When you hear that someone is a video specialist, what do you think it means?
You might think that it’s simply someone who specializes in videos, but what does that mean exactly?
It seems like such a broad term, you could find at least 10 definitions from 10 different people and even then you might still be confused.
In this article, we’ll be looking at what a video specialist actually does, their main responsibilities and requirements, their role in the company hierarchy, as well as their average yearly salary.
By the end, you’ll hopefully have a better understanding of what a video specialist actually is—and maybe want to become one yourself?
What does a video specialist actually do? 📋
A video production specialist is someone with extended knowledge of video production. They have experience in filming as well as editing audiovisual content.
Their job is to use their expertise to help the video producer and the rest of the team bring their vision to life. They use their storytelling skills to create an engaging video for their audience and to send the intended message clearly.
While their job is similar to a video producer’s, the difference is that a video specialist solely handles video production. They’re not responsible for casting actors or finding filming locations. They are strictly focused on the process of making the video.
That said, they do work very closely with the video producer, so you will often see them as a team.
Video specialist job description template 📄✍️
Whether you are looking to hire or get hired, here’s a typical job description for a video production specialist:
We are looking for an experienced Video Specialist to join our team! As a Video Specialist, you will be responsible for leading the production of video content for product launches and other marketing campaigns.
Video Specialist responsibilities:
- Promote the brand and our products by producing high-quality videos
- Work closely with the video producer to plan concepts and stories for videos
- Assist and guide the video specialist, the video editor, and the director of photography throughout the production process
- Produce scripts with the help of the writer
- Suggest appropriate equipment for each shoot (cameras, lighting, microphones, etc.)
- Keep up with the latest video production trends
Video Specialist requirements:
- 3+ years experience in video production or other similar fields
- Bachelor’s degree in film, media studies, marketing, or other related fields
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Proficiency in using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Final Cut Pro X, and other video editing software
- Exceptional communicator and team player
- Excellent storyteller
Note: Depending on the employer, you might find more or fewer responsibilities and/or requirements than the ones we listed above.
Who does the video specialist answer to – role hierarchy 🤔
Technically speaking, the video specialist answers to the video producer, however, more often than not, they stand on equal grounds. You will usually see the video specialist and the video producer working as a team and reporting to the video marketing manager.
Video specialist job requirements 🧐
You might be wondering by now what sort of skills do you need to become a successful video specialist?
There is quite a range of hard and soft skills you want to consider.
When it comes to hard skills, you have to build your experience in scriptwriting and storyboarding. As the video specialist, you are the main storyteller along with the producer, so you need to know how to put your ideas on paper.
It’s important to learn about scene composition as well, as that is also a crucial element when you want to tell a story without words.
Not only that, you also need to know how to execute your ideas and bring your vision to life. This is why you have to learn how to handle filming equipment i.e. cameras, lenses, lighting, microphones, etc. You need to be knowledgeable about their features, the differences between them, what type of videos and/or shorts you use them for, and of course, where to find them.
While there is always a crew ready to do the heavy lifting and give you advice, they will mostly be following your instructions, so you need to know what you’re talking about.
Don’t forget to brush up on your editing skills, as well. Always stay updated about the latest versions of some of the best professional editing softwares in the industry, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, or Final Cut Pro X.
Even if editing videos isn’t your main job, you want to learn as many techniques as possible so you can then instruct the editor on how to tell the story properly. The editor can offer advice and ideas if needed, but for that to happen, you have to know what you’re working with.
Of course, soft skills are just as important as hard skills, and probably the most important soft skill is creativity. You’re trying to tell a story, after all. You’re trying to connect with your audience and give them something to engage with and maybe even get inspired by. You want to make a lasting impression on them and good stories are a way to go.
But in order to be a good storyteller, you also have to be a good listener. It’s important to listen to the feedback you get from your team. Listen to their ideas and use your critical thinking to decide if they fit the vision of the story you’re trying to tell.
Don’t take the feedback too personally. After all, everyone on the team is trying to tell the same story as well as possible. Think of it as a team effort rather than a personal attack.
It’s important to be a problem solver, too. What will you do if the equipment you said you need isn’t available? What if something happens to the editing software, or worse, you lose the audio for the footage? Make sure to always have a trick under your sleeve to save the day.
Last but not least, you have to be a good communicator. Remember, you’re not just telling a story to your audience—but your team, too. They also need to understand it and see your vision so they can help you bring it to life. Give clear instructions and be ready to answer questions.
How much does a video specialist make – video specialist salary range 💰
For a close estimate of how much money you can earn with this job every year, we collected data from Glassdoor’s January 2023 report.
Below is a table of the average yearly salary for a video specialist in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
| Location | Average Yearly Salary for Video Specialist |
| United States | 53,294 USD/yr |
| Canada | 53,553 CAD/yr |
| United Kingdom | 31,700 GBP/yr |
| Australia | *77, 986 AUD/yr |
According to Glassdoor, in the United States and Canada, a video specialist makes around 53K USD per year and 53K CAD per year, respectively. It looks like the same amount at first, but after conversion, 53K CAD is around 39K USD. With this in mind, we can conclude that the salary for this position is higher in the United States than in Canada.
In the United Kingdom, Glassdoor estimates 31,700 GBP per year.
*There is no data for available for video specialist salaries in Australia on Glassdoor. We decided to use the average yearly salary of a video producer instead as a rough guide, as these two roles involve similar responsibilities (and in some cases, they completely overlap.)
Typical employers of video specialists 🏢
Any marketing agency that wants to leverage video content for their clients will need an experienced video specialist on their team, who knows the ins and outs of the production process and can provide valuable insight. They especially need one if they want to help their clients tell a consistent story throughout their content, one that fits the brand and respects its mission. Since they usually handle multiple clients, there is a lot of room for creativity.
Video production agencies also need video specialists who can help them craft videos that tell the story they want to tell. The biggest challenge here would be the find the balance between the agency’s style and the client’s style. If you find an agency that does several types of videos (animations, explainer videos, tutorials, etc), there will be lots of ways you can challenge your creativity.
Media companies looking to expand their content on YouTube and other social media platforms will need a video specialist to help them tell their story in an engaging, professional, and consistent way through high-quality videos. Since video content is becoming more and more popular by the day, media companies looking to hop on this lucrative trend have to make sure they are doing it with the right person. Usually, these companies tend to work on several videos at a time, so you will get to challenge your time management skills.
Where can you find video specialist jobs? 📍
A quick search for video specialist job opportunities on Indeed will find you tons of opportunities at huge TV stations like WCOV and tech giants like NTT Data.
Glassdoor also offers a wide variety of video specialist jobs worldwide, both remote and on-site, provided by top-paying companies.
And if all else fails, it’s always worth taking a peek at video specialist job openings on good ol’ LinkedIn.
Video specialists you can learn from ☑️
No better way to learn than by watching other experts. While their official job titles are different, the people below have extended knowledge in video production and are known for their creative storytelling, two of the most important assets a video specialist needs:
Madison Schaefer
Madison has more than 8 years’ worth of experience in digital media production, having previously worked as an assistant video editor at LinkedIn, among other notable employees. She is currently a video specialist at Zappier and you can check out her portfolio on her LinkedIn profile.
Chris Broad
Chris has his own YouTube channel called Abroad in Japan, where he makes videos exploring Japan and its culture. His skills and experience allowed him to produce many insightful videos like Inside Fukushima as well as a humorous series called Journey Across Japan.
Adam Neale
Adam combines his love for visual storytelling with his marketing skills by helping his clients deliver quality video content through his video production agency, Bold Content. You can explore Adam’s and his team’s work on the agency’s website.
Conclusion
Being a video specialist can be challenging but also rewarding in many ways.
If you have a passion for your craft, take pride in making good quality videos, and like working with a team of equally passionate individuals, you might like working as a video specialist.
If not, at least you now know what you need to look for when you’re hiring one.
Video Specialist FAQs
A digital video specialist is like a chef who specializes in creating gourmet dishes using state-of-the-art kitchen equipment.
Just as a chef has a deep understanding of food preparation techniques, ingredients, and flavors, a digital video specialist has expertise in video editing software, camera equipment, and digital media production.
In this article we’ve listed a few skills a video production specialist needs to have as well as places where you can find video production specialist jobs. But to sumarize
To become a video production specialist, you should start by learning the fundamentals of video production.
Gain practical experience by producing your own videos, volunteering, or interning with a production company. Finally, specialize in an area of video production such as editing, cinematography, or sound design and focus on developing your skills in that area.
