Welcome to the first episode of our exciting new series, “Take One! with Visual PR Productions”. In this first part of the debut episode, titled “From Blackboard to Backlight", we meet our very own lead video editor and producer, Tom Cotton, who shares his incredible career journey from the classroom to the production studio. This conversational and unscripted episode captures authentic insights into the stories behind a member of our team, their work, and the creative process that defines what we offer our clients. Episode one sets the tone for the series to follow, engaging, informative, and always rooted in authenticity.
In this episode, we not only introduce the ethos behind Visual PR’s video content but also put the spotlight on Tom’s unique transition from a career in education to one in video production. It’s a story of passion, adaptability, and a commitment to storytelling values that mirror everything we produce. Let’s explore three key takeaways from this inspiring first episode.
Tom spent over a decade in education, progressing from teaching assistant to Head of Computer Science. However, it was during the pandemic that his passion for video production truly took root. As remote learning became a necessity, Tom played a key role not just in delivering online classes but also in supporting fellow educators moving to digital platforms. His technical skills, combined with his natural comfort in front of a camera, enabled him to train colleagues, manage Google Classroom systems and create weekly assemblies and educational videos. The experience ignited his enthusiasm for storytelling through video, particularly the ability to share those unique, joyful moments within education that parents and the wider community rarely see.
What’s evident in Tom’s story is not just a career shift but a deliberate investment in himself. With a newborn daughter and approaching 30, he made the brave decision to return to college alongside younger students to upskill professionally. Taking on a full-time course in media production at Swindon College (now Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of Technology), Tom was one of the eldest in class but quickly turned that into an advantage. His prior experience, maturity, and technical understanding allowed him to exchange knowledge with peers and contribute to group work in a meaningful way.
This wasn’t a case of dabbling in a new interest; Tom immersed himself in learning relevant software like Adobe Premiere Pro and sought to ensure everything he learned was aligned with what industry professionals were using. His focus was clear: he wanted to produce meaningful video content that tells engaging stories, whether about people, organisations, or products.
Tom's determination and adaptability ultimately led him to Visual PR Productions, where he’s now an integral part of our creative team. His journey is a perfect example of how following your passion, even when it means making tough decisions like leaving a stable career, can open up new opportunities.
In this episode, listeners also get a behind-the-scenes look at how we operate at Visual PR. We produce content using a multi-camera setup, live-switching systems, and clever editing that allows for authenticity while ensuring content is versatile enough to be repurposed across platforms. Tom breaks down the details of the production, including the value of recording every angle, live-switching, and post-production, all of which contribute to broadcast-quality social media clips and full-length episodes.
The discussion touches on how important it is to repurpose video content efficiently and to maintain consistency in visual identity using client-specific logos and backgrounds. Whether it’s for training content, episodic podcasts, client storytelling, or promotional material, our team with Tom at the desk crafts content that connects and converts.
“From Blackboard to Backlight” is more than an introduction to a team member; it’s a testament to following one’s passion, applying transferable skills, and the importance of authenticity in video storytelling. The episode captures the essence of what we believe in at Visual PR Productions: engaging conversation-led content that sparks curiosity and celebrates our clients’ journeys.
Tom’s story is proof that with the right mindset and a willingness to evolve, a career pivot can lead to thriving in an entirely new sphere, doing work that feels impactful and rewarding.
Interested in hearing the full story? Watch the complete episode of Take One! with Visual PR Productions – “From Blackboard to Backlight” to discover more about Tom’s journey, our approach to producing high-impact video content, and why it’s about blooming in time, finally doing for ourselves what we’ve successfully done for so many others.
→ Watch the full episode here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PsDQ-VQp8w and step further into the world of Visual PR Productions.
Interested in professional video storytelling? Get in touch with Visual PR Productions to see how we can help bring your ideas to life.