I recently had the privilege of collaborating with the National League of Cities on a project titled Love Letters to Local Leadership. This initiative spotlighted four distinguished city leaders, each sharing their insights and experiences about leading their communities. The leaders featured were:
• Jane Castor, Mayor of Tampa, Florida
• Mark Shepherd, Mayor of Clearfield, Utah
• Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Mayor of Jackson, Mississippi
• Tishaura Jones, Mayor of St. Louis, Missouri
Engaging with these leaders provided a rare glimpse into the inner workings of city governance. Beyond the formal interviews, our off-camera conversations delved into personal stories, challenges, and life lessons, enriching the depth of the project and offering a human perspective on leadership.
The Scope
My role was to film four leaders in four different cities. Each story needed to be deeply personal yet consistent in style and tone across locations. Beyond the filming itself, I was responsible for scheduling with each local leader and coordinating with the National League of Cities team, who wanted to attend each shoot and also be involved in asking the interview questions.
That collaboration was valuable, but one lesson learned was that having a dedicated, professional interviewer—someone who could serve as an intermediary between my production team and the client—might have helped the interview process flow more smoothly. Not only could it have made the sessions more efficient, but it could have also improved how easily the final videos could be edited.
A Shift in Production Strategy
One of the biggest surprises was the client’s desire to film nearly everything. While I originally approached the project with a documentary mindset—planning, storyboarding, and shooting for a controlled narrative—it became clear they preferred a more open-ended, all-day coverage style.
This prompted a big technical change: I switched mid-project to using 2TB dual-recording cards on the Sony FX6, which made it much easier to film continuously without worrying about storage. I now highly recommend this for any long-format project. It allows you to stay organized while also maintaining the flexibility to capture unexpected moments.
Logistics, Travel, and Equipment
Some shoots were local, others required flying. For those trips, I got creative with packing. I used a ski case (snow tube) to carry light stands and tripods—something airports are used to handling. My Aputure light, panels, and extra gear fit into a standard large suitcase.
For carry-on, I used my Peter McKinnon Nomatic backpack, which fit my FX6, Sony A1, lenses, drone, laptop, iPad, and chargers. This bag was a lifesaver—compact but high-capacity, and TSA-friendly.
One unique challenge: flying drones in each city. Thankfully, I didn’t encounter any issues, but it reminded me that checking local drone regulations ahead of time is crucial.
Production Setups and Managing Expectations
Setting up a professional video shoot takes time—sometimes 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the location. In this case, the client often wanted to be present during setup, which led to some discomfort. Understandably, they weren’t thrilled with how long it could take, especially without understanding all the moving parts.
In the future, I plan to proactively manage this by offering clients something else meaningful to do during setup—whether it’s reviewing interview questions, scouting for additional B-roll, or prepping social content. That way, they stay engaged without feeling like their time is being wasted. It’s a matter of educating clients in a gentle, respectful way about what goes into creating a high-quality video.
A New Editing Workflow
This project pushed me to develop a new editing process that I now use for all interview-driven videos:
1. Story First (Revision 1)
We send the client the ungraded, unmastered talking head only version. No music. No B-roll. Just the raw story from start to finish. This ensures we lock in the core narrative before diving into the aesthetic details.
2. Visual Polish (Revision 2)
Once the story is approved, we add camera angle changes, B-roll, and music. This helps elevate the piece without shifting the narrative structure.
3. Final Master (Revision 3)
In this phase, we finalize color grading, sound mastering, graphics, animations, and lower thirds. Any last tweaks are made here.
This three-stage process has been a game-changer. It reduces confusion and ensures everyone is aligned at each stage of post-production.
Awards and Strategic Planning
Because this was a video series, it’s eligible for awards like the local Emmys, VIDDIS, Telly Awards, and Lions Awards. If you’re working on a similar project, it’s crucial to track award deadlines early and communicate them with your client—it adds excitement and opens up visibility for both sides.
Premiere Events and Feedback
One thing I wish I’d known earlier: the National League of Cities showcased a trailer for the series at a live event I wasn’t aware of. But there’s another upcoming conference where they’ll be screening the full videos. This time, I plan to be there.
Why? Live screenings are golden opportunities to capture audience reactions, film testimonials, and gather real-time feedback. That kind of insight is rare in video work—and incredibly helpful for refining future projects and boosting your marketing collateral.
Unforeseen Challenges: Hurricane Milton
Our journey took an unexpected turn after completing the Tampa segment with Mayor Jane Castor. Shortly after our filming, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9, 2024, as a Category 3 storm. The hurricane brought devastating winds, heavy rainfall, and significant flooding to the region. Tampa faced substantial impacts, including widespread power outages affecting millions and severe structural damages.
In the aftermath, we collaborated closely with Mayor Castor’s team to capture follow-up footage that documented the city’s resilience and recovery efforts. This experience underscored the unpredictability inherent in documentary filmmaking and the importance of adaptability in the face of unforeseen events.
Final Thoughts
Working on the Love Letters to Local Leadership project was both professionally rewarding and personally enlightening. The opportunity to connect with dedicated city leaders, witness their commitment firsthand, and navigate the challenges that arose during production has left an indelible mark on my approach to storytelling. I extend my deepest gratitude to the National League of Cities and the featured leaders for their openness and collaboration. I look forward to future projects that continue to illuminate the stories of those who shape our communities.
If you’re a video producer working with high-profile clients or tackling interview-based series, I hope this post gives you a few useful ideas to apply on your next shoot.
Until next time—keep creating.
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