Categories: Video

Video Creator Spotlight – Estelle Caswell – Adult Daydreamer

Welcome to the Video Creator Spotlight of the month!

This series of interviews highlights video creators and their work. I’ve personally learned most of what I know how to do by talking to other people and learning from them. The Video Creator Spotlight is my way of sharing other people’s stories with you in hopes that they inspire you to make better videos. If you or someone you know would like to be featured in the Video Creator Spotlight, please send me an email at videoschoolonline@gmail.com.

Now on to the interview!

Who is Estelle Caswell?

I’m an adult who daydreams.

How did you get interested in video creation?

I grew up on the Gulf Coast of Alabama so there wasn’t a lot video production exposure per se. However, my mom is an interior designer and my dad is an architect so I definitely got the artistic gene from them. I just decided to pursue creativity in a different way. Growing up I always created little short films with my cousins and had a blast doing it. It all sort of snowballed from that passion.

What is your favorite part about video making?

My favorite part about video making is the collaboration of a lot of different skill sets to execute a single idea or vision. I think that’s really a magical thing that you don’t see in a lot of other creative professions.
Certainly a lot of different industries that might not have depended so heavily on visual communication in the past are realizing the importance that storytelling plays in elevating a brand or spreading a message. I work with a lot of huge companies that are just now realizing the importance of video in grassroots communication. It all has to do with share-ability.
I’ve always been most attracted to editing, I really like the problem solving aspects of post-production. Most editors probably hate the phrase “We’ll fix it in post”, but I thrive on that sort of challenge.
In the past year, I’ve been the go to person at my company for motion graphics. I think motion graphics has really combined my love for graphic design and storytelling.

Do you have a video that I can share on the blog?

One campaign that i’m working on this year is centered around promoting the importance of learning foreign languages in the United States. The video was the first creative deliverable for this campaign and I was the creative director on the motion graphic from start to finish. I helped shape the script with our copywriter. I designed and animated the video, and directed the music and narration. It was a very short turn around… I think 2 weeks from start to finish. Right now our client is fundraising, so there’s no official launch date for the whole campaign, but I’m really excited to see how people react to the video and the message.

What has it been like navigating the professional video world?

I quickly learned in film school that I didn’t enjoy working on set as much as I did sitting around a table brainstorming ideas or working long hours in an editing suite. I think that exposes the introvert in me. After graduation I had my mind set on working in a creative agency or studio and was offered my first job as a junior editor exactly one year to the day of my college graduation. During that year of unemployment I was constantly creating personal projects and absorbing as much as I could on my own. For instance, I was working as a barista at an independent coffee roaster and decided to create logos for each of our coffee blends. It was completely self started, but helped me flex my creative muscles and ultimately was a lot of fun.

Always try to see personal projects through to the end, even if they don’t turn out how you want.

Be selective about the creative work you put online and in your portfolio.

Really try to develop your own style and be consistent with it.

Give our readers one tip for making better videos.

There’s a great quote from Ira Glass that was illustrated in the video linked below and I think it sums up exactly what I would say.

How can people find you and your work?

Here’s my personal vimeo page, although most of my current projects are through work and are confidential. We’re currently working on developing a website and it will be up soon!

Twitter: @estellecaswell

Thank you for taking the time to tell your story to the Video School Online audience. We appreciate your tips and wish you best of luck in your video making career.

Please let us know what you thought of Paul story below. If you have any questions or comments, the comment section below is the place to do so.

Until next time,
Phil

Phil Ebiner

My passion is inspiring people through online courses. I love learning new skills, and since 2012 have been teaching people like you everything I know. Through my online learning business, Video School Online, I create courses that teach you how to become the better version of yourself with all kinds of skills.