1) What advice do you have for new directors? 

2) What advice can you offer to up-and-coming producers? 

3) Learning is an ongoing process even for the most seasoned producer. Would you share a recent lesson learned on the job, perhaps related to a project involving new technology (i.e., VR, AR, AI, etc.) or another experience? 

4) What recent project are you particularly proud of--and why? You can include a direct link to it.

Sloan Schroeder
VP/Director of Content Production
Crispin Porter Bogusky

1) Think lean/scrappy, but not cheap. Make your own stuff as much as possible. Know lenses and DP language. Which means collaborate, but always have an opinion. Lean on your producer for creative advice because you might be surprised. Know who is paying the bills. Always be on time. In closing, the best way to get attention is to relentlessly pursue the right people, mixed with a bit of luck.

2) Know how to do something other than coordinate. Play music, shoot photography, cut some videos, etc. Play around and be your own artist. Make your own stuff. Or at least treat each project that way. Stay hungry too. The world of content and the definition of producer has changed. No longer are you acting as 1 type of producer. Wear as many hats as you’re allowed. Always ask for help, no matter the size of the question.

3) Projects are different now. It is now TV, online video, social videos, photography, celebrities, influencers, snackable content galore, with 1,000 deliverables for 57 websites, all with a different spec to deliver. And it all has to be done for the same budgets as a few years ago. I experienced this recently, and the biggest takeaway was that it demanded I get out of my comfort zone. Not enough money? Figure it out. Not enough time? Figure it out. What I discovered is that people want to work. They want to create. They want to be a part of something. I also discovered that good creative still gets attention no matter the issues or roadblocks ahead.

4) Late last year I produced a short documentary (for the American Heart Association) featuring a solo artist who had recently suffered a stroke. Pulling off the job required the exact mindset of the new way of doing things. No money. Four-man crew. I took photographs. The DP did sound. The art director shopped for props. Everyone chipped in. No egos. Cut it in two days. Shipped it another two. Wild ride. 

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