Every week, we share the shortcuts, workspaces, and productivity tips of our favorite experts.
This week, were going behind the scenes at Lifehacker.
Im Joel Kahn, and this is how I work.
(My dad is a TV producer, so here we are.)
Take us through a recent workday.
If I am not on a shoot, Ill arrive around 9:45.
Our shoots typically last about 2 hours, which is very short.
Well only have 34 people on set, so everyone is very busy all the time.
Then I leave around 6.
Besides your phone, what apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
We use a website calledFrame.ioto review videos.
It lets you put notes directly in the timeline and I love it.
I use that for whenever we get signed releases from people in the videos.
And I have a big Google Sheets tracking document with all our current and past video projects.
Whats your workspace setup like?
I have a 27" iMac with retina display, and another 5K monitor right next to it.
I keep my to-do list in a physical notebook so I can satisfyingly cross off tasks as theyre finished.
I also take this notebook to meetings so I can pay attention and not get distracted by a laptop.
Whats your best shortcut or life hack?
Its perfect, and you get to just zoom past everyone trying to funnel onto a bus or train.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
Our current system for publishing videos involves several separate processes that were stuck together throughout the years.
This process is out of my control, but there is talk of streamlining it soon.
We have a three-person video team.
In addition to me, theres our producer, Adam, and our creative producer, Heather.
They both shoot and edit and animate, so we can all help each other to finish videos.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
I have a Google spreadsheet with all our active projects.
My current tasks are written out in a notebook on my desk.
And alsoI never forget anything.
How do you recharge or take a break?
By going to the kitchen snack cabinet.
Here is a detailed list of the kitchen snacks I appreciate most:
A Quaker chewy granola bar.
Its so small, and has just the right amount of chocolate.
Slightly harder to eat, and very loud and crunchy to eat at your desk, but very satisfying.
Plus theyre expensive, so getting one at work feels like you just got a raise.
A cup of tea.
They are in season now, and are just delicious.
I think it only appeases the part of you that wants to chew something, but it works.
They are bad for you, but they are so, so good for you.
Whats your favorite side project?
I occasionally edit videos for friends on the side.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
Im almost done and cant wait to see what happens with this band called The Strokes.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
Its not your personal art, so you shouldnt take any notes or changes personally.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
What videos people want to watch.
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?
