25 YEARS OF STORYTELLING:
MIKON HAAKSMAN’S ENDURING IMPACT ACROSS FILM, TV, AND CORPORATE PRODUCTION
Published on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 7:00 AM Production Hub
Original article can be found here
Long-time ProductionHUB featured profile Mikon Haaksman has spent more than 25 years building the kind of career many filmmakers dream about: a creative life powered by curiosity, collaboration, and a deep belief in story. From documentary shoots to aerospace marketing, Mikon approaches every project with agility and vision, helping clients look their best while capturing authentic, compelling moments behind the lens.
PH: With more than 25 years in film, television, and corporate production, what originally drew you to this path, and how has your passion for visual storytelling evolved?
Mikon Haaksman: I’ve always been interested in film production. When I was a kid I saw a BTS tv show about the making of Indiana Jones and I was so amazed by all the cameras, lights, and other equipment, I knew I wanted to do something in production. When I was 15, I told my dad I wanted to be a producer. He thought I was crazy for saying that, but when he saw my passion, he realized I made the right decision.
PH: When you take on a new project, how do you approach shaping a visual style? What factors (script, client goals, location, purpose) guide your creative decisions?
Mikon Haaksman: Most of my work doesn’t have the luxury of a major pre-planned concept before I begin. I might get a creative brief from the client, or mood boards, but often, since I do a lot of documentary type work, I have to take the moment I’m in and create the style as I go. I think over time, clients seek people out who innately have the style they are going for and hire them based on that.
PH: Your work spans documentaries, commercials, corporate videos, television, and aerial cinematography. How does working across such diverse formats influence your craft and mindset behind the camera?
Mikon Haaksman: From the very beginning, my work has forced me to think fast on my toes. I don’t often have the luxury of a large crew or a lot of time to get the shots I need. So you learn to be good and quick. You learn to anticipate and figure out things on the fly. Those skills compound with the various types of work that I do and I believe clients feel confident that I can deliver for them no matter the obstacles.
PH: In your experience, what separates a “good-looking video” from one that truly resonates emotionally with audiences, and what cinematography or production choices make the difference?
Mikon Haaksman: I think we’ve reached a point where just good looking video is ubiquitous. I’ve seen incredibly shot video from people making Youtube review videos for products. That being said, when you can find the story - the essence of the subject - AND make it look beautiful, you have a wining combination. I recently shot and produced a video for a drug rehab facility and I used both high end cameras, and less expensive ones. But the story is what resonated with viewers. It’s always the story.
PH: Collaboration is often key in production. How do you approach working with clients, directors, editors, and crews to ensure the final piece aligns with both creative vision and practical realities?
Mikon Haaksman:Obviously, in this line of work, budget is often he top concern for all parties involved. I can count on one hand the number of times a client said they had an unlimited budget. But the reality is that is rare. So to me, the first thing I try to do is bring on the best crew I can to help me help my clients. Most of the people I work with are multi talented and have skills far beyond what they are on set for. This helps create efficiencies which translate to cost savings and more creativity. And limits often also cause us to be more creative in finding ways to pull off what a client wishes for.
PH: Looking back, can you share a project that was particularly challenging (technically, logistically, or creatively) and how you overcame those challenges to deliver a strong final result?
Mikon Haaksman:I recently produced a project for a client of mine that works in the military space. they make components that test the electronics of fighter jets. The client told me that their biggest issue was that they had always wanted to market the devices by filming them with the actual aircraft. In their 18 years of selling this product, they never obtained permission to do that. I suggested we use a volume wall and create the jets as backgrounds that could look like the visuals they wanted to achieve. We worked out with mockups how the backgrounds should look on the volume wall and then created them. In the end, the final video was good enough to fool some of the industry clients they regularly work with - so much so, that they asked how they were able to film with the aircraft.
PH: As a freelance cinematographer and producer running Haaksman Media, how do you balance artistic ambitions with the business side of production (client expectations, budgets, scheduling, etc.)?
Mikon Haaksman:As much as we don’t like to deal with some of the business side of things in production, it’s a necessity. I find that working closely with my clients from the initial phone call through o delivery, is just as important and making beautiful video for them. It’s a relationship business, and if you make the business as easy as possible, they will keep calling.
PH: The industry is constantly changing, from gear to distribution platforms to audience behavior. How do you stay updated and adapt your techniques or workflow to evolving trends and technologies?
Mikon Haaksman:I am pretty boring when I’m not working, because I’m constantly looking at the latest trends and emerging technologies. I have always felt that if you stop learning, you become stagnant. I try to go to at least one trade show a year, I look online at industry related news sites, and I also watch commercials, social media, and other platforms to see what’s trending. It’s a time consuming endeavor!
PH: For those who hire cinematographers or producers, what qualities do you think are most important to look for if they want compelling visuals and reliable results? What do you wish more clients understood about your craft?
Mikon Haaksman:When hiring a cinematographer or producer, I think the first step is to see if you align with that person. Get on a Zoom call if you are remote and have a discussion. What is their personality like? Do they match yours, or would they be someone you think you cn work with? If that first element isn’t there, it will make for a much more difficult time on set and a lot of the necessary communication could go out the window. Also, having an idea of what you are looking for, perhaps with samples, is helpful. You have to manage your level of expectation too, though. If you have a $3,000 budget but you shared a sample of a $4 million commercial, that could be a stretch. What I wish more clients understood about me is that in the end, I am there to make them look good. I want them to be happy with what we’ve done. And also to trust me to deliver what they want. SO many times a client has come in with a very specific visual and we film it, and then I ask if I can play a little and try some things. More often than not, those are the shots they like the most. I do this every day. I have likely shot something similar. It’s a collaborative medium, and the more ideas, the better.
PH: What kinds of stories, projects, or formats are you excited to explore next, and how do you see your role evolving in the future of film and video production?
Mikon Haaksman:I'm always excited for more documentary work. I really enjoy the immediacy of that format and how we are literally telling the story as we film. But I take joy in every type of work I do. I enjoy meeting new people, working with them, and learning about people and subjects I may have not previously known about. As far as my role evolving, I see myself being the guide behind the crew to create great projects for my clients.