SANMAN Academy Presents: The Production Playbook with Tannis Spencer

On Sunday, March 24th, SANMAN Academy hosted its inaugural workshop, The Production Playbook, led by the incredibly talented Tannis Spencer, founder and creative lead of Micole Creative Studios. With over ten years of experience in the industry, Tannis brought a wealth of knowledge and insight to the sold-out class, making it a remarkable start to the SANMAN Academy series.

SANMAN Foundation provided attendees with a SANMAN Academy notebook, pens, and a copy of The Production Playbook as part of their attendance in the class.

Tannis’s impressive resume includes producing credits for major brands such as Google, Foot Locker, and MTV, showcasing her expertise in creative production. During the workshop, she shared her journey and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way, focusing on her comprehensive guide, "The Production Playbook", which outlines the essential pre-production steps for planning a successful brand photoshoot.

The workshop provided attendees with a deeper understanding of the meticulous planning that goes into a photoshoot—before reaching out to any talent, it’s crucial to have a solid plan in place. Tannis emphasized that this guidance applies not only to larger, budgeted projects but also to smaller-scale shoots, making her insights accessible to creatives at all levels. Throughout the session, Tannis covered three primary types of brand photography: lifestyle, product, and editorial. She highlighted the key differences between each type and outlined the essential roles needed to execute these shoots effectively. Her practical tips, including strategies for sourcing talent, were particularly valuable for both newcomers and seasoned professionals looking to refine their skills.

Tannis presenting to the workshop attendees.

Overall, the workshop was a treasure trove of information, combining Tannis’s extensive experience with actionable advice that participants could apply to their own projects. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable, and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, confirming that The Production Playbook is a must-read for anyone involved in brand photography.

We look forward to more engaging sessions at SANMAN Academy and can’t wait to see what future speakers will bring to the table. Stay tuned for upcoming events and more opportunities to learn from the best in the industry!