Solo iPhone to Full Video Team: Scaling Your Video Strategy for Every Budget
Date: 7/21/2026
Time: 10 - 11 AM
Room: Grand Ballroom D (Floor 1)
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.
TACTICS–Tactics, activities and tools in communications
Session Description
In an era where "video is king," many school communications professionals feel stuck between two extremes: the pressure to produce daily content and the fear that they lack the professional skills or staff to do it well. This Skill Session bridges that gap.
Modern school PR is no longer just about press releases; it is about visual brand management. This session addresses a critical pain point: resource disparity. By featuring both a district practitioner and a service center expert, we provide a comprehensive view applicable to all attendees, regardless of their district's location or budget.
Join Janet Mann (Zionsville Community Schools) and Paul Weller (Central Indiana Educational Service Center) for a deep dive into the spectrum of school video production. Whether you are a "one-man band" juggling a smartphone and a tripod or a communications director looking to manage a full-scale production team, this session provides a roadmap.
Janet will share the secrets of the high-speed, high-impact "solo" creator—focusing on mobile-first workflows, low-cost gear, and the art of daily content creation. Paul will then advance the discussion, discussing professional lighting, AI-integrated editing, and how to effectively manage freelance teams or internal crews. Attendees will leave with a tiered strategy to audit their current resources and immediate steps to level up their visual storytelling, regardless of their starting point.
Presenter(s)
Paul Weller
Director of Media Services
Central Indiana Educational Service Center
Paul Weller is an award-winning education-focused video producer with over a decade of experience. He focuses on creating high-impact digital content for schools and nonprofits. As Director of Media Services at the Central Indiana Educational Service Center, he leads a team that produces more than 100 videos annually, overseeing the entire production cycle from pre-planning to delivery. Paul’s expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, on-location filming, and storytelling ensures each project captures both informational clarity and emotional resonance. His deep understanding of educational audiences helps amplify the work of public education. With his limited free time, due to his lovely but wild sons, he enjoys being outside and tinkering in the garage. LinkedIn Profile
Janet Mann
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
Zionsville Community Schools
Janet Mann is a communications and marketing leader with nearly three decades of experience, including more than 13 years dedicated to public education. Janet leads the strategic communications and marketing for Zionsville Community Schools aiming to connect the community, celebrate student success, and elevate the brand of public schools overall. Known as a chief storyteller, Janet combines expertise in digital media, visual communication, and narrative strategy to inform, inspire, and build trust. Her background spans roles in corporate communications, media, advertising, and education. Janet has presented nationally on school branding, digital storytelling, superintendent succession, crisis communication, and has served on the Board for the Indiana School Public Relations Association. She uses communications to drive engagement, transparency, and community building. Her work is rooted in the belief that strong schools build strong communities, and that every story told is an opportunity to advance the mission of public education. LinkedIn Profile
Solo iPhone to Full Video Team: Scaling Your Video Strategy for Every Budget
Category
Skill Session - Live lecture, panel discussion or interactive session with time for Q&A. 60-minutes.