How I Got My Start in Video

Summary

In this reflective video, the creator looks back at his early journey into filmmaking, sharing embarrassing old footage to illustrate how his skills developed over time. From experimenting with his parents’ camera in high school to dropping out of film school and later exploring photography, weddings, and motion graphics with his wife, he emphasizes learning through constant practice rather than formal validation. His key message is that no gatekeeper is required to become a filmmaker today—tools and education are widely accessible. What truly matters is time spent creating, experimenting, and embracing imperfect work as part of the growth process.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journey of learning to make videos started in high school with a simple video camera and no real sense of story or purpose.
• 🎥 Early experimentation with video editing and effects helped hone skills, even though the work was rough and unsophisticated.
• 🎬 College was a turning point, where the desire to pursue film deepened, but the lack of hands-on filmmaking experience in class led to a decision to drop out of the formal film program.
• 🌍 A brief switch to international relations in college was influenced by a love for travel, though the passion for filmmaking never fully faded.
• 💍 A marriage to Isabel (Izzy) during college sparked a renewed interest in video, leading to collaborative camera work and shooting weddings to gain practical experience.
• 🎥 Wedding photography in Utah was a gateway into gaining practical camera work and editing experience, despite it being a low-cost market.
• 📽️ A fascination with motion graphics led to learning tools like After Effects through online tutorials, despite early work being subpar.
• 🖥️ Throughout high school and college, the main focus was playing around with video and graphics, rather than professional work, which laid the foundation for a future career.
• 🚀 The video-making journey was a reminder that there are no shortcuts to mastering video skills—only through time, practice, and experimentation can real growth happen.
• 📚 The importance of learning outside traditional institutions was emphasized—film school or certification isn’t necessary in today’s world to become a skilled videographer.
• 📧 The speaker also announced the creation of a monthly newsletter sharing a Spotify playlist, inspiring videos, personal updates, and more, inviting viewers to sign up.

Q & A

How did the speaker first get involved in video creation?

The speaker first got involved in video creation in high school when they used their parents' video camera to make short films. These films had no clear story or purpose, but they provided an opportunity to experiment with filming and editing.

What kind of early video content did the speaker create?

The speaker's early video content was described as weird, horrendous, and storyless. The films were mostly experimental and lacked a clear narrative or structure.

What significant breakthrough did the speaker have in 2005?

In 2005, the speaker learned how to mask video clips, allowing them to combine two pieces of video and create composited effects, which was a key moment in their development as a video creator.

Why did the speaker drop out of the film program in college?

The speaker dropped out of the film program after being disappointed by the lack of practical filmmaking experience. The class focused more on theory, history, and critique, with little actual filmmaking until the fourth year.

How did the speaker's college experience influence their career path?

After dropping out of the film program, the speaker switched to studying international relations, feeling the need to grow up and pursue a more 'adult' career. However, they still remained interested in video and filmmaking, which later led to a resurgence of interest in the field.

What role did the speaker's wife, Isabel (Izzy), play in their filmmaking journey?

Izzy, the speaker's wife, was also interested in video and film. Together, they bought their first camera and began experimenting with it, including shooting weddings and documenting their lives, which helped the speaker gain more experience with video and editing.

What was the speaker's first significant step into motion graphics?

The speaker's first significant step into motion graphics was when they discovered 2D motion graphics and infographics on the internet. They then took a tutorial on lynda.com to learn After Effects, although their early work was not very good.

What did the speaker learn from their early, not-so-great video work?

The speaker learned that despite their early work being considered 'garbage,' it was an essential part of their growth. The time spent experimenting and learning by making mistakes was valuable, and it helped build their skills over time.

What are the two major lessons the speaker wants to share from their early video creation experience?

The first lesson is that you don't need formal validation (like film school) to succeed in the video industry. The second lesson is that skills in videography come from putting in the time and experimenting, even if the work is not immediately professional or perfect.

What are the speaker's plans for sharing content in the future?

The speaker plans to start sending out a monthly email newsletter with four things: a Spotify playlist, a video that inspires them, a piece of content they like, and an update on their lives and projects. They promise to keep it non-spammy and easy to unsubscribe from.