How ProductionHUB Helped DP Willie Shaw Land His Dream Shoots in Seattle

When filmmaker and DP Willie Shaw packed up his gear and headed into a week of back-to-back shoots in Seattle, he didn’t expect it to become a milestone chapter in his career. But that’s exactly what happened. Thanks to connections made through ProductionHUB, Willie booked two standout projects that not only showcased his craftsmanship behind the camera, they expanded his network in ways he’d long hoped for.

The first gig came through a listing seeking a “scrappy DP,” which instantly felt like a match made for Willie’s skillset. Living and working on Whidbey Island, he’s used to punching above his weight with a small, tight-knit crew, or even flying solo, capturing event coverage, interviews, and B-roll with ease. The Seattle shoot was no different: a perfect opportunity to bring his versatile, run-and-gun style to a team that appreciated it.

Just days later, ProductionHUB delivered another career-highlight moment: a second camera-operator role for an Amazon shoot at the Seattle Convention Center. Willie didn’t land the main DP position, but he said yes without hesitation, because opportunities to collaborate with new filmmakers, like cam op Peter Garafalo, are exactly what fuel his passion for the craft. With his Sony FX6 and A7S III already in hand, he spent the day capturing the energy of the event, from interviews to dynamic B-roll, all while absorbing new insights from a seasoned team.

For Willie, these weren’t just jobs; they were the type of gigs he dreamt about when he first started. And they’re only the beginning. Through ProductionHUB, he’s building connections, sharpening his skills, and opening the door to even more DP, second cam, and corporate-event opportunities ahead.

PH: How has being a Featured Profile helped you connect with new clients and opportunities?

Willie Shaw: Honestly, it’s been about visibility. I’ve felt for a while that if the right people could just see my work, I’d get hired. The Featured Profile put real eyeballs on my portfolio and built instant trust. It’s connected me with clients I never would’ve imagined, and it’s validated the work my team and I are doing.

PH: What was your experience like bidding and communicating with clients through ProductionHUB? Anything stand out?

Willie Shaw: It’s seamless. When that “new qualified lead” notification hits, I can jump in fast. The site flow and emails work exactly as they should—no tech hiccups—so I can focus on responding quickly and moving to a call. It’s a tool I recommend to other filmmakers who are figuring out their pipeline.

PH: What's your advice to filmmakers/crew considering a Featured Profile? What’s the value?

Willie Shaw: 100% do it. It might take a minute to land the first job, but once you do, it pays for itself. I’ve already built a stronger community and network in my first year. If the cost feels like a stretch, trust that the first win can cover it.

PH: Two dream gigs in one week (Seattle shoot + Amazon): what were those experiences like?

Willie Shaw: Seattle: we shot nine interviews in one day with ~30 minutes between resets. The client kept saying it looked “like Netflix,” which felt great. We moved quickly, delivered variety, and nailed each setup.

Amazon: I jumped in as second cam op. I brought extra gear just in case, pre-staged cameras to save reset time, ran B-roll, and helped with tear-down. Beyond the job itself, the connections were gold—I met a great grip and PA I’ve since hired on another ProductionHUB gig. The work is awesome, but the relationships are the real multiplier.

PH: How do you approach projects where flexibility/adaptability are key (e.g., second cam op + B-roll)?

Willie Shaw: Years of solo shoots made me scrappy—in a good way. I can plug into any lane and go. Because I shoot everything from weddings to corporate events, I’m comfortable engaging people, getting natural B-roll, and keeping energy high. That versatility turns into footage that feels alive.

PH: Living on Whidbey Island—how has a rural community shaped your creative perspective?

Willie Shaw: Island life taught me to be relaxed, present, and kind. You see the same folks at the grocery store and the café, so listening well and treating people with respect is second nature. On multi-day shoots, I get to know teams, baristas, front-desk staff—people feel known, and that shows up in the work and the collaborations.

PH: What types of projects excite you most right now?

Willie Shaw: I love DP work—and second cam, too—because I learn a ton observing how other crews solve problems. Favorite lanes: corporate interview days, event recaps (huge potential as mini-series), and day-in-the-life stories. I’m always experimenting with approaches to better engage viewers and drive results for clients. At the end of the day, I just love creating with a solid team.

PH: A recent thing you learned from another DP/crew member?

Willie Shaw: On the Amazon shoot, I watched the DP’s client management closely—seeking approval thoughtfully, framing decisions clearly, and explaining gear choices. It gave me a couple more “tools” for my own kit: a stronger framework for communicating decisions, not just making great frames.

PH: Now that you’ve got momentum from ProductionHUB, what’s next?

Willie Shaw: Keep pursuing leads, keep showing the work, let results speak. One wishlist feature: client reviews on profiles—my repeat clients often say they’ll re-book when they’re back in Seattle, and public reviews would amplify that. For now, I’m riding the wave, having fun, and making as many great projects as I can (AI future and all!).

PH: Dream project for the next year?

Willie Shaw: A deeply story-driven piece—think Chef’s Table vibes—about a Whidbey Island chef/farmer doing true farm-to-table from raw ingredients to plate. Also: a scripted short-form series (15 eps) for a brand—recurring characters, clever product placement, and “I can’t wait for the next episode” energy, like The Office meets branded storytelling.

You can learn more about Willie by visiting his website or ProductionHUB profile.