Crossing the Axis - The Commercial Side of Film Production
Dive into a dedicated space for commercial film production company owners. Join the conversation as we unravel the intricacies of business growth and sustainability in the ever-evolving client-driven film world. Benefit from the unique insights of buyers on acquiring fresh business opportunities and gain firsthand knowledge of best practices shared by your fellow industry peers. Chart your course to success. New episodes released every month.
S5 E4 · Sat, April 12, 2025
Freelance vs. Roster Directors with Luke Lashley
The commercial production landscape is changing, and directors have more options than ever. While the traditional model of exclusive production company rosters still works for some, the rise of freelance directing is creating new opportunities. But how do you decide which path is right for you? I sat down with Luke Lashley, founder of Departure, a production company that’s actively moved away from the roster-model, preferring to work with freelance directors. Luke shares insights on the advantages and challenges of both models, the growing trend toward independence, and what directors should consider when weighing their options. We break down the practical side of freelancing—how to structure outreach, what production companies look for, and how to stay top of mind for jobs—while also discussing when being on a roster might be the right fit. Whether you’re weighing a switch to freelance, reassessing an exclusive deal, or just curious about where the industry is headed, this episode will help you make an informed decision about your career.
S5 E3 · Thu, March 13, 2025
Change is Hard with Craig Brooks
Change is hard—but it’s essential to longevity. In this episode of Crossing the Axis, I sit down with Craig Brooks, co-founder of Kontent Partners, a film and photography production services company, to discuss how embracing change has fueled nearly 20 years of success in production. We explore the risks they’ve taken—launching new ventures and adopting a new system for growing business and improving operations even though the current system is working. If you’ve struggled with narrowing your market, adopting new tools, or maintaining culture while growing, this conversation is for you.
S5 E2 · Sat, February 08, 2025
How to Think Like an Agency with Alex Cohn
This episode is for production company owners who want to elevate their value when working directly with brand clients, stepping into roles traditionally held by ad agencies. As more brands bring strategy and creative in-house, production companies have an opportunity to partner more closely, helping these teams meet their goals through strategic insights and expertise. In this agency crash course, Alex Cohn, who leads production at Zambezi and digital content at their subsidiary FIN Studios, shares how production companies can move beyond execution to become true strategic partners. From verifying audience data and understanding the marketing funnel to considering media placement, Alex provides actionable tactics for adopting an “agency mindset” and delivering high-impact campaigns. If you’re looking to deepen your brand relationships and stand out as a partner, this episode is your roadmap to thinking—and acting—like an agency.
S5 E1 · Thu, January 09, 2025
How to Sell Like an Expert with Blair Enns
In this special episode, I sit down with Blair Enns—founder of Win Without Pitching, author of the industry-shifting book of the same name, and co-host of the hugely popular 2Bobs podcast. Blair’s newest book, The Four Conversations, breaks down the critical discussions every business should master for success: the Probative Conversation (positioning and marketing), the Qualifying Conversation (maintaining the expert position), the Value Conversation (pricing a client’s desired future state), and the Closing Conversation (helping the client select and commit). We go deep into each of these four conversations—what they are, why they matter, and how mastering them can transform client relationships and profitability. Along the way, Blair shares insights from his decades of experience helping creative businesses win smarter. Whether you’re running a production company, leading a sales team, or navigating growth, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and thought-provoking ideas you can put into practice today.
S4 E12 · Fri, December 13, 2024
[Client Side Conversation] How To Win Business With Kevin Knutson
Get ready for an insider’s perspective on winning the client-side game in this conversation with Kevin Knutson, a seasoned industry leader in creative marketing, content strategy, production, and brand development. With a career shaped by roles at outdoor brands like REI, Filson, and Eddie Bauer, Kevin now serves as the Creative Director at Mod Pizza. In this episode, he offers insights on what truly resonates with clients when production companies pitch their services—from the essential elements of a reel to approaches that add genuine value. Kevin shares his thoughts on the ideal client-partner relationship, including when to bring creative ideas to the table, how to strike a balance between collaboration and hands-off execution, and best practices for navigating post-project follow-ups. Tune in to hear Kevin’s do’s and don’ts for engaging with him and other creative directors, along with candid advice on what he values most from production partners. This episode is packed with actionable tips that can transform how you approach potential clients and elevate your biz dev strategy to new heights.
S4 E11 · Sun, November 10, 2024
Built to Sell with Amy Balliett
Join this information-packed crash-course discussion with Amy Balliett on getting your production company acquired. Amy is the founder of Killer Visual Strategies (formerly Killer Infographics), who built and successfully sold her company to Material, a global strategic consulting firm. In this episode, Amy shares detailed insights into what production company owners need to know about building for an exit strategy. Whether you’re planning to sell or merge, she breaks down essential steps like getting your finances in order and creating a growth plan that makes your business attractive to buyers.
S4 E10 · Thu, October 03, 2024
Elevating Account Management with Rob Meyers
Hear Rob Meyers from Versus, a NYC-based creative production studio that has built a stellar reputation for its culture-defining work and client-centric solutions since 2013. Rob shares actionable insights on effective account management, breaking down how Versus cultivates long-term relationships with major clients. He offers strategies for building trust, retaining clients, and successfully pitching ideas. The conversation dives into lessons from both successes and failures, with insightful tips that can elevate your client relationships and grow accounts. A must-listen for anyone looking to take their client management to the next level.
S4 E9 · Sun, September 08, 2024
Production at Scale with Alex Portera
In this episode of Crossing the Axis, we’re joined by Alex Portera from Rally on Media, a powerhouse in the production world, to uncover the secrets of running productions at scale. With over 100 projects completed each year, Alex knows a thing or two about keeping the gears turning smoothly. He’ll share his approach to managing this high volume of work, from planning and logistics to execution and client satisfaction. If you’re a production company owner looking to scale your operations, you won’t want to miss the insights Alex has to offer.
S4 E8 · Fri, August 09, 2024
Mastering Sales Trips with Jeff Oswalt
Join us for a chat with Jeff Oswalt, owner of 14Four, a digital marketing agency known for creating unforgettable campaigns. Jeff shares how in-person client visits and face-to-face interactions have driven his agency’s success for nearly two decades. Discover practical advice on preparing for sales trips, building genuine relationships, and avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re an experienced agency owner or just starting out, this episode offers actionable tips to boost your client acquisition strategy.
S4 E7 · Tue, July 02, 2024
Strategies for Landing Professional Sports Clients with Anthony Santa
Listen to hear Anthony Santa, Director of Sports & Entertainment at Diamond View, a production company based in Tampa, Florida, share their path to successful experiences in the world of sports marketing. Anthony discusses effective ways to market production services to sports clients and offers practical advice that production companies can immediately implement. Listeners will gain an understanding of how to position your company’s strengths, find meaningful value to clients, and identify emerging opportunities in the sports market.
S4 E6 · Fri, June 07, 2024
Expanding Abroad with Ryan Christopher McGuire of Cutters Studios Tokyo
Discover what it takes to expand internationally with Ryan Christopher McGuire of Cutters Studios, a commercial film production company based in Tokyo. From finding clients to scouting talent and managing resources, Ryan sheds light on the challenges and victories of setting up shop abroad, offering a treasure trove of insights for those looking to take their production efforts worldwide. Whether you’re just starting your company or an industry veteran, this discussion is packed with valuable lessons on navigating the client-driven film industry across borders.
S4 E5 · Fri, May 10, 2024
A Case-Study in Proactive Sales with Aaron Straight
Dive into the innovative—and risky—world of proactive sales with Aaron Straight, Founder of the film studio Soulcraft Allstars. Moving beyond traditional sales methods that rely on clients voicing their needs first, Aaron has built a remarkable track record by uncovering untapped opportunities before they are even visible to the client. Using the recent success of his "Western Flyer" project (narrated by Nick Offerman) as a case study, Aaron shares how he anticipates hidden needs, crafts visionary pitches, and manages the inherent risks of misinterpretation. This episode offers a deep dive into transcending conventional sales models, mastering the art of opportunity, and the invaluable lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks.
S4 E4 · Sun, April 07, 2024
Should You Hire a Sales Rep?
Is it time for your production company to partner with a sales rep? The right sales representative can provide industry insights, valuable relationships, and a network of contacts to secure lucrative opportunities. But making this decision hinges on factors like your company's goals, size, and resources. Join us as we explore this critical topic with Doug Stephen, a leading Midwest rep and seasoned professional with over two decades in commercial film production. Together, we dive into the world of sales representatives and their pivotal role in shaping the success of production companies.
S4 E3 · Tue, March 05, 2024
Improve Your Agency's CRM Sales Strategy with Copper CEO Steve Holm
In a client-driven business, developing and maintaining relationships is essential for growth. Join my conversation with Steve Holm, CEO of Copper, to learn why a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system is critical for your sales strategy, and how it can revolutionize client relationships, streamline processes, and boost profitability. Steve is a career product designer on a mission to develop the ultimate CRM system tailored for agency owners. Hear insider tips for building strong sales pipelines, guiding clients through stages, and seamlessly integrating a CRM into your workflow. Warning, by listening to this episode, you may begin to enjoy doing sales work.
S4 E2 · Tue, February 13, 2024
Shaping the Future: Lessons From a DEI Internship Journey
Explore the transformative power of diversity in the advertising industry with Tony Fulgham, owner of the commercial film studio All is Well, as he unveils a behind the scenes story of launching a year-long BIPOC internship program. Discover the motivations behind this initiative, the challenges and hurdles to overcome, and the unexpected rewards it offered. From inception to execution, learn how All is Well navigated finding and hiring talent, developed a meaningful curriculum, and built community partnerships to overcome the blindspots of privilege. This episode goes beyond success stories, offering a practical guide and reflections for those ready to embark on a similar journey. Join us for an inspiring discussion on making diversity and inclusion a reality in the creative world.
S4 E1 · Wed, January 03, 2024
[Client Side Conversation] Biz Dev Real Talk with Anne Milan Alo
Prepare to be enlightened in this must-listen episode featuring the insightful Anne Milan Alo, a luminary in the world of marketing and business development. Anne, with her extensive experience, delves deep into the art of attracting clients. She opens up about the dos and don'ts for agencies seeking to catch her eye, offering an invaluable perspective from the client's side. Discover Anne's preferred communication strategies, from crafting compelling emails to engaging LinkedIn messages, and learn why paid advertising might not be the golden ticket to acquiring clients like her. With years of expertise in marketing across agencies and brands, Anne's advice is not just theory, but a proven blueprint for business development success. Tune in to gain actionable strategies and insights from a seasoned marketing maven.
S3 E9 · Fri, October 27, 2023
Should Your Production Company Go Union Signatory?
Ever wondered about the perks and challenges of becoming a union signatory? Dive into our latest episode where Melissa Purcell, a Business Agent for IATSE 488, sheds light on the myriad advantages, from tapping into a reservoir of top-tier talent to landing projects that demand union involvement. But with great benefits come responsibilities. Discover the intricacies of union regulations, the commitment to fair pay, and the reasons why going signatory could be the best move for your business.
S3 E8 · Fri, October 06, 2023
[Client Side Conversation] Paul Killebrew on Hiring Boutique Production Companies
Paul Killebrew boasts experience as both a seller and buyer within the production industry. His tenure in sales cultivated his fondness for smaller boutique production firms over larger ones. Now, with nearly a decade on the buying side, Paul has honed distinct views on what captures his attention and fosters enduring partnerships. Tune in to glean insights and best practices for collaborating with clients who genuinely root for your success.
S3 E7 · Fri, September 08, 2023
How Science Fiction Shaped a Business Niche in Customer Stories
In the business of commercial film production, making brand case-studies are often seen as just a step above an infomercial. But that’s when they are done poorly. When executed well, they can transcend advertising and become content that not only provides information but also entertains and delights. That’s the value proposition SHEP Films offers their clients. Listen to hear Brice Budke talk about how the team at SHEP Films utilizes their sci-fi world building muscles to treat case studies as an art form unto themselves, and why that’s good for their client’s business and their own.
S3 E6 · Wed, August 16, 2023
[Client Side Conversation] How to Offer Your Services to Brand Clients with Nicholas Incorvaia
Get to know Nicholas Incorvaia and hear his take on what motivates him to hire production companies, and what doesn’t. Nicholas is a leader in producing corporate marketing content for almost two decades with brands like T-Mobile and Amazon, where he currently serves as Head of Creative Operations. Nicholas is a laser-focused client-type whose commitment to reaching marketing goals is only matched by his empathetic kindness and thirst for creativity. Learn about what keeps Nicholas inspired and get his take on how production companies can thrive working directly with brands.
S3 E5 · Wed, July 26, 2023
Why Company Culture Matters with Sam Kelly, Jr.
Whether you realize it or not, your production company has a culture. It is shaped by the owners, the employees, partners and your clients. But, should it be more than just the sum of the parts? Should it be curated and developed to such a degree that it is a specialty or has a particular affinity - potentially turning away some folks but drawing in others? In this episode, we talk to Sam Kelly from the production company and creative studio “Invisible Collective” about their approach to culture, how they build it, and why?
S3 E4 · Thu, July 06, 2023
[Client Side Conversation] Do Your Narrative Projects Attract Client Work?
This must-listen episode welcomes Nate Barr to help you navigate the very difficult path of using your own original narrative content to attract client work. Nate knows what he’s talking about too, with over 20 years of experience in all aspects of content making from producing narrative films, to operating his own creative agency, to leading the client side of many marketing initiatives for brands. The insights and tips Nate generously shares are critical for any production company owner balancing the desire to make work for clients and for themselves.
S3 E3 · Mon, June 19, 2023
[Client Side Conversation] Selling Direct to Brands with Thig Gishuru
Meet Thig Gishuru, a creative director with over 10 years of experience in both the agency-side and client-side of advertising; primarily creating, producing, and marketing content in fashion. In this episode, Thig candidly shares his story, needs, and tips about what he wishes he heard more often when being solicited for projects.
S3 E2 · Mon, June 05, 2023
[Client Side Conversation] Selling to Ad Agencies, with Undnyable
Meet Justin Hooper and Steve Williams, partners at Undnyable, an advertising agency with a reputation of turning heads with their funny, creative and sometimes outrageous client campaigns. In this episode we hear about their creative approach to client work, their criteria for choosing production partners, and how production companies should sell to agencies.
S3 E1 · Mon, May 01, 2023
Passing the Mic
Max introduces James Keblas as the future host of Crossing the Axis. Get to know James and how he plans to lead the show moving forward. Max shares his thoughts and observations on the video production business after three years building the Pipeline tech-tool for video production companies and running his own video production company for over 15 years.
S2 E4 · Tue, March 29, 2022
Evolving from Production Company to Agency with Alan Nay
This week we interview Alan Nay of the Seattle powerhouse World Famous . World Famous works as a full-service agency with Nike, Wendy's, T-Mobile, Microsoft - you name it. But! World Famous started out as a production company - just like you. Today, we talk to World Famous founder Alan Nay about the choice to go from production company to agency. What's worked, what's been tougher than expected, and how in the heck you deal with your current agency clients when you've decided to become an agency! If you've ever thought you might like to take your production company to the next level, Alan has some great insight for you about this big move.
S2 E3 · Thu, February 24, 2022
The Creative Work You do Between Gigs Defines You and Your Company
I sit down and talk to Chris Donaldson and Julien Scherliss of Moment.film (www.moment.film) about what it takes to regularly put out great, personal creative work outside of the daily grind of our production lives. Moment.film, during their first 2 years in business has put out a ton of commercial work for Seattle agencies and beyond but at the same time they've also produced a 10 minute and 20 minute pair of short films and a 10 minute documentary. AND they've paid for it all with profits from their commercial work. We touch on - Being sure to have profit in your company to pay for these creative endeavors Why keeping it "lean and mean" can help set you up to be able to pursue outside creative What you do and don't get out of these creative forays How the creative you do on the side often defines who you are as a company
S2 E2 · Wed, February 16, 2022
From "Selling Out" to Selling Big - The Path of the Passionate Professional
Channel Your Passion into Client Success Max talks to Caleb Young, creative director at world-class video production company, Hand Crank Films of the Pacific Northwest. Learn how Caleb went from someone who thought doing corporate video was “selling out” to someone who learned to love the process of turning his passion for film into beautiful videos for his clients that are anything but typical “corporate”. Caleb creates over a million dollars of revenue a year for the agency that owns Hand Crank AND stays true to his soul and vision - listen in to find out how. Also included: Talking deal making and how to win the game of “Budget-Chicken” Disclaimer: Hand Crank Films was the company Max started nearly 20 years ago, and sold 3 years ago.
S2 E1 · Tue, February 08, 2022
Max & Jake Bore You To Death About Budgeting
You seriously need to take budgeting seriously. Basically, budgeting is the activity that makes or breaks your operation. How you handle it makes all the difference whether you're just getting started, or you've been at it for a long time. Take a moment to listen to Max & Jake's tips for making this process fast, efficient and productive. You won't regret it. In this podcast we breakdown how great budgeting will: Get you more work Get you BIGGER budgets Get you in the door with agencies Get you off the hamster wheel of making the same financial mistakes again and again that are holding you up
S1 E16 · Fri, December 17, 2021
Get All the Answers with Ryan Koral of Studio Sherpas
Today Jake and I got to sit down with Ryan Koral, the head of Studio Sherpas. Studio Sherpas is advertised as "Everything You Need to Grow Your Video Business" and they are not kidding. Ryan has dedicated a sizeable chunk of his career to helping video production folk become more successful and happy in running their companies. Ryan hosts a podcast which has over 420,000 downloads! In addition to just kicking back and telling us how he got started, and what Studio Sherpas is all about, Ryan shares a number of quick grab gems of useful information that make it easy to understand why the Sherpas are so popular. For instance, here are just a few things you may not have thought of: How making a personal video to go along with a pitch can help seal the deal How you can actually charge your clients to just put together their production plan (no shooting necessary, and yes, this works!) Assorted ways to add value to get those jobs you REALLY want with out shortchanging yourself or cutting your budget Tune in, you owe to yourself!
S1 E15 · Fri, December 10, 2021
The Case for Keeping the Team In-House with StoryFarm
John Sherman is the CEO of StoryFarm out of Baltimore, Maryland. John and his team have been (very) successful creating a host of different types of videos for clients like Dell, McDonalds, ExxonMobile - you name it. The unique thing about StoryFarm? In this age of decentralized, on-demand video work, they've decided to stick to the old ways of doing things and keep all of their employees salaried, and in-house. In this episode, we talk with John about why this seemingly old-fashioned approach to business management actually yields some surprising advantages in market, and how it has helped them grow to over $2.5M in revenue. We discuss how they are better able to serve their clients, how their potential clients love knowing their work is going to be all in-house, and how sometimes it's more about journey than the destination when it comes to video production work.
S4 E4 · Fri, December 10, 2021
The Case for Keeping the Gang In-House with StoryFarm
John Sherman is the CEO of StoryFarm of Baltimore, Maryland. John and his team have been (very) successful creating a host of different types of videos for clients like Dell, McDonalds,
S1 E14 · Thu, December 02, 2021
Death to the Corporate Video with Guy Bauer
Imagine bringing in revenue of $3.5M one year only to find that you’re actually $1M in debt? That’s where Guy Bauer found himself at the end of 2018. His production company (Umault) was more successful than ever, however, due to poor financial management, and lack of direction, Guy was only months from bankruptcy. Listen in as Guy shares candidly with us how he successfully relaunched his company, slimmed staff from 32 to 4, moved the focus from “the gear” to the creative, became highly profitable, and most of all, started enjoying his job again. Guy and his team have officially killed the corporate video - and it has paid off in spades.
S1 E13 · Wed, November 24, 2021
Cole Heilborn: The Hustler
In this episode we meet Cole Heilborn of the pacific northwest production company, Portside Productions. We at Crossing the Axis call Cole "the hustler" because there's nothing Cole's afraid of to move his craft forward. Here are some things Cole is doing that are quite out of the box in order to get the kind of work he wants. Hosting his own podcast interviewing marketing people who are the type that would ultimately hire him. Genius. Creating (and getting funding for) a documentary based on his love of mountain biking. Note - this puts him in like Flynn with those mt. biking companies who also need commercial work done. So, take a listen to this episode and learn how you, too, can hustle. And how the key to it is knowing "there are no rules" to growing your production company.
S1 E12 · Fri, November 12, 2021
The Business of Wedding Films with Emma Wilson
Emma Wilson of Wengen, Switzerland makes the most beautiful wedding films you've ever seen. Forget about the cheese that can sometimes sneak into this industry. Emma creates from-the-gut, perfectly crafted mini-features to celebrate her client's special day. Her films are a testament to the idea that it's never the subject matter, or the corner of the industry, but always what you bring to the table as a craftperson that matters. But that's not enough for this 20 year veteran of the BBC's TV newsrooms. Emma, in addition to creating said beautiful wedding films, has started Evolve Videography Training specifically geared towards women commercial filmmakers. And, in addition to that, Emma runs a highly successful corporate film company, Story Creatives. Emma sits down with host Max Kaiser to talk about what it takes to create truly exceptional wedding films, why she thinks women have a tough time in our biz, what she's doing to change that, and finally, how she balances running three companies with a very consuming home life and downhill skiing schedule.
S1 E11 · Fri, November 05, 2021
Important Takeaways from the First Ten Episodes
Today, as a celebration of finishing 10 podcasts, we’re going to do a recap podcast where we go back and cover incredible tips we’ve learned from our guests. Hiring Your First Sales Person for Video Production Don’t call them a salesperson A sales person must be an integral part of your team They love video A “pro” salesperson will rarely work as a video sales person The Seasons of Sales Know your client’s calendar Hit them with ideas when they need them Clients and agencies LOVE ideas Know their fiscal calendar Managing Client Relationships for the Win - With Elements Studio of North Carolina Put everything in the SOW Make sure to DO an SOW Good fences make good neighbors This really helps with the client is doing some of the stuff for the project Don’t hesitate to OVER-communicate AND…Make the first 30 minutes on set completely awesome for the client Making Sales Easy by Going After Low-Hanging Fruit with Jen O’Brien Get a referral from every job Land and expand Pitch different departments Take advantage of making explainers, talking heads, etc. for other clients within the org Creating Systems to Grow Your Video Production Company Basic Gear Management System as your starter system We all have this problem of not having all our gear on set sometimes Start small on systems and grow out from there Don’t recreate the wheel on every project Creating a TRULY Creative-First Video Production Company - With Tony Fulgham Take your creative seriously Practice your creativity with - “experiments” Pitch your creative properly (make sure they understand the process) Get paid for your creative - even if it’s only a little in the beginning Doing Well by Doing Good with Soulcraft - With Aaron Straight Following the thread of your career, what gives you satisfaction and pleasure in life Your career doesn’t have to be all planned out - you can go from one thing to the next and follow your bliss You can open many doors in pursuing what you love You can really start to define your niche in this way, too The View From the Top with Shane Dillon
S1 E10 · Wed, October 27, 2021
How to Make a Profit in Video Production
Max and Jake break down the importance of making a profit, what you can do with the profit, and how to insure that you make the profit you need. What profit is? Why profit is crucial to growth? The "No Profit" Trap People Fall Into How Much Profit Do You Need? How To Calculate Your Profit Into Your Job Budgets? "Bottom up" example from Jake How to apply profit metrics to each and every job Profit and sales people incentives Keeping tabs on profit throughout the year
S1 E9 · Tue, October 19, 2021
Growing Your Production Company with SEO
Max and Jake speak with Blake Barnett of Blare Media about how they have successfully scaled their operation through very unusual and clever tactics like having multiple satellite offices (they have 10!!) and mastering the art of SEO. Blake goes on to talk about Blare's strategy to hit $5M in revenues with his new venture Shoots.Video, an online listing service for production companies and production staff. It is a true cornucopia of interesting and unusual tips for growth. If you're feeling stuck in your current revenue and client base, and looking for new, exciting ways to grow - you'll want to listen to this one!
S1 E8 · Tue, October 12, 2021
The Difference Between Good and Great Production Companies
Hear what industry veteran Shane Dillon sees as the difference maker between the good and the great production companies. Shane and his company LightPress (www.lightpress.tv) do post for so many of the big agencies and production companies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We thought it would be interesting to talk to Shane about what he sees as the difference maker between the good and the great production companies that come through his shop. Listen in as Shane talks about how it comes down to 4 basic ingredients: Communication Hierarchy Organization Openness to ideas and TRUE collaboration On top of this, Shane shares some fabulous pointers about getting paid for your creative and managing scope creep. You won't want to miss it!
S1 E7 · Tue, October 05, 2021
Doing Well by Doing Good with Soulcraft
Max talks with Aaron Straight of Soulcraft Allstars, a production company that has proven you can be the change you believe in. Aaron and his team have done work with Amazon, Addidas, Gates Foundation, Seattle Foundation, Seattle Pacific University and more. With Soulcraft Allstars, Aaron has turned a a passion for making the world a better place into a great, globe-trotting gig for he and his team. Listen as Aaron and Max discuss: How Aaron turned his passion for social justice into paying creative work Aaron's goal of producing "values based storytelling" Aaron talking specifically about his ongoing work in Haiti, and he flipped the script on his client work to truly give something back to the community there Why Aaron looks to be forgiving to himself in his work How has the Soulcraft Allstars team come together How people interested in bringing a social justice angle to their video work can thrive
S1 E6 · Mon, September 27, 2021
Creating a TRULY Creative-First Video Production Company
Max interviews creative director, writer, director, production company-owner Tony Fulgham of All is Well (www.alliswellstudios.com) about how to create a truly creative-first production company. Tony shares a huge amount of great advice here for anyone looking to make their production company creative-first, like: The importance of writing The importance of getting paid for creative Tony talks about getting work and the state of industry Setting the tone with clients about how you work Only way to stay creative is to do things that “are not for sale” How to work with the client and share the process of “how you’re getting there” How to go from the Pitch Creative to the Actual “Shot” Creative Talking about “Experiments” (stuff you and your team creates on the side to explore creativity) What you have to go through to get what you want to see made It's a fabulous episode where you get to learn from a soft-spoken master who you normally would never have access to. Take a moment, and listen...
S1 E5 · Mon, September 20, 2021
Creating Systems to Grow Your Video Production Company
Max & Jake discuss how you can (and should) create systems to help grow your video production company. We also include some examples of systems that you can copy for your own company. What is a system? Why do we need systems? What’s an example of a basic system that has made a big difference? Where did you learn about systems? Importance of starting small and getting buy-in from your team on your systems Why you need to have someone to manage the systems How systems can work for single person companies, too
S1 E4 · Mon, September 13, 2021
Making Sales Easy by Going After Low-Hanging Fruit
Max talks to uber Producer Jennifer O'Brien about going after "low hanging fruit" to increase sales and even out your sales cycles. Jennifer has over 10 years experience as Project Manager, Producer and Sales Manager for creative production companies. Clients included Microsoft, Amazon, AWS, Expedia, Starbucks and more. Jennifer helped her last company grow from $1M to $2M in sales. Content from the podcast includes: How to show your work to your clients, what to show, and when to show it. Taking advantage of your "niche" What Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) software should you use? When is the right time to hire help with sales and business development? How to make the most of referrals? internal referrals “land and expand” How to ask for referrals? How to make the most of your current clients? Get more work from your existing clients by pitching to different departments Get into technology, how-to, and talking heads videos as basics for your regular client's video hygiene
S1 E3 · Tue, September 07, 2021
Managing Client Relationships for the Win
What do you think of when you think “Client Experience”? What is the revenue value of creating a positive client experience? The improvement in project quality with the client? Sit back and enjoy my interview with Director of Video Production Alex Manning and company owner Steve Jolly of Elements Studio (https://www.elements-studio.net) as we talk about how you can use amazing client experiences to drive your success to new heights. Here are some takeaways… Divide and conquer the relationship when you can. Have one person for creative, and one person for the deal. Be sure to set down EVERYTHING on paper in your Statement of Work. This is especially true if the client is taking on something you should be doing but they can’t afford to pay for it. Make the first 30 minutes on set completely awesome for the client. Make sure to roll straight from Production into Post without a break - don’t lose the momentum. Identify your Post milestones clearly in emails as you’re going back and forth on deliverables to reduce creep. Overall - OVER communicate with the client whenever you can. And finally, how to use the WRAP stage to begin the whole process again and get that next project off the ground. This podcast brought to you from the good people at Pipeline Video Production Platform (https://www.videopipeline.io). Pipeline is your all-in-one solution to managing the chaos of video production projects from budgets, to schedules, to deliverables and everything in between.
S1 E2 · Mon, August 30, 2021
The Seasons of Sales
In "Seasons of Sales" Max and Jake pontificate on some tricks and tips to help you get off of the "feast or famine" roller coaster of work and achieve a more sustainable workload. Here are some of the things we touch on: Reach out to your best customers based on which seasons they are most likely to produce videos Build a calendar to help remind you when is the best time to reach out to your customers. Understand that hitting your customers at the right time is often as, or more important that hitting your customers with the right pitch. Utilize the "pre-emptive sales strike" to hit folks up when they've just started thinking of ideas. Understand that marketing departments and agencies LOVE IDEAS. They'll almost always be willing to meet with you to hear your ideas if the time is right. Understand that for some clients it's the time of year that is most important, and for others, it's when their fiscal year-end is. It only takes a few minutes each week, once you have your calendar in place, to touch base with potentials - even when you're super busy. This podcast brought to you from the good people at Pipeline Video Production Platform (https://www.videopipeline.io). Pipeline is your all-in-one solution to managing the chaos of video production projects from budgets, to schedules, to deliverables and everything in between.
S1 E1 · Thu, August 19, 2021
Podcast Trailer
Trailer covering the topics that our video production podcast will be covering. This podcast brought to you from the good people at Pipeline Video Production Platform (https://www.videopipeline.io). Pipeline is your all-in-one solution to managing the chaos of video production projects from budgets, to schedules, to deliverables and everything in between.
S1 E1 · Tue, August 17, 2021
Hiring Your First Sales Person for Video Production
Max & Jake discuss what you should be looking for in hiring your first sales person for your video production company. First lesson - don't call them a "salesperson". This podcast brought to you from the good people at Pipeline Video Production Platform (https://www.videopipeline.io). Pipeline is your all-in-one solution to managing the chaos of video production projects from budgets, to schedules, to deliverables and everything in between.
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