anticipated it.
What’s one piece of film / video that inspires you?
I’m a big fan of the Watchtower of Turkey.
It is short, but very intense, and there’s not only a lot of emotion in there, but a lot of technical skill. The managing of the viewer’s eye direction is really great.
There’s one shot that confused me for a while, because I’m thinking how did you do that beautiful transition? And basically it’s just in post, he zoomed in on a kids foot, and then match-cuts to something like footsteps in the sand. An obscure transition idea that works so well.
Can you recommend one key resource for an aspiring producer?
Seems like a bit of a cop-out, but I believe YouTube is one of the bigger resources we’ve got. There’s a lot of ‘YouTuber types’ who kind of regurgitate information and have the same style. But once you dig under that layer, I think you’ll find a lot of really interesting actual working creatives like the Wandering DP, Nicole Shapiro, or Gian Carlo Stigliano.
You can find working professionals in any role on a film set: Electrics, managing lights, you can find grips, cinematographers. There’s a whole host of high-level professionals who share their knowledge, and I think that’s great.
It’s a great resource for finding things that you actually like, and then building up your own personal style from those inspirations. A lot of time watching these videos will also show you how to get there, because there’s so much behind the scenes.
Single Source Lighting - A Cinematographer's Playbook | Wandering DP
Behind the Scenes: Cinematic Commercial FX3 | Nicole Shapiro
How to make FILMMAKING FUN | Gian Carlo Stigliano
More insider interviews coming soon…
