Providing a detailed break-down of the skills required to establish and grow a profitable production company, this book enables content creators and filmmakers to navigate the commercial video production world and the needs of its clients.
Drawing on professional experience in the industry as well historical examples, author Tom Vaughan-Mountford illustrates the ways in which producers can avoid common pitfalls and better manage their business, projects, and clients. Making the corporate world accessible for filmmakers, this book covers all aspects of the video production process, equipping creatives with the tools—and the mindset—to offer their skills to paying clients in a reliable, repeatable, and above all profitable manner.
This book is ideal for filmmakers and content creators looking to establish a successful video production business, and features an online resource pack with example production paperwork including a call sheet, and example script re-writes.
Chapter 1 Why Are You Doing This?
Video is booming, but it is also becoming a commodity.
Chapter 2 Getting down to Business
Business formalities to implement before searching for clients.
Chapter 3 Working from Anywhere
Is an office space for your production company still a vital consideration?
Chapter 4 Assembling Your Team
Attracting the best talent to form your killer production team.
Chapter 5 The Startup Shopping List
What constitutes an essential business expense?
Chapter 6 Promoting Your Business
Making sure prospective clients know who you are, and what you’re about.
Chapter 7 Business Networking
Talking to the people that matter while promoting yourself with integrity.
Chapter 8 The Gig Economy
Finding and securing good clients in an ocean of bad briefs.
Chapter 9 Public Sector Tenders
The ultimate test of your patience and administrative skills.
Chapter 10 Receiving Your First Brief
Reading between the lines to deduce what your client truly wants.
Chapter 11 Production Budgets
Estimating the costs and profitability of your creative ideas.
Chapter 12 The Creative Pitch
Getting your creative ideas into the mind of your potential client.
Chapter 13 How to Write an Awesome Script
Producing interesting videos about even the most dull subjects.
Chapter 14 Keeping Your Production Organised
Turning your organizational skills into a competitive advantage.
Chapter 15 Coaching On-Camera Contributors
Helping your clients convey their message with clarity and energy.
Chapter 16 Communicating with Your Clients
Keeping projects running smoothly by precise communication.
Chapter 17 Approval and Delivery
Diplomatically managing and accommodating the input of clients.
Chapter 18 Doing It by the Book
Understanding the rules of copyright, and why you must obey them.
Chapter 19 Behaving like a Pro
Developing an enviable reputation for integrity and professionalism.
Chapter 20 Managing Your Tech
Building a technical infrastructure that will not let you down.
Chapter 21 Managing Your Finances
Getting paid for your work, forecasting ahead, and staying in business.
Biography
Tom Vaughan-Mountford has worked in the commercial video production and television advertising industry since the 1990s. He has worked in a variety of roles on several thousand productions, spanning a diverse spectrum of business sectors. Tom is currently the senior creative of a long-established video production company in the UK.
‘Managing A Video Production Company is a terrific book for producers who are starting out in this business, those who are ready to level up, or those who need help getting their existing production company running more smoothly. This concise, well-written, and funny guide is a must-read.’
Arthur Vincie, independent director/producer, Three Trembling Cities and Found In Time.
‘Managing a Video Production Company is essential reading for anyone thinking of starting such a company. If you want to know what you don’t know, you should start here. This practical guide will give you the tools to understand what’s vital as you set up and run your own company.
Chris Hansen, Independent Filmmaker and Chair, Baylor University Department of Film & Digital Media
