Managing automated video production workflows is like being the conductor of a digital symphony. Machines do most of the work, but someone still needs to guide the show. That someone needs a mix of technical know-how, creativity, and people skills.
Let’s look at the key skills you need to master this high-tech orchestra.
1. Tech Savvy is a Must
If you’re afraid of buttons, screens, or the word “automation,” this might not be your gig. Automated video production tools are powerful, but they come with settings, software updates, and fancy dashboards. You don’t need to be a coder, but you should be comfortable navigating cloud platforms, APIs, and video editing tools.
- Know your tools – Whether it’s Adobe Premiere automation scripts or cloud-based platforms like Frame.io or Wipster.
- Understand formats – MP4s, MOVs, 4K exports, frame rates — it all matters.
- Be ready to troubleshoot – Sometimes the robots need a reboot.
2. Project Management Superpowers
Automated does not mean “set it and forget it.” Keeping videos moving from idea to delivery takes planning. That’s where project management skills step in.
You’ll juggle:
- Timelines – Making sure videos land on time.
- Tasks – Assigning the right jobs to team members or systems.
- Checkpoints – Reviewing progress at each stage of the workflow.
If you’re great at organizing your vacation down to the hour — congrats, this skill is for you!
3. Sharp Eye for Detail
Automation doesn’t mean perfection. You need to catch errors before your audience does. This means spotting a frame glitch, a typo in text overlays, or seeing that a thumbnail looks more like a blurry pancake than a video preview.
Being detail-oriented helps you:
- Maintain quality – Even bots need quality control.
- Ensure consistency – Branding, color grading, animations should all match.
- Avoid disasters – Like sending out a draft instead of the final cut.
4. Communication Skills
You’ll often work with a mix of creators, marketers, and devs. Everyone needs to be on the same page — even if they work in different time zones or speak different “technical languages.”
Clear communication helps you:
- Coordinate efforts – Everyone knows what comes next.
- Explain processes – Help others understand what the automation is doing.
- Give feedback – So your team keeps improving with each video.
5. Creativity with a Side of Strategy
Automation handles the “how,” but you decide the “what.” You still need to make smart creative decisions. What story does the video tell? What’s the goal — engagement, leads, sales?
This means having:
- Storytelling skills – Even short clips need a beginning, middle, and end.
- Audience awareness – Know who will watch and what they care about.
- Data smarts – Use performance metrics to adjust future videos.
6. Familiarity with Automation Tools
You don’t have to build the tools yourself, but you should know how to use them — and when not to use them.
Popular tools to explore:
- Zapier or Make – For connecting video processes with other apps.
- Descript or Pictory – For automated editing or video creation from text.
- FFmpeg – For batch processing and file conversions.
Learning these tools gives you power. The more fluent you are in your tech toolbox, the easier it is to scale your video efforts without breaking a sweat.
7. Flexibility and Problem-Solving
Even with automation, things don’t always go according to plan. Files fail, render queues crash, or AI voices start sounding like angry robots. Staying calm and solving problems on the fly is a super skill.
This skill helps you:
- Think on your feet – When something breaks, you’ll fix it fast.
- Adapt – Every workflow will be unique. You’ll need to tweak and test constantly.
The Final Cut
Automated video production is exciting, efficient, and super smart. But it still needs a human touch. Your job is to blend the power of machines with the magic of storytelling.
With the right mix of tech skills, creativity, and project management smarts, you can turn complex workflows into cinematic masterpieces — all at lightning speed!
Lights, camera… automation!