business start up blues

A

Angrius

Carbonite Member
Hello there guys. I am starting a video production/dubbing house in Ontario here in Canada. I worked in the film industry as a freelance assistant producer in Toronto for about 5 years.

This year I decided to take a big risk and start a business on my own. I enrolled in a course that helps you out with your business in general (writing a business plan, balancing finances etc) and it's helping me out a lot.

The problem is I'm feeling scared. This stresses me out. The feeling that it all might fail is overwhelming sometimes. I haven't gotten to the stage where I have my first client yet. I want to have a new look for this area..using the dvx (or new the new hd cam coming) combined with a mini35 adapter to hopefully sway clients into something more exciting than the usual local tv station "car lot" look.

I'm just wondering if you guys felt like this and if it would be alright could you share your initial feelings? When did you start getting confidence in what you were doing and how have things changed for you since? I guess I just feel alone right now. Thanks.
 
Scared! Many of us are scared, and for that reason wiping ourselves out by running a video production business as a second job. Just taking that first step, as you have, to fulltiming it is a brave step, and an indication at least of the kind of drive it takes for success.

Hopefully, you have a lot of connections from your AP days, and can seek out a few niche markets to get a nice foothold in (where word-of-mouth is powerful).


What stage are you in, and what are you doing so far?
 
I'm scared everyday man. Scared at why the hell I'm getting into this.
So I think in steps. Or stairs. You have to reach for a new level until you find your limit. And when you have reached your limit you can sell out and go work for someone again. Hopefully at the top.
- Tao
 
Right now I am in the process of examining my market and competiors. As well, I have just finished up my initial business plan to bring to the bank or other possible funders. I feel that keeping my competitors in close vision will help me tremendously.

I don't have a reel yet. Did you guys land work without one? How did that go if so?
 
If you don't have a reel, you are wasting everyone's time including yours. Go shoot, edit, shoot more until you have something you are proud to show. Then get a client, do ag reat job, get another one. You can examine market and competitors until your cows come home, but you can't get wet until you dive into the pool. In our business competitors are almost meaningless IMHO.
 
Scared is a big part of it...for it is your fear that will drive you forward.
A reel is your most important selling device, both on the web and in DVD form, I would do a bunch od spec spots to build your reel.

P.S. Has it stopped flooding in Ont?
 
Fear can drive you forward. Or it can make you crumble. I am the second type, so I have to sell from a position of confidence and abundance. But I know people that only get going when their back is against the wall.

You can also build your reel by doing some NPO work similar to whatever you want to do for pay.
 
Terrified here! Even with the hubby's full time job bring in the bacon and me spending most of my time getting the business end of the company going I still have moments of gut-clenching, sweat stinking FEAR! The secret is to not let it paralyze you, but spur you to work harder/better. Good luck!! Or break a leg, whichever you prefer!
 
Thanks for the comments. I have to disagree with competiors being meaningless. What do they offer? Who are they working for? What could you offer that might be different. Perhaps a competitor only does video production..but not mass dvd duplicaton..there is an opportunity. It's useful to know everything you can. But let's face it..they are meaningless...because I'm going to DESTROY them. :thumbsup: What I do think though is that you shouldn't ever comprimise what you do and believe in regardless of what others in your field are doing. Unless you're a coke head. You may want to stop doing that. Or not.

The NPO option is what I'll probably be working with initially. I've done a lot of animation and AE work for different organizations and it's tended to really help out getting legit jobs. The spec spots is also a great idea.

Thanks to you all for getting back to me on this. All you comments are greatfully appreciated:)

No more flooding in Toronto Taylor...just a freak thing..weird really. This is twice we've had hurricane weather here. F*$king climate change!!! Speaking of which here's a link to one of my last projects I worked on before thinking about going solo...call the Canadian Government and order your copy now!! Or call Serta matresses and explain to them how you just watched a video that had sheep in it exactly like their mascots and get my last place of employment sued! That would be great:)

http://sciencenorth.ca/onetonnechallenge/
 
Networking is always a good thing. Get to know some of the more prolific medium sized film and video production companies in your town. They'll pass you down jobs they can't do themselves. They'll refer you. Networking is probably the biggest thing you need to take care of.
 
Awesome guys!

What about relationship stress from your business? Okay this is another topic for another day!:P
 
the first step

the first step

Angrius,

Your taking a risk, but this is what it takes to be sucessful. I just sold my roofing business (http://bnbroofing.com/ ) after a sucessful 5 years in operation to do something I really love...video production. I wish I would have started my video production business 5 years ago, but now that I've taken this risk I am much happier even though the $$$ hasn't started rolling in yet. I've been activily promoting my business for a solid two months now, and I can feel I'm on the brink of something big happening.

For the last couple of months I've been getting involved in as many projects as I can to build my reel up as fast as possible. I got involved in the filmerica 72 hour film challenge and I just found out that our team just tied for first place for the audience award. Our team is Team Seattle and you can see the films here: http://filmerica.com/ . I came on board as the DOP. This was the first time I'd ever done a film festival contest, and the first time taking a lead role as the director of photography.

What market are you trying to get into? Weddings, music videos, commercials?The fact is that there are a ton of non-paid projects out there waiting to have talented people make something happen. I got started by looking through the craigslist forum: http://vancouver.craigslist.org/tfr/ and picking out projects where I could showcase my talent.

I did a one camera wedding for free for my friends and based on the low quality streaming video on putfile: http://media.putfile.com/PetersonHighlights I got my second gig which was a low paying gig, but I'm getting $$ now. I'll be able to use these two wedding videos to promote myself to get more better paying gigs later.

Networking is key. A dvxuser contacted me through the PM board asking to barrow my battery charger since his died, and he had an important event coming up. We met up and I loaned him my charger. Since then I've joined with him and an excellent team to do a short film. His wife is a consultant for a couple local high end photographers, and he said her clients are constantly asking about a good videograher. I'll be sending her my reel next week and I just know based on the extra effort I've put into the two projects I've done so far it will pay off.

I have a leg up on you for the fact that I know how to run a business and talk with clients, but let your work speak for itself. I try to go above and beyond especially now that I'm starting out in order to really impress my clients and get them to refer me. I'll be shooting a music video for Amber Pacific http://amberpacific.com/main.html in the next month. This is another unpaid job, but I figure If I produce a great video on no budget their label will pick me up and start paying me and giving me a budget to do more work for them.

I plan on contacting more labels after this music video is done and try to do the same thing using my talents and equipment for free in order to convince them of my abilities. I figure if I don't get work after the first attempt then I'm getting experience in dealing with bands, labels, and overcoming obstacles along the way which will ultimately help me in the long run anyways.

Don't forget your manners. I was watching something on tv recently about a study done on people who use vs people who do not use manners and the effect it has on their success. I guess people feel more relaxed around someone who uses manners and the statistics showing this were pretty amazing.

Anyways good luck man and go get um.

-Kevin
 
About 10 years ago, when I was literally sleeping on the floor (via a $40 air mattress), I started a business. It ended up doing pretty well.

In the early days, I recall reading an article on entrepreneurship. The gist of the article was this: you live in a country where you will never go without a DVD player. Nevermind the necessities of life such as food, water, and shelter--they are a given--you won't even do without such luxuries as a DVD player.

We get all worked up over relatively meaningless stuff. People make themselves miserable at a job they don't enjoy, just so they can make their new BMW payment.

It's natural to encounter fear and worry when starting a business. But just remember, you will always be fine. You'll never have to even go without a DVD player! Pursue your dreams with vigor and don't look back. :beer:
 
Sean Michael said:
About 10 years ago, when I was literally sleeping on the floor (via a $40 air mattress), I started a business. It ended up doing pretty well.

In the early days, I recall reading an article on entrepreneurship. The gist of the article was this: you live in a country where you will never go without a DVD player. Nevermind the necessities of life such as food, water, and shelter--they are a given--you won't even do without such luxuries as a DVD player.

We get all worked up over relatively meaningless stuff. People make themselves miserable at a job they don't enjoy, just so they can make their new BMW payment.

It's natural to encounter fear and worry when starting a business. But just remember, you will always be fine. You'll never have to even go without a DVD player! Pursue your dreams with vigor and don't look back. :beer:
Click to expand...


So very well put, having recently been very screwed over by a client for alot of money, I have been able to really reflect on the points that you bring up...good words...thanx
 
Taylor Moore said:
So very well put, having recently been very screwed over by a client for alot of money, I have been able to really reflect on the points that you bring up...good words...thanx
Click to expand...

..ouch.. always get enough up front (non- refundable)to cover costs.. and be payed in full before delivery. that way youll never be negative money.. just negative time if anything. ..usually neither if your collecting enough up front non refundable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top