What does a media production specialist do?
A media production specialist produces media such as films, documentaries, audio messages, or videos. The qualifications for this position are knowledge of computer software editing programs and familiarity with media production devices such as cameras, microphones, and lighting. They are expected to produce media in a variety of formats, conduct quality control, and make recommendations of equipment to be purchased to perform given tasks.
Media production specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real media production specialist resumes:
- Upload all videos and manage YouTube content site including comments, statistics, etc.
- Provide right-hand executive assistance to the editor-in-chief; manage all aspects of professional life.
- Facilitate teleconferences in various rooms at the CDC's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia by integrating audiovisual equipment with teleconferencing units.
- Function as primary contact for journal editors and sponsoring societies to coordinate editorial and production activities.
Media production specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Media Production Specialists are proficient in Training Videos, Video Production, and Graphic Design. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Speaking skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Media Production Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Training Videos, 12%
Write, shoot and edit marketing/ training videos and online tutorials for college.
- Video Production, 11%
Project management responsibility for video productions.
- Graphic Design, 11%
Collaborated with graphic designer on project.
- Photography, 8%
Performed underwater cinematography and photography for astronaut training and space flight hardware recovery.
- Motion Graphics, 7%
Work with 3D Animator to create and integrate motion graphics and composite effects into animation projects.
- Adobe Premiere, 5%
Edit and produce high quality promotional/commercial video for various clients usingAdobe PremierePro and After Effects.
Common skills that a media production specialist uses to do their job include "training videos," "video production," and "graphic design." You can find details on the most important media production specialist responsibilities below.
Organizational skills. The most essential soft skill for a media production specialist to carry out their responsibilities is organizational skills. This skill is important for the role because "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." Additionally, a media production specialist resume shows how their duties depend on organizational skills: "facilitated communications with external organizational leaders; managed out-going media, incoming conference media materials, and promotional videos for speakers. "
Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling media production specialist duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." According to a media production specialist resume, here's how media production specialists can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "monitored media department and delivered excellent customer service by greeting and assisting each customer.addressed customer inquiries and resolved complaints. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of media production specialists is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday media production specialist duties, as "public relations specialists deal with the public and the media regularly." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "preserve excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to continue building good working relationships. "
Writing skills. For certain media production specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "writing skills." The day-to-day duties of a media production specialist rely on this skill, as "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what media production specialists do: "assisted in writing, producing and editing over 500 local & regional video productions and television/radio ads. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for media production specialist responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of media production specialists all the time, as "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." An excerpt from a real media production specialist resume shows how this skill is central to what a media production specialist does: "created technical solutions that addressed cross-platform issue with art created on a mac and converted for pc. "
The three companies that hire the most media production specialists are:
- National Business Furniture6 media production specialists jobs
- Crown Equipment2 media production specialists jobs
- Columbus Zoo and Aquarium2 media production specialists jobs
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Compare different media production specialists
Media production specialist vs. Freelance videographer/editor
A freelance videographer/editor is responsible for processing and editing video contents, usually on a project basis. Freelance videographer/editors create their footage using their shooting equipment, utilize various design and editing software, and finish the project based on the clients' specifications and deliverables. They should also have a good grasp of digital marketing to produce impactful videos to the target audience. A freelance videographer/editor must be detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills to coordinate with the production team for content plans and perform adjustments as needed.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, media production specialist responsibilities require skills like "adobe premiere," "animation," "premiere pro," and "print production." Meanwhile a typical freelance videographer/editor has skills in areas such as "video shoots," "edit video," "adobe premiere pro," and "promo videos." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that freelance videographer/editors earn slightly differ from media production specialists. In particular, freelance videographer/editors are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a media production specialist. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Media production specialist vs. Videographer
A videographer specializes in shooting and editing high-definition videos of different events, making them presentable to clients. They are primarily responsible for having their video equipment, coordinating with clients to learn any preferences or particular requests, capturing and recording from the best angle, and producing results quickly and accurately. Most of the time, a videographer may travel to different places, direct clients on what to do during filming, and edit any obstructions to produce an optimal result. Furthermore, it is essential to build rapport with clients to establish a client base and earn more projects.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that media production specialist responsibilities requires skills like "adobe premiere," "animation," "premiere pro," and "print production." But a videographer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "video equipment," "video shoots," "adobe premiere pro," and "production equipment."
Videographers earn a lower average salary than media production specialists. But videographers earn the highest pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $41,551. Additionally, media production specialists earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $65,201 annually.videographers earn similar levels of education than media production specialists in general. They're 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for media production specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Mike Bromberg
Assistant Professor, East-West University
How we get our information will be more relevant, and new media platforms will continue to change how it is consumed.
I felt it essential to engage students with sources from both liberal and conservative views, especially with the discussion on fake news. For many people, unfortunately, ideology is more important than facts.
Media production specialist vs. Freelance video editor
A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a media production specialist is likely to be skilled in "adobe premiere," "animation," "premiere pro," and "print production," while a typical freelance video editor is skilled in "adobe premiere pro," "edit video," "freelance video," and "web series."
When it comes to education, freelance video editors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to media production specialists. In fact, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Media production specialist vs. Photographer, editor
A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between media production specialists and photographers, editor, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a media production specialist might have more use for skills like "training videos," "photography," "animation," and "print production." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of photographers, editor require skills like "video cameras," "digital photography," "eng," and "news stories. "
The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for photographers, editor, with average annual pay of $55,183. Comparatively, the highest media production specialist annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of photographers, editor showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to media production specialists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of media production specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
