Shawn on the State of Video Production Hiring in 2026: Rates, Demand, and What's Next

Every January I try to take stock of where the production hiring market stands. This year, the signals are clearer than they have been in a while — and they are mostly good news for both crew and producers.

Demand Is Up Across the Board

Corporate video production continues to grow as the dominant driver of crew demand. Every company with a marketing budget now has a video strategy, and most of them need professional crew to execute it. The days of "we will just have the intern shoot it on an iPhone" are over for any company that takes its brand seriously.

Sports broadcasting remains the highest-volume segment. NFL, NBA, MLB, college sports — the appetite for live and shoulder content is insatiable. If you are an experienced sports DP or EVS operator, you are in one of the tightest markets in the industry.

In-Demand Roles

• One-man-band DPs — Crew members who can shoot, light, and capture audio independently are commanding premium rates. Clients love the efficiency of a single operator who delivers broadcast-quality content.
• Audio techs with wireless expertise — As remote and location interviews become the norm, audio technicians with reliable wireless systems are booked months in advance in top markets.
• Drone operators — FAA-certified operators with high-end platforms are seeing steadily increasing demand for real estate, events, and corporate campus footage.

Hot Markets

Nashville is the breakout market of 2026. Music industry production, a booming corporate scene, and a lower cost of living than LA or NYC are attracting both crew and clients. Atlanta continues to benefit from Georgia's film incentives. Dallas is quietly becoming a corporate video powerhouse.

What to Watch

AI is not replacing camera operators — but it is changing post-production workflows, which is shifting what clients expect on set. Producers who understand AI-assisted editing are starting to adjust their shoot plans (more coverage, less precise in-camera editing) because they know the edit will be faster. This means more shooting days, shorter edits, and a premium on crew who can deliver volume.

For crew: invest in your gear, complete your profile, and be in the markets where demand is growing. For producers: book early, build preferred lists, and stop low-balling rates — the best crew have options.