Senior Video Producer – Pinterest, Shorts, Reels & TikTok
Hey There! I’m Ethan Brooks
Culinary Video Producer | Visual Story Architect | Storytelling Addict | Age 29
Los Angeles–based creator who believes food videos should be simple, emotional, and irresistibly watchable — even without saying a word.
My Story
I wasn’t supposed to end up behind a camera.
In fact, as a kid growing up in San Diego, my world revolved around skateboarding videos, DIY editing software, and a cheap camera I practically glued to my hands. My friends and I would spend weekends filming tricks, cutting clips, adding music, and sharing our creations online.
I didn’t know it then, but I was training for the world I live in now — short-form storytelling.
My love for food came later.
During college, money was tight, so I learned to cook out of necessity. What started as simple meals turned into an unexpected passion. I found myself filming my recipes the same way I filmed skate tricks — close-ups, action shots, dramatic angles, slow-motion flourishes. People loved it.
One video went viral.
Then another.
Then brands began reaching out.
That’s when I realized:
Food + film wasn’t just a hobby — it was my future.
The Turning Point
My career changed the day I was hired as a junior editor at Food Network Kitchen.
I went from filming in my dorm to shooting on real sets, working with chefs, stylists, and producers who had decades of experience.
I learned the rhythm of food videos:
the sizzle, the pour, the crunch, the reveal.
One afternoon, during a hectic shoot, the lead producer handed me full control of a recipe video—unexpected, unplanned, and honestly, terrifying. I leaned into everything I’d practiced for years: tight angles, clean transitions, crisp edits, and storytelling driven by rhythm rather than words.
The video exploded.
Millions of views.
More importantly, it taught me I could see food through a lens in a way that connected emotionally.
From there, I shot videos for food creators, restaurants, and national brands. Then I transitioned to full-time culinary video production, specializing in vertical content that performs on Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.
What I Learned the Hard Way
Short-form food content looks effortless.
But behind the scenes?
It takes patience — and a lot of trial and error.
I made mistakes:
- Videos where the lighting ruined the recipe
- Angles that made gorgeous dishes look flat
- Shots where steam fogged the lens at the worst moment
- Audio tracks that didn’t match the pace
- Transitions that felt clunky or forced
But through every failure, I learned the science of what makes viewers stop scrolling:
✨ Motion
✨ Texture
✨ Timing
✨ Rhythm
✨ Emotion
What works isn’t just technique — it’s storytelling.
My Approach Now
Today, I create videos designed to look effortless but engineered to perform.
My approach is simple:
Tell the story of the recipe in 15–30 seconds, using visuals people can almost taste.
I focus on:
- Hands-only cinematic close-ups
- Smooth transitions and seamless cuts
- Perfect lighting for food texture
- Crisp ASMR audio
- Eye-catching edits for Pinterest & TikTok
- Visual rhythm that makes people watch again
Whether it’s melted cheese stretching in slow motion or a knife slicing through a crispy crust, I seek the moment that makes viewers say:
“Okay… I NEED to make this.”
What I Believe
🎥 Food videos should be short, beautiful, and full of emotion.
🎥 The best storytelling happens without a single spoken word.
🎥 Good lighting is everything — it’s the difference between “meh” and “wow.”
🎥 Simple ideas, done well, perform the best.
🎥 Every recipe has a hero shot — your job is to find it.
How I Can Help You
At Easy Cooking US, I produce:
- Pinterest Idea Pins (high-performing, step-by-step vertical recipes)
- TikTok & Reels videos optimized for virality
- YouTube Shorts with pacing built for retention
- Hands-only demos and ASMR-style edits
- Behind-the-scenes prep shots
- Seasonal video campaigns
My mission is to make every recipe look:
easy, delicious, and impossible to scroll past.
A Little More About Me
When I’m not filming, you’ll find me:
- editing at a coffee shop
- hiking around Southern California
- experimenting with new camera gear
- eating tacos (a lot of tacos)
- learning new transitions just for fun
I’m obsessed with natural light, clean aesthetics, and storytelling that feels warm and modern.
Oh — and I’m still a skateboarder at heart. I just trade wheels for cameras now.
Let’s Connect
If you’re a food creator, brand, or business looking for scroll-stopping culinary videos, I’d love to collaborate.
Find me on TikTok & Instagram: @EthanCooksFilms
Or contact me at: [email protected]