Video Production Internship and What We Do

With the final day for our internship being not too far, we got our interns together to answer some burning questions that you may have before joining the team. In this article, our interns share about who they are, what they do and why they are here in the first place. Read on to find out more about a video production internship at Vivid Media.

The Vivid Snaps Team

Our team consists of media professional with expertise in video production from pre to post. Consisting of videographers, video editors, director, project coordinators and graphic designer. Our portfolio is focused on corporate clients. And our works ranges from internal communication videos, brand story videos, virtual & hybrid events and corporate photography.

Introduction to Vivid Media

Vivid Snaps started out in 2011 with their Instant Roving Photography Services with Photo Print. This allowed them to have their current extensive portfolio of event instant photos.

In 2013, they expanded to a full range of Photography while establishing strategic alliances with local studios to ensure the growth of the business in the Commercial Photography segment. 

Entering 2016, they introduced their services in Event Videography and then Video Production. 

Now Vivid Snaps stands as a Multi-Disciplinary Media Production engaging in all kinds of media services existing in the market.

Video Production Internship at Vivid Media

Vivid Media provides internships for various roles that expose you to many aspects of the media and video production industry. Here are the current internships offered at Vivid Media:

• Project Coordinator
• Producer
• Video Editor
• Videographer

Our Dear Interns

You might be curious about… 

Why did you choose Vivid Media?

Le Xuan: For most students in Event Management, they would prefer to choose an events-related company for their internship. However, I am someone who has been passionate and interested in the media industry for years. Luckily enough, I was able to take the first step into the industry when I was offered the role of a Project Coordinator at Vivid Media.

Sneha: I have been keen on the role of a Producer ever since taking it on during one of my projects at school. I’m very used to working on narrative and documentary projects, but the corporate side of content creation always piqued my curiosity. Vivid Media is a company that caters to all sorts of clients, with works in both Narrative Video Production and Event Coverage. I found it to be the perfect opportunity for me to try the best of both worlds. 

Fu Ping: The role of a Video Editor seemed most appealing to me as it’d allow me to interact with real clients whilst exposing me to various editing techniques and workflows that I’ve not come across at school. I chanced upon the video editor listing posted by Vivid Media and I applied for it after the recommendation given from my lecturers and seniors.

Kasper: Coming from a Media Production & Design Diploma, I was drawn towards videography, hence, while I was sourcing for internship opportunities, I focused my efforts mainly on looking at video production companies.

When I came across Vivid Media’s website, I was immediately captivated by the professional look & feel of the website. I was also intrigued by the various services offered by Vivid Media such as Corporate Video Production, Hybrid Event Live Streaming, Event Photography & Videography & Corporate Photography. It felt like a place where I can acquire a lot of knowledge & skills, hence, I seized the opportunity & I am glad to have been offered a role as a Videographer at Vivid Media.

What is your typical workday like?

Le Xuan & Sneha: The role of a day-to-day Project Coordinator and Producer differs. Since our main job is to communicate, that’s what our daily tasks are filled with. Some examples are:  

• Answering enquiry emails and sending quotations
• Reaching out to clients & respond to their enquiries 
• Attending meetings with current clients to discuss projects
• Preparing the necessary assets for clients like a list of locations that fit the client’s needs, vendors for equipment, programme rundowns, some graphic materials etc
• Packing for shoots, unpacking afterwards and uploading images to forward to the client.

Fu Ping: My main duties include reviewing and editing various video projects, mostly focusing on the commercial side of them. An example of the timeline would be: 

• Reviewing footage
• Performing basic cuts & arrangements
• Incorporating visual and audio effects
• Colour correction and grading, but all these are just for the first draft. 

Following that, I await the clients’ requests for amendments and minor changes which go through multiple drafts before the final version lays foot at the client’s door.

Kasper: My typical work day as a videographer varies, on days that I have shoots, I pack the equipment the day before, & proceed to the film location to set up the following day. An example would be a static-camera shoot using the UX 180 camera set up. A static camera shoot normally takes place to record conferences, discussion panels or even performances.

As you progress throughout the weeks of your internship, you might have to take charge of these static-camera shoots by yourself, hence, it is vital for you to spend the time to familiarise yourself with handling the various equipment from video to sound on days when there is no upcoming shoots, so you will gain the ability to troubleshoot problems yourself when they arise. Doing it alone might be daunting at first but you will get there just like I did!

Do you get to go out of the office? If yes, what do you do there?

Le Xuan & Sneha: The role of a Project Coordinator and Producer are similar outside of the office, especially for events.

We are able to experience things like:

• Going on-site recces
• Packing, travelling, setting up, rehearsing
• Running the actual event
• Assisting our crew whenever needed
• Be the point of contact & communicate with the client(s) and vendors
• Be the projectionist who displays visuals during live streams.

Fu Ping: Sadly, I couldn’t go out on shoots during my internship stint. But fret not because you might get to work on projects that allow you to go on-site to edit for projects which require a fast turnover or even help out as a production crew; I believe you shouldn’t pass up such opportunities and should do your best to ask for and pursue them whenever possible.

Kasper: As my role suggests, when there are shoots, I am always on the go! The location of the shoot really varies, I was able to visit several interesting places like the Victoria Concert Hall, a shipyard & even Google’s office! These places were amusing to me when I first stepped into them as they are not open to the public on a regular basis, so you get special access to what the public eye cannot see. Besides that, shoots can also take place in the office studio like when the green screen is needed. 

Moreover, when I am at the shoot location I perform tasks such as:

• Deciding on the final camera position before setting up
• Setting up all the necessary filming equipment including audio
• Taping down the wires to prevent trip hazard
• Organising the equipment neatly to a corner after setting up
• Tearing down of the entire set up after filming

What kind of projects do you get to work on?

Le Xuan & Sneha: We handle event projects such as event photography & videography and photo booths. Other times, we are involved in live stream projects and video production.

For events, we are tasked as assistants to the camera crew to support them throughout the entire duration. We are also usually the point of contact for clients. Informing them when we arrive for setup or teardown, as well as liaising with them onsite should there be any special requests or arrangements.

Meanwhile, for live streams and productions, in addition to the tasks mentioned for events, we also take care of the crew (and talents if any) at the venue/on set. Simple tasks like running errands, taking care of their meals and making sure that everything is on schedule.

Fu Ping: The bulk of the projects that I receive are event highlights, short-form videos for social media, and multi-cam recording edits. These projects are diverse in their nature and offer me a great opportunity to showcase my skills and learn new ones along the way.

For photography projects, I mainly function as a Static Photographer for Instant Print events. To succeed in this role, I had to be proficient in understanding the workflow of the printing software on the laptop, alongside the shortcuts key to ensure efficient printing. On top of that, I equipped myself with troubleshooting skills by seeking advice days prior to the event, & that allowed me to rectify problems like when the printer’s gel tears amidst printing. 

As for the photography equipment, a basic understanding of how to operate a photo DSLR camera coupled with the concept of how to bounce light using the Godox AD200 flash & an umbrella reflector would help you to complete the puzzle.

What do you do during off-peak seasons?

Some links to our most viral TikTok videos:

• our coworker fell asleep during lunch

• that one friend who eats damn slow

• disco disco   

Sneha: I sometimes help to find templates or example videos for our TikTok account, like commonly used meme sounds. Often, interns get featured in them too, which is a fun way to learn social media content creation. There are times where the client requests for photo prints with sleeves, and we help to sort and arrange them. During the down times, I’ve helped the photographers pick out pictures of all the employees from the company shoot. 

Fu Ping: As a video editor, my responsibilities not only include editing the final product, but also ensuring that all raw footage from shoots is properly backed up and stored for future use. Additionally, I have experience creating short, visually engaging photo-reel style videos for social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. These types of projects are a valuable addition to the services that we offer to our clients, providing them with a wider range of options for their content needs.

Kasper: During lull periods when there are lesser shoots, I create SOP on topics which I find would be helpful, and they are added into the onboarding slides. One such example is when I pieced together various methods of how a person undertaking the role of a Soundman can mic up a talent according to the outfit they are wearing. This is also supported by step-by-step visual examples which would definitely benefit the future batch of interns in absorbing the concept of sound with ease.

How do you handle conflicts or challenges that arise during the production process?

Le Xuan: If there is one thing that I have learned from school that is highly applicable during my internship, it is to always have a plan B ready. It is recommended to always plan for any ‘what-ifs’ situations before the project actually commences.

Of course, there are many other problems that might slip from our minds. Hence in that moment, it is important to think rationally and discuss with the team on how to recover from it. 

Sneha: Challenges are a natural part of any process, but how you adapt to them and what you learn from them is more important. 

One of the challenges I faced was multitasking during one of my Live Stream events. It was a Christmas Concert at a church, and I was the projectionist for it. When I arrived, I thought there would be a projectionist from the church, and I also didn’t know that they had videos to play. My job suddenly turned into being the projectionist and displaying the videos and lyrics for hymns on all the monitors and projectors at the church. I found this to be quite challenging as the programme was weaved in with multiple skits, preaches, and songs. I had to adapt to this by familiarising myself with the programme rundown and staying alert to the event director’s commands.

Another challenge of mine was that I sprained my back on the first day of my first video production shoot in the company. I couldn’t leave right away because we had a tight schedule and were short on manpower, so I had to do my job. I sustained the day with a sprain-numbing spray, which taught me the importance of always carrying medicine.

Fu Ping: I sometimes encounter unexpected issues when editing, such as missing footage or audio. When these situations arise, I would approach the situation by first looking for any possible substitutions or alternatives. I recall working on a project where there was construction noise playing during a presentation and the client requested that the sound be removed. Despite my efforts, the sound was still present and audible despite the use of EQ and the DeNoise plugin. I even consulted with colleagues and friends from school, but the problem persists. Even though I informed the client that the problem was not completely resolved, I did my best to mitigate its impact. I believe that it’s not professional to simply say no to clients and it’s important to always strive to find a solution or an alternative that can solve the problem.

Kasper: I believe the key to resolving conflict or challenges that arise during production is determined by your ability to stay calm. I remain my composure as I feel it will help you to see the situation objectively & think about solutions swiftly & decisively.

I also like to be meticulous & during pre packs of camera & audio equipment, I would bring along extra equipment when it is possible to do so like extra sets of batteries. As we are running on power, I also like to test the charger, power extension & the camera beforehand. Although this habit may seem like a hassle at times, however, the situation would become more dire if you only find out that the equipment is not working at the film location. This would also significantly reduce any unnecessary stress.

Favourite or most memorable project?

Le Xuan: For me, it would have to be on the set of a production. I have always wanted to experience being on set and so when I got the opportunity to help out, I was thrilled! This was very new to me as I had never got a chance to practice anything similar during my time in school. I was assigned to be in charge of the wardrobe and as well as assisting the PA. The shoot was pretty tiring even for me with a smaller role, but it was a fruitful experience as the end result of the video came out great. The whole process from pre to post-production was an eye-opening experience for me, I would definitely love to try out another similar project in the future.

Sneha: My favourite project was the Asia Conference, a hybrid livestream held by one of the largest spirits and wine businesses. It was my first big project and I enjoyed the process from the start to finish. The conference was about the Brown Forman product market in Asia, and while I enjoyed being the live streaming assistant, I also enjoyed their conference as it was a kind of event I never expected to attend. My favourite part was being in-charge of the location, as it made me feel quite important and fulfilled.

Fu Ping: I felt that my favourite project that I have worked on was a birthday celebration held at a social club at Intercontinental Singapore. I really like the disco themed party and the footage that came back really delivered the mood and vibe of the party which I really enjoyed. This was when I realised I had to do justice to the party by putting in more effort for the edit and I felt that the final edit turned out nicely.

Kasper: One of my most memorable moments was during a narrative shoot about a Dad who lost his sight due to diabetes. It was a refreshing shoot for me personally as the context of the shoot was different from the corporate shoot which I am usually involved in. The shoot spanned over 3 days & although the filming process was challenging as I undertook a role as a soundman which is not my forte, it was fulfilling to see how the story progressed. Furthermore, I was able to observe firsthand how it was possible for a short film to be shot in a non-chronological order in order to cater to the differing schedule of the cast & location.

Which skill or knowledge you’ve learnt in school was the most relevant during your internship?

Le Xuan: The school has taught me many useful skills other than event-related topics. What I found was an important skill pertaining to my job scope has to be customer relationship management. It may seem like something that is common sense but it is actually more important than one thinks. The way we communicate with clients and our choice of words can affect how a project may go. 

Sneha: Resilience is something important that school taught me, which helped me during my internship. The timeline for modules and projects is really tight and always hard to balance, but in the working world, you may be expected to juggle multiple topics at the same time. Being resilient allows you to push through tough times and quickly recover from setbacks. The more challenges you go through, the more resilience you’ll build as it’ll put you through quick-thinking situations.

Fu Ping: The process of video editing is not a one-man team, it is important for me to be able to take feedback from other team members and incorporate it into my work and also to learn how to communicate and collaborate with others helped me to work more efficiently and effectively. Learning the basic skill of editing and its fundamentals prior to my internship allowed me to assimilate into my role at Vivid Media as a video editor. Understanding the technical aspects of the editing process, such as using editing software, creating a workflow, and understanding the different stages of the editing process, allowed me to effectively contribute to the team and understand the work that is being done. 

Kasper: I would say being adaptable is one of the skills that is most relevant during my internship. Although I am a videographer intern, I am exposed to other areas such as photography projects & also tasked to be a soundman on multiple shoots. These two areas were not my forte in school. However, as I am pursuing a Diploma in Media Production & Design, the situation I faced in school is similar as I have to juggle both production & design skills concurrently. Therefore, I was able to adapt to the different skill sets required within a short span of time. Being adaptable is also one of the most transferable skills which can be applied to many situations, hence I feel it would be a useful skill to pick up.

Any tips or advice you would like to give to the future batch of interns joining Vivid Media?

Le Xuan: For me, it would have to be learning and moving on from your mistakes. It is almost impossible to not make any as we are all humans after all. However, it is not wise to keep making the same mistakes because you might lose the trust of the team due to your sense of irresponsibility. Don’t dwell too much on it either as you cannot change the past. Just remember it and move on, redeem yourself by proving to others that you are capable of handling your own work and that you too can be a reliable team player.
Another piece of advice would have to be to ask questions. Ask when in doubt and never assume, as this would only cause miscommunications or misunderstandings. Don’t be afraid to clear up any uncertainties you may have. Remember, an internship is a time for you to learn as much as you can!

Sneha: Stay proactive and take initiative. If it’s emails, don’t keep them waiting, and if it’s tasks, best for them to get done quickly. If you feel lost and overwhelmed in the fast-paced environment, just go back to the foundation and recall what needs to be done and check if you can help with things within your capability. I understand that sometimes we freeze because everyone else is moving too fast and you don’t know how to help, even if you want to but there are small but important things that you can help with. Don’t hesitate and ask your team when you’re in doubt. They would guide you on what else can be done : )

You got this, don’t worry! Just enjoy the process 😀

Fu Ping: Your internship is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, learn about the company culture, and gain a deeper understanding of the industry. To make the most of your internship, it is important to ask questions, be proactive, and take initiative by working on different tasks and projects in different departments. By doing so, you will gain a wider perspective on the company and develop a diverse set of skills, which can be highly valuable for your future career. My last tip would be for you to take advantage of the opportunity to meet and talk to people in the industry. Building professional relationships can be valuable both during and after your internship. I wish you all the best for your media internship in the future!

Kasper: My tip would be knowing how to see things objectively & logically. There are numerous components to take note of in the media production field, hence, in this nature of work problems are often inevitable. At times problems do arise midway during shoot which could throw you off rhythm & make the situation tense & stressful. This could also be accompanied with disputes between the people you are working with. However, being able to look at the bigger picture objectively & react logically such as offering solutions instead of faulting is the best way to ensure the best outcome for yourself & the project.

Conclusion

An internship at Vivid Media is a fulfilling experience that will expose you to many different people and scenarios. Even though it is short, with you only being here for a handful of months, it’s still sufficient for you to take away enough knowledge and skills. Be open to trying new things when given the chance and have a positive attitude towards learning everything in front of you. With that, you will fit right in! 

We hope that this article has given you a bit more insight into what we do if you are considering joining, or have already joined but are new to Vivid Media. We wish you all the best for your time here 🙂