We’re living through a time where production tech is moving ridiculously fast. Broadcast cameras can now practically see in pitch darkness, which is great, because I’ve spent too many nights struggling to track down wildlife that clearly didn't want to be filmed, while getting eaten alive by leeches. Gross. Drones now autotrack humans, cars, bikes and more with terrifying accuracy, and generative AI promises it can script, generate vision, edit, and colour grade an entire video before you’ve had time to scratch your head.
Don't get me wrong, AI can be a heap of fun and it can also be a really useful tool. I used it to spell and grammar check this post! I recently edited a video for a client that was about 95% AI, a hilarious conference introduction video that would have been completely impossible to shoot in real life. But while AI absurdism has its place and can be very funny, when it comes to real-world human stories, a lot of fully AI-generated content can feel completely soulless. Because it is!
It can generate a face, but it doesn't know what compassion feels like. AI can render a realistic background, but it has NO clue what it’s like to hold your breath as you follow a subject to the hospital in an emergency on dark remote roads, share a quiet laugh with a 103-year-old celebrating her 80th anniversary, or sit with a family who has just lost their only daughter to cancer.
When you strip away all the flashy gear, the 4K, 6K, 8K, everything-K sensors, and the epic camera rigs with a million arms and attachments, EMPATHY is the only thing that turns raw vision into a video people actually give a stuff about and wholly connect with.
So I was thinking what are human traits AI will never replicate on set, or at least I hope it won’t!
After way way way too long shooting and producing feature stories for Network 10’s The Project, working from crisis zones worldwide, and field-producing stories across Australia and the world, winning awards (losing others), I can guarantee you that nobody ever remembers the gear, nor do they even care! They remember how you made them feel!
This is what I think is important! I’ll stick to 3 things, so you don’t fall asleep.
1. Reading the Room (and Knowing When to Lower the Camera or Even Button Off!) When someone is thrust into the spotlight on what can be the (or one of the) worst day/s of their life, the last thing they need is someone shoving a massive camera kit in their face and tweaking technical settings, fixing this light or that light, making sure the vase in the back is rotated the best way it can be. Meh, they need an actual human being who listens. Real compassion is knowing when to lower the camera, take a breath, and make sure a vulnerable interview subject feels safe, heard, and respected before you even think about pressing record. Most of the time I don’t even knock on their door with my camera kit with me, it can stay in the car for 5, 10, however many minutes, most the time IT CAN WAIT. Even during a record, sometimes it’s important to know when to have a break, and offer a glass of water, a hug, or a shoulder to cry on. People matter, and you’ll get better vision and soundbites from people who feel valued and respected.
2. Embracing the Awkward Pauses AI processes data quicker than ever, it’s wild, I still can’t fathom it, but good storytelling needs room to breathe. It takes human intuition to notice the little things, a shaking hand, a shift in eye contact, or a long, heavy pause. Some of the most powerful soundbites I’ve ever recorded came from simply shutting up during the quiet seconds after a question was asked. Don’t be scared of silence, I know it can be awkward as hell, but embrace it!
3. Deep Respect, Sensitivity, and Cultural Judgment You can't code cultural respect or real-time adaptability into a software update, you just have to show up, completely drop the ego, and pay attention. When working in remote Aboriginal communities across Australia, you quickly learn that sensitivity isn't just a box you click on a form, trust and respect have to be earned through patience, listening, and meeting people where they are at.
The same goes for shooting abroad. Lugging heavy kit bags through international customs, navigating language barriers, and working in unfamiliar environments in less than ideal conditions is exhausting work. But whether you're in a global news hub or a small country town, the key is showing up with genuine warmth, an open heart, and a genuine desire to understand the people in front of your camera.
What You're Actually Paying For
When networks, brands, or agencies hire a shooter or field producer, they aren't just paying for someone who knows which buttons to push and how to make it look and sound excellent. They’re paying for trust on both sides of the lens:
For the subject: The comfort of knowing their story is in safe hands with someone who genuinely cares and isn't there to exploit them.
For the client: The peace of mind that your crew can drop into literally any situation, from chaotic current affairs to sensitive documentaries and bring back vision or a story that hits home emotionally.
Technology will keep getting faster, lighter, smarter and more accessible to all levels of creators, it’s now cheaper than ever to produce really good looking content. But as long as stories are made by humans, for humans, empathy is still the best tool we have in the kit.
If you’re looking for an experienced Sydney camera operator, field producer, or director who knows how to capture the heart of your story (and keep things low-stress on set and even fun)? Drop me an email at hi@anthonyhawwa.com