Utilize Your Inner Filmmaker as a PM

Video production skills can be a valuable asset for product managers in several ways:

1. Creating product demos and explainer videos: As a product manager, you may be responsible for demonstrating your product to potential customers or stakeholders. Video production skills can help you create engaging and effective product demos or explainer videos that showcase your product’s features and benefits.
2. Communicating with your team: Video production skills can also be useful for communicating with your team and other stakeholders. You can use video to record presentations or update meetings, which can be particularly useful when working with remote teams or when you need to share complex information.
3. Marketing your product: Video is a powerful marketing tool, and as a product manager, you may be responsible for promoting your product to potential customers. Video production skills can help you create engaging and effective marketing videos that showcase your product’s features and benefits.
4. Collaborating with designers and developers: If you work closely with designers or developers, video production skills can be useful for collaborating on design concepts or prototyping ideas. You can use video to share your ideas and get feedback from your team.

By using your video production skills in these ways, you can become a more effective product manager and better communicate your ideas and vision to your team and stakeholders.

The basics of video production include understanding the following:

1. Cameras and lenses: There are many different types of cameras and lenses available, and each has its own unique features and capabilities. It’s important to understand the different options and how to choose the right equipment for your needs.
2. Lighting: Proper lighting is essential for creating professional-quality video. You should understand how to set up lighting for different types of shots, including close-ups, wide shots, and interviews.
3. Sound: Good sound is just as important as good video, and you should understand how to capture and record high-quality audio. This includes using microphones, selecting the right recording settings, and managing audio levels.
4. Editing: Editing is the process of selecting, arranging, and manipulating video footage to create a final product. You should learn how to use software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro to edit video, including how to cut and trim footage, add transitions, and create effects.

To learn the basics of video production, you can start by taking a course or workshop, reading books or online tutorials, or working with a mentor or experienced professional.

Here are some ways you can get hands-on experience in video production on your own:

1. Start shooting your own projects: One of the best ways to learn video production is by shooting and editing your own video projects. You can start by creating short films or video projects that showcase your skills and creativity.
2. Experiment with different types of cameras and lenses: Experimenting with different types of cameras and lenses can help you understand the different capabilities and limitations of each type of equipment. You can try renting different cameras and lenses to see which ones work best for you.
3. Practice setting up lighting and sound: Setting up lighting and sound can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of video production. You can practice setting up lighting and sound for different types of shots, such as close-ups, wide shots, and interviews.
4. Edit your own video projects: Editing is a key part of video production, and you can learn a lot by editing your own video projects. You can use software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro to edit your footage, and you can experiment with different techniques and effects to develop your skills.
5. Collaborate with others: Collaborating with others can help you learn and grow as a video producer. You can work with friends or other aspiring filmmakers to create video projects together, or you can join a local film or video production group to connect with other professionals.

Here is a case study of the product demo I created in one of my early startups: