Scaling Up Solo: Travis Peeples' Production Playbook

Your favorite shot might not survive the final cut, and that’s a good thing. We sit down with filmmaker and producer Travis Peeples to explore the real work behind great video: training crews from zero, upgrading underpowered gear with patience, and making hard editorial choices that keep story above ego. Travis’ path runs from university media trucks and ESPN uplinks to Hendrix College’s candlelit choir streams, where he learned to do more with less and preserve the magic of a live moment without getting in the way.

We dig into the craft and the career: how watching top editors log footage and build rough cuts can change the way you shoot; why “read the manual” is a superpower; and how to teach students by matching their natural strengths, graphics for the desk lovers, cameras for the movers. Travis also shares a field guide to gear strategy: invest in lenses, date the bodies, and let your deliverables decide what to buy versus rent. Expect plain talk on ISO vs. gain, variable-aperture zoom pain, and the difference between camcorder “light” and DSLR depth of field. Plus, a candid look at stepping out on your own with Triple Double Productions, navigating nonprofit lunches that turn into referrals, and adjusting to clients who email back on their timeline, not yours.

If you’re starting out, Travis’ advice is both generous and direct: shoot what you love, copy the masters to learn actively, and claim your title as soon as you practice it, especially once you’re paid. Hit play for a grounded, gear-smart, and story-first guide to building a career that scales from gaff tape to directing, from kit lens to cinema glass, and from safe choices to your own voice. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more creators can find it.