How to Kill Your Production Company (Don’t Do This)

Building a video production company is harder than most filmmakers expect. In this video I share 11 mistakes that nearly killed our filmmaking business — from gear debt and bad hiring to client arguments and betting everything on one project. We started with a borrowed DSLR in 2013 and now run a 13-person production company making documentaries and commercial films for clients like PBS and HBO. These are the lessons I wish someone had told me earlier. If you're a documentary filmmaker, freelance videographer, or creative running a small production company, this video will save you years of painful mistakes. Question: Which one of these mistakes do you think determines whether a production company survives? ====================== 🎯Download our FREE guidebook ➡︎ Steal These 35 Nuggets of Filmmaking Wisdom ➡︎ https://share.hsforms.com/2lvK7Jsj1QA... COLOR GRADED with Dehancer Film Emulation: Use code EARLYLIGHTMEDIA for 10% off. ---------------------------------------- Gear We Use (Affiliate Links): WORKHORSE CAMERA: https://amzn.to/4kVTTe3 LENS 24-70: https://amzn.to/3MQ8GdF LENS 70-200: https://amzn.to/4kVOvrj PRIMES: https://amzn.to/4l4b4KM GIMBAL: https://amzn.to/3MZ5dcZ DRONE: https://amzn.to/4tWnMPG TRIPOD: https://amzn.to/4rDV0BZ LAV MIC SYSTEM WE USE: https://amzn.to/4aSOXST SHOTGUN MIC: https://amzn.to/4qUDxDW MONITOR: https://amzn.to/4aLi6k9 GO-TO HARDDRIVES: https://amzn.to/46WMs0u GO-TO SD CARDS: https://amzn.to/3ZX7VTa LIGHTS - APERTURE 600d: https://amzn.to/46WMPYW LIGHTS - APERTURE 300d: https://amzn.to/4udVT5Z SOFTBOX: https://amzn.to/4b7xTts -------------------------------------- Affiliate links allow us to earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) and keep this channel going. Thanks for your support! Sign up for our weekly Newsletter ➡︎ No spam, just doc talk. ➡︎ https://2wr5n.share.hsforms.com/2rdz-... 🤔 Questions - Do you have questions or feedback about any our tips? Drop it in the comments! We will respond :) Here are the ways to work with us at Early Light Media (ELM) ============================= ⚡️Get on our freelance list ➡︎ https://earlylightmedia.com/freelance... ⚡️For Business inquiries, please go to ➡︎ https://earlylightmedia.com/contact/ ============================= Connect with us on Instagram! ============================= IG: ➡︎   / earlylightmedia   ============================= Connect with Darren Durlach ============================= Website ➡︎ https://earlylightmedia.com/darren-du... IG ➡︎   / darrendurlach   ============================= Our mission at Early Light Media is to inspire change through the power of nonfiction storytelling and documentary film by producing it and teaching it. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:27 Mistake 1 03:17 Mistake 2 04:17 Mistake 3 06:04 Mistake 4 08:24 Mistake 5 11:24 Mistake 6 12:40 Mistake 7 14:41 Mistake 8 15:55 Mistake 9 18:10 Mistake 10 19:03 Mistake 11 19:54 Bonus Mistake #earlylightmedia #documentaryfilmmaking #darrendurlach