On our first day of work this summer, one of my co-workers and I had a training session. We were setting up and tearing down equipment to practice. My hands got clumsy as I was trying to remember all the new steps and skills. I was not yet used to the new equipment but also afraid of slowing down the process. Seeing that I was confused, my assistant producer Kate Yoder said, “Chau, take your time and get it right. There’s no need to rush.” She told me that even during a shoot, we should take time if we need to. As a Broadcast Journalism major, I have been always taught to work at a fast pace. However, what Kate said was true, in video production, “taking your time” is an important element of efficiency and success.

People often think of working in video production as just shooting videos then editing them on the computer. How simple that is! It is true, yet in order to make the process of shooting and editing simple, it requires a lot of skills. That’s why we take time when we work. It doesn’t mean working slowly, or doing a project without a deadline. If you take Kate’s words like that, the company probably would have a farewell party for you after a month. “Taking time” means good planning, careful preparation and staying focused.

I experience that a lot at FiveCore; we always plan and prepare. For example, when I record a voice over for a commercial, I often set up an appointment with the talent two to three days prior to the recording day. I arrive at the studio at least fifteen minutes before the appointment to set up and check the equipment. When we record, I often ask the talent to read the script several times. It saves me from making severe mistakes that would cost another email to apologize and another day to redo my work. It’s not only the cost of time, but professionalism. You might wonder how we can manage to take our time with a full load of work and a tight schedule. Staying focused is the key. And in order to stay focused on a project, you need to schedule and plan out your work carefully. Otherwise, you will be rushed and swimming in a pool of projects and deadlines.

What I like about FiveCore is that the company gives its staff the chance to explore the world of video production on their own. They did not overwhelm me with a training session full of lessons and books about gears and software. They always give me the chance to learn and improve as I work. I learn by observing my co-workers, asking questions and importantly, not being afraid to try new things. This summer, I learned a lot of things about video production, not only the technical aspects but also about how to contact and interact with the clients.

My favorite part, and what I think is very unique about FiveCore, is taking time to have fun.  We do have a lot of work, yet going out together to get a slurpee at 7-11 doesn’t hurt our work; it adds some refreshment to our workday.

We also hang out after work, playing mini-golf or having dinner together. It creates the opportunities for me to get to know everybody in the company better.  The highlight of the summer was our day-off at the beach. We had a lot of fun relaxing, playing volleyball on the beach, and… dunking each other in the water without warning.

Overall, it was a great summer working at FiveCore Media, and I am looking forward to continuing working on more projects when I come back from vacation.