Video Production Training Faculty

Video Mastery has the most experienced video production trainers in the country, with over 150 years of production experience between them.

This ensures that you will receive the highest standard of training, interspersed by instructional anecdotes and invaluable tips that can only be shared by someone who has worked extensively within the industry.

Each instructor has a great passion for video production which is reflected in the enthusiastic way they present their training and their desire to ensure the highest standards in the next generation of filmmakers.

As most of our faculty are also active producers, if you ever have a requirement for Video Production, they can provide the assistance you need. You can view their showreels below.

Mike Smith

For the past 30 plus years, Mike has used video storytelling to help clients engage their audience, build trust and, most importantly, give them a persuasive reason to buy. And to put it even more succinctly: he leverages the power of video to energize business growth.
Over 30 years as an ad agency creative director, scriptwriter, video producer and business owner.
Mike has developed multimedia campaigns for clients as diverse as...John Deere, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shields nationwide, Kia, Microsoft, Carl's Jr. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Miller Beer, Walmart, Taco Bell & Butterball Turkey
He writes, produces and directs. He supervises scripting, casting, shooting, editing, motion graphics, 3D animation, augmented reality, virtual reality, special effects and more.
And if you already have video production resources in place, he’ll consult to help make them more cost-efficient, more creative and more productive.
Leveraging video to up-level business growth is his passion. Mike can help take yours to the next level, too.

Todd Yates

Todd's expertise lies in strategic video and internet communications. He helps corporate marketers and brand ambassadors become “communications heroes”, by creating compelling, brand-enhancing media messages for films, television, websites, events, social media, streaming, and mobile.

He runs a results-focused communications and digital media production organization, specializing in delivering strategic, measurable results through our powerful integration of television, mobile and web.

You know how movie distributors struggle to get film premieres to generate big opening weekend box office revenues? He solved that through the strategic use of creative premieres, social media and interactivity to create massive national buzz around a film’s release to create huge opening box office revenues.

Peter Middleton

Peter has produced over 1,300 corporate videos for over 37 years in over 30 countries throughout the world.

Recognising the increasing requirement for corporates and organisations of all sizes to have video production expertise in-house Peter began providing Video Production Masterclasses, over 7-years ago, to training, HR and marketing teams in Lloyds Bank, Argos, NHS, British Library, Bank of Scotland, New Look, Leeds Building Society and Sainsbury’s to name but a few.

He now focusses on producing corporate videos, tv documentaries and video biographies as well as managing VideoMastery.

Rachel Bagley

Rachel is a versatile and accomplished Video Producer, with a strong background in news, digital media, and corporate content creation. Over the course of her career, she has partnered with USA TODAY, CNN, a wide range of local news outlets, and corporate clients across multiple industries to deliver compelling, fast-turnaround content tailored for today’s platforms.

Her expertise lies in packaging news, explainers, social-first stories, and branded media in ways that resonate with modern audiences. Beyond her client work, she brings the same creativity and energy to writing and performing sketch comedy, collaborating with a talented group of writers and performers in Atlanta to produce fresh, original content both onstage and onscreen.

Mike Strauss

Mike Strauss has been creating videos for over 30 years. He is well versed in all aspects of audio and video production. Mike has focused on developing marketing and educational programs for government agencies and school districts.

He helps large companies, small businesses, and public agencies with their video production needs - - producing corporate communications, training and promotional programs.

Mike has also taught video production classes at Rancho Santiago Community College, teaching the basics of camera operation and editing skills and training students in how to best capture larger events with multi-camera production.

Jim Canning

With over 30 years of experience in media, Jim’s passion for content creating began with Turner Broadcasting Systems where he wrote and produced image campaigns for the network’s entertainment and sports brands. He moved to Austin in 1994 to serve creative and managerial roles with the market’s NBC and WB affiliates, working his way up tp Director of On-air Promotion before going freelance in 2007. Today, Jim tells stories for a variety of Fortune 500 companies, ad agencies, and non-profits to create messaging for in-house, web, and broadcast.

Andrew Spratt

Andrew Spratt is a multi-Emmy award winning, Atlanta-based video professional with over 20 years of experience across corporate, broadcast, and branded content. A self-described “video Swiss Army knife,” Andrew brings a rare blend of technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and calm under pressure to every production. His career spans healthcare, logistics, technology, food and beverage, construction, documentaries, and even global entertainment—earning multiple Telly Awards and an Emmy for video editing along the way.

Known for high-quality work, fast turnarounds, and an ability to navigate complex or last-minute challenges, Andrew has produced everything from multi-camera live streams to international corporate shoots, drone cinematography, 360 video, and full post-production workflows. He believes the extra mile in planning and production creates hours saved in post, an approach that has shaped his reputation as a trusted go-to collaborator.

Ian Cone

Ian Cone has worked in the film industry in Atlanta and beyond for more than 20 years, contributing across Camera and Lighting departments on productions of every scale. His passion for filmmaking began early, shooting sketch-comedy videos with friends in high school. He entered the industry right after graduation, working as a camera operator at Atlanta’s Chastain and Lakewood amphitheaters in the late ’90s, capturing multi-cam concert footage for artists ranging from Ludacris and Outkast to Huey Lewis and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more.

After earning a telecommunications degree from the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism, Ian worked at Turner Studios as a production assistant, where he quickly gravitated back toward cinematography and the technical craft of camera and lighting.

Over the years, Ian has built a versatile career spanning corporate, industrial, commercial, and entertainment production—including comedy multicam shoots, feature films, and episodic television. His broad experience gives him a practical, solutions-driven approach to sets of all types and sizes.

Highly skilled in camera operation, lighting, and on-set workflow, Ian excels at helping internal teams elevate their technical capabilities and create efficient, collaborative environments. In recent times he worked as a staff camera operator for Adult Swim’s cutting-edge live stream where he conducted training for interns and new staff members on technical operations of a live streaming studio.

His credits include major productions such as Superman (2025), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, David Cross: Oh Come On, and Eric Andre: Live Off Broadway, Vice News Tonight, and Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta along with a wide range of commercial and industrial projects that demand precision and consistency.

Will Amato

Will Amato is an award winning screenwriter, producer, and owner of Draft Horse Productions in Atlanta, GA. Will recently wrote and executive produced three vertical feature films in 2025. He teaches screenwriting at Emory University and holds a Masters Degree in writing from Kennesaw State University. Will also works as a commercial producer creating engaging content for brands like The Home Depot, Newell Brands, IHG, Walmart, and Hewlett Packard.

The Video Mastery Faculty