In this episode of the Hard Copy Media Podcast, Colton sits down with Arizona-based camera operator Jay Brodeur to unpack what it really looks like to build a career behind the camera—and when it’s time to pivot.

Jay shares his unconventional journey into filmmaking, from shooting church videos and weddings in middle school to navigating freelance burnout, turning down low-budget clients, and ultimately going all-in as a full-time camera operator. Together, they break down the realities of working on set, what makes a great DP, and how better communication and preparation can dramatically improve productions.

This episode covers:

• How Jay got started in film at a young age
• Making the leap from a full-time job to freelancing
• Why low-budget clients often create the most stress
• Red flags and green flags when working with DPs
• Why shot lists and clear direction matter on set
• How burnout leads creatives to specialize
• On-set efficiency, teamwork, and leadership
• Why “that’s not my job” can hurt a production
• Developing taste, style, and creative instincts

Whether you’re a filmmaker, camera operator, DP, producer, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation offers honest insight into the business, culture, and collaboration that shape successful careers in film and media.

Subscribe to the Hard Copy Media Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more honest conversations about filmmaking, creativity, and building a sustainable career in media.

00:00 – Welcome & Introducing Jay Brodeur
01:00 – How Jay Got Started in Filmmaking
02:30 – Shooting Weddings in Middle School
04:00 – Film School, COVID & Career Detours
05:40 – Quitting a Day Job to Freelance
07:00 – The Reality of Low-Budget Clients
09:30 – Burnout & Letting Clients Go
11:00 – Pivoting to Full-Time Camera Operating
13:00 – What a Camera Operator Actually Does
15:30 – Teamwork Inside the Camera Department
18:00 – Red Flags & Green Flags in a DP
21:00 – Why Shot Lists Matter
24:00 – Learning From Mistakes on Set
27:00 – Efficiency, Prep & Time Management
29:00 – Multi-Cam Setups for Interviews
32:00 – Gear Matters (And Why)
34:00 – “That’s Not My Job” Hot Take
37:00 – Collaboration on Small vs Big Sets
39:00 – Developing Creative Taste & Style
41:30 – Where to Find Jay & Closing Thoughts

In this solo episode of the Hard Copy Media Podcast, Colton breaks down why creative problem solving is the most valuable skill a modern creative professional can develop—and why it matters more than gear, budgets, or perfect conditions.

Using the classic TV show MacGyver as a framework, this episode explores how limitations fuel creativity and why clients don’t pay for cameras or lenses—they pay for results. From faking expensive crane shots to solving production challenges with whatever tools are on hand, Colton explains how learning to “MacGyver” solutions is what separates average creatives from indispensable ones.

This episode covers:

• Why creative problem solving beats gear obsession
• How limitations actually unlock better ideas
• Why clients care about outcomes, not equipment
• How to reframe “I can’t” into “How can I?”
• Using unconventional tools to achieve high-end results
• Why this mindset leads to repeat clients and referrals

If you’re a filmmaker, videographer, photographer, or creative professional who’s ever felt limited by budget, gear, or resources—this episode is your reminder that creativity under pressure is the real superpower.

Subscribe to the Hard Copy Media Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more honest conversations about creativity, storytelling, and building a sustainable creative career.

Subscribe to the Hard Copy Media Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more honest conversations about creativity, storytelling, and building a sustainable creative career.

#CreativeProblemSolving #FilmmakingLife #HardCopyMedia

00:00 – Welcome Back to the Podcast

01:00 – Why Creative Storytelling Is Problem Solving

02:10 – The MacGyver Mindset Explained

03:40 – Why Clients Ask for Big Ideas With Small Budgets

05:10 – Delivering Big Results Without Big Gear

06:45 – Why Clients Care About Outcomes, Not Equipment

08:20 – Flipping “I Can’t” Into “How Can I?”

10:00 – Limitation Breeds Creativity

12:40 – Using the Wrong Tool the Right Way

15:30 – Creative Camera Movement & Editing Tricks

18:20 – Why Gear Matters (But Not How You Think)

21:30 – Becoming Indispensable to Clients

24:00 – Shitty Rigs & Creative Inspiration

26:40 – Modern Tools That Enable Creative Solutions

29:10 – Why This Skill Gets You Rehired

31:30 – Final Thoughts: Creativity as a Career Advantage

33:40 – Subscribe & Closing

In this solo episode of the Hard Copy Media Podcast, Colton breaks down one of the most underutilized—but powerful—content strategies available today: content atomization.

Instead of constantly chasing new ideas, content atomization focuses on creating one strong long-form “hero” asset and strategically breaking it down into dozens of smaller pieces across platforms. From podcasts and YouTube videos to blogs, newsletters, quote cards, and social clips, this episode explains how to maximize reach, ROI, and relevance without burning out.

Colton covers:

• What content atomization actually is (and what it’s not)
• How to turn one podcast or video into blogs, emails, and social clips
• Why long-form content is still the foundation of great marketing
• How AI tools can support (not replace) real creativity
• How busy entrepreneurs can batch content efficiently
• Why meeting your audience where they consume content matters
• How content optimization improves long-term SEO and visibility

Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, creative director, or content creator, this episode offers a practical roadmap for building a sustainable, scalable content system that works across platforms—without chasing algorithms or trends.

Subscribe to the Hard Copy Media Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts for more insights on content strategy, creativity, and building a modern media business.

#ContentStrategy #VideoMarketing #HardCopyMedia

00:00 – Welcome & Solo Episode Introduction

01:00 – Why Content Optimization Matters

02:10 – What Is Content Atomization?

03:30 – Turning One Podcast Into Many Assets

05:20 – Blogs, Transcripts & Written SEO

07:00 – Social Clips, Shorts & Reels Strategy

08:40 – Batch Content for Busy Entrepreneurs

10:15 – Why Long-Form Content Still Wins

12:00 – AI Tools: Helpful, Not a Replacement

14:20 – Meeting Your Audience Where They Consume

16:30 – Measuring Content Performance Across Platforms

18:45 – Maximizing ROI From One Hero Asset

20:40 – Content Strategy vs Chasing Virality

22:15 – Creating With Intention & Clear Goals

24:10 – How Hard Copy Media Uses Atomization

26:00 – Merch, Community & Creative Projects

27:40 – Building Your Own Content Roadmap

29:40 – Final Thoughts on Content Optimization

31:00 – Subscribe, Engage & Closing