Bryan Hahn is the Studio Video Producer at The FADER, a New York-based magazine covering emerging music and lifestyle, and also runs a music label P.S. 4080.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I’ve freelanced as a writer at several music publications for the last six years including Mass Appeal, Red Bull, The Source, and HipHopDX. I realized I was better adept and enjoyed editorial videos with artists so switched and have worked at UnitedMasters and Cinematic TV. I’m now the in-studio video producer for The FADER.
2) What does a typical day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I go through about 50 press releases and pitches for video interviews with talent (musicians, actors, personalities) most of the week and about 100 on Fridays since most popular music still drops on Fridays for ideal Billboard chart consideration.
There are about two videos at any given time that I’m working on with editors to finish from booking talent, doing the interview, and editing the footage with social assets. About 1 – 3 times a week I’ll be shooting with an artist for one of the three series: Would You Rather, Top Five, and Remember That Time. And meetings. Lots of meetings.
I’ll also go to about 3 – 5 live shows or music functions like album release parties and pop-ups after work during the week.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Not really. It really helps to be in the same room as an editor sometimes to make sure an edit goes well. Also I’m expected to conduct all of the interviews to keep a consistent voice. It’s fine with me though since it’s something I enjoy doing, most of the time, and get paid.
4) Do you have any tips, tricks or shortcuts to help you manage your workload and schedule?
Just know your limits. Everyone has a threshold for everything. A lot of people start staying home more after they get comfortable in a field and there’s nothing wrong with that. And find some really good albums that you’ve loved over the years like middle school and high school years. Hold onto those.
5) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
After weekends or whenever you take a break that week, when you go back to work you should feel refreshed and ready to go. It’s those transition periods that people get thrown off by.
6) What do you think are some of the best habits you’ve developed over the years to help you strive for success and balance?
Seeing family and close friends always keeps me in check. They’ll be the first people to tell you when you don’t look so hot. Also be patient and real with yourself, but ready at all times.
7) Are there any books that have helped you improve over the years?
The Big Payback by Dan Charnas really opened my eyes to what hip-hop could really look like in the future based on its wild but relatively short history.
8) What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?
Think about what I did that day before I go to sleep and see what I could’ve done better.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
As Dr. Doback once said in the 2008 Adam McKay film Step Brothers: “The point is, don’t lose your dinosaur.”
Photo credit: Sophie Schieli
If you’d like to have a conversation with us about how you balance the grind, get in touch with us!
