Starting a Video Production company

steve_

Hi guys I'm looking to go ahead and start up a company in the area of video production. Im just looking for some advise regarding the path I'm looking to take for the business.

I currently work at a video production company and I've gained a lot of very valuable experience during my time here. From working on video shoots to editing in house with clients as well as the day to day operations like taking calls regarding quotes and doing the administrative side of this.

I myself have made a lot of the necessary investments regarding the business so making the jump isn't as stressful as it first seemed. Ive got cameras, lenses, audio equipment and high end computers for editing and motion graphics. Ive also got a strong working relationship with my current employer and they are willing to rent equipment out to me if necessary for more complex shoots.

A lot of the knowledge is already in place regarding the actual execution of the work however starting up a business is something i dont have much knowledge in. Im thinking of registering as a sole trader, initially i was going to setup a limited company with a cameraman I've worked with over the last year however we both feel that we should build up a stronger working relationship before signing into anything so sole trader is the route we will both take for now.

My question is if i am a sole trader will it be possible for me to still employ people on a freelance basis? My thoughts were that if i get jobs through my business i will ask my cameraman for a quote and pay him a daily rate to complete the work required. I myself specialise more in editing and motion graphics work and in order to keep the standards high i would rather hire a dedicated camera guy to complete the videography side of things. I am a proficient camera operator myself and that is my primary job within my current company but i am not so ignorant to think i can do it all myself not to mention the camera guy I've teamed with is very good at what he does.


What are the first steps required to getting things started?


Also can i register for VAT right from the start as a sole trader as i know most of the businesses i will be dealing with will more then likely be VAT registered.


Here is a video myself and my camera guy make for a village market, it was on a volunteer basis as its a non profit organization. But this is more the style of work we are looking to complete, less corporate and more cinematic.

https://www.facebook.com/terenurevillagemarket (its the video with the heart of the thumbnail)

Thanks guys!!

jimmii

Registering for vat is no problem even if you don't think you will reach the threshold. Hiring someone like that is also no problem.

On my mobile now will check out the video later might be interested in getting something done would like something cinematic sounds good!

Vex Willems

steve_ wrote: »

But this is more the style of work we are looking to complete, less corporate and more cinematic.

Who's going to pay you? What sort of productions you going doing? Cinematic styled weddings? I'd be thinking the more corporates you can get the better.

This is something I've been looking into as I had a few potential productions coming up and I would have favourited the limited company route as it would offer some protection should something go wrong with a production but then I guess it may depend on what your doing.

steve_

The cinematic stuff I feel is obviously more fun and creative but that style would really only be fully utilized for gigs like events or weddings. However I have also worked with corporate clients and I've to lucky enough to work with a big marketing company here in Dublin and they will be putting my name out to clients as soon as my website launches.

Corporate work will be more of the bread and butter job as the format is somewhat more rigid. Plus there isn't much room to get to cinematic and technical in them jobs as a lot of them are just pieces to camera.

I don't want to turn away any corporate work as that where alot of the money is but I would like to ultimately end up down the more cinematic route in regards to adverts ect

braddun

you need clients

are you allowed steal former emplyers

steve_

braddun wrote: »

you need clients

are you allowed steal former emplyers

Potentially yes I could contact them. However I wouldn't do that as I mentioned above I will have access to cameras worth 30k for very cheap day rates and that's a good connection to keep.

I will generate some good business at the start thanks to the marketing company I've worked with, they will put out a marketing blast to their client list telling about my services along with the recommendation. Right now it's more about the how's and why's of starting a business opposed to getting clients which I guess is a good situation to be in

paulheu

from the OP it sounds like you handle and execute the 'practical' side of the business and are not really involved in the back end and collecting payments. It also seems your current employer is quite eager to let you go and even take the business you are currently doing for them with you as well as move into a more supplying role towards you.

That would, for me, raise a big fat red flag right there. Why would they be willing to do this? Could it be that you, your position in the company and the business you bring in/handle is actually not very profitable on the bottom line and they are more interested in doing 'dry hire' for you.

Now it may well be that you doing this work 'on your own' lowers overhead and makes it work, but I'd be more than a bit suspicious especially if your current employer is actively encouraging you to do what you are working towards.

steve_

Sorry I think there may be a bit of misunderstanding here. The work I do for my current employer is both generated and executed by them. I get paid a wage and that's about it. However I'm in the position where I've told my boss that I'm leaving to go out alone, however I will still conduct work for them on a freelance basis so I'll still have money coming in.

But the work I do will be completely separate from their business.

Edit: the marketing company I mention above are a client of my own. They will put the word out for me to their own clients. Its not my current employer who will do it

pedroeibar1

steve_ wrote: »

Hi guys I'm looking to go ahead and start up a company in the area of video production. Im just looking for some advise regarding the path I'm looking to take for the business.......

I myself specialise more in editing and motion graphics work ......the camera guy I've teamed with is very good at what he does.

Here is a video myself and my camera guy make for a village marke..... this is more the style of work we are looking to complete, less corporate and more cinematic.

https://www.facebook.com/terenurevillagemarket

Thanks guys!!

Hiring a "cinematic" video photographer for corporate work is the equivalent of hiring an "artistic" chef to run a restaurant. It does not work.

TBH neither do I like the photography in that video, too much soft focus, too many panning shots, too much "into the light", too many people shots - too clicheed. For me any promotional video should be product and place, blurry footage of children and dogs might be artistically cute and (questionably) creative but it does not sell product, which is what pays the rent. A proficient crew produces a result only as good as the direction they get. There are lots of very good directors and cameramen out there, not enough clients with appropriate budgets. Only the very best make money, the others would be better with a fulltime job elsewhere.

steve_

pedroeibar1 wrote: »

Hiring a "cinematic" video photographer for corporate work is the equivalent of hiring an "artistic" chef to run a restaurant. It does not work.

TBH neither do I like the photography in that video, too much soft focus, too many panning shots, too much "into the light", too many people shots - too clicheed. For me any promotional video should be product and place, blurry footage of children and dogs might be artistically cute and (questionably) creative but it does not sell product, which is what pays the rent. A proficient crew produces a result only as good as the direction they get. There are lots of very good directors and cameramen out there, not enough clients with appropriate budgets. Only the very best make money, the others would be better with a fulltime job elsewhere.

Thanks for the feedback regarding the video however the video brief for this job was specifically to capture the people and atmosphere of the event, not to sell a product. That was the goal and based of the clients feedback we reached that goal.

Hiring a cinematic cinematographer for corporate isnt necessary, however hiring a competent cameraman with a good eye for framing and composition is. The cinematic stuff can be put on the shelf for corporate shoots.

And I couldn't agree less that only the best make money, I've seen first hand that, that isn't true. My boss makes a hugely successful living and the quality of the work isn't "the best" it's good but he has a solid client base and makes a large amount of money on a monthly basis. Every business now is looking to have video content made, and the budgets vary of course from shoot to shoot. But saying only the best make money isn't the case

pedroeibar1

Thanks for the update – we’ve all had to do that, give a client what they want because they write the cheque…. In the early days of my business I called that type of work “prostitution” then I did it because I learned it was the price I had to pay to make ends meet – but I made sure that everyone knew what was in the brief. Otherwise the bad stuff rubs off on you. In your area/sector, have you listened to some of the recent cringeworthy self-made adverts on Newstalk? Do you remember the early adverts for Harvey Norman?

I reiterate - only the best make money. Lots of people/companies can make a short-term gain, the quick buck, but it is those who provide a quality product and stay the course that count - and make real money. The amateurs get found out after a while. Quality speaks for itself. Video production is a crowded field and there are some very good people out there.
Here is an advert to show a "brand" that is creative, sexy, artistic and quite subliminal. Do that quality and you will succeed, otherwise stick with fairs and weddings.

steve_

Again I fail to agree, my company has been in business 25 years and are still going making a good living doing good work. Unfortunately it's a business ravaged with "who you know" it's sad but it's true. I've got close connections with big companies. However I am only starting and I do want to develop my skills to a high level it'll take time and a lot of hard work but it's not unattainable. If I don't try it'll never happen.

But I do agree with you on some of the points you've made, it's a hard industry to crack

Steve it sounds like your going to build something pretty decent, and with all that equipment and the kinds of people your dealing with you need a Ltd company. You have too much to lose from one of the many things that could go wrong resulting in a liable case against you.

And from what your saying your going into a partnership set up, not a sole trader since theres two of you. Your reasoning for setting this partnership up instead of a ltd company is really flawed, its should actually result in the opposite conclusion that you have come to. "Partnerships' are very messy things when you fall out with the partner, and not knowing a guy too well gives a higher chance of falling out with him/her. In order to protect yourself and the company, drop the 400 quid or so and register the ltd company unless Ive misunderstood and your both setting up as separate sole traders?

antoinolachtnai

Even if you do great work, it doesn't necessarily mean you make money, unfortunately.

Looking at that Horseware video, which is a fine production, you have to ask yourself:

- what were the costs on that production (a rough guess is to count the number of people in the production and multiply by a number between 500 and 2500)?

- what was the margin for the production company?

- what risks did the production company take on?

- what was the margin for the various participants?

- how many productions of this quality and budget can Ireland support?

There are many different ways to make (and lose) money in the video production business.

You need to have a good focus on how you are going to get the sort of business you want and how you are going to make steady money from it.

jetsonx

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

You need to have a good focus on how you are going to get the sort of business you want and how you are going to make steady money from it.

Excellent point.

"One-hit wonder" customers do not make a business.

Let's say Big Corporation PLC Ireland gets you to do a video of their new Irish operation to show how dedicated, expert and professional they are. You do the video. They are really happy about it. But how are you going to get them back? It might be 2/3 years time before they need another one.

This is a growing market and video is going to explode in popularity in the next few years. But now you need to suss out the market then decide on a plan.

steve_

Its been over two years since i posted this thread and i thought i would post a little update on things. Its been an interesting two years to say the least and things have certainly shifted from my initial vision i had. I've settled nicely into the corporate side of things now. the dream of the cinematic stuff has all but gone now at this stage, i realize now just how much was involved with that side of things. Dealing with actors, detailed storyboards, hiring locations, post production costs it all got a big to much for one man on his own.

So i took a step back and focused on trying to deliver the best work i could to corporate clients and carving out a living that way, and honestly im so much happier this way. I can get in do my work, turn around an edit and get paid and that suits me just fine. I signed on with one client who had me travelling the world for most of last year. I got to visit places like London, Chicago, Atlanta, Australia and Hong Kong which was something i never envisioned happening.

One key factor for the success has to be put down to SEO i delved deep into that side of things and became pretty much obsessed with it, and things really paid off. My site ranks top of google now for my main search terms as of right now and the work that comes organically through the site is very regular.

I also signed up with several big corporates in Dublin doing their internal comms videos and social media content. And just recently carried out my first email marketing campaign which has brought in work from several new clients who do video on a regular basis.

It's been a pretty exciting two years i have to say, hopefully ill still be doing what im doing for years to come.