Making Videos for Clients - HARD TRUTHS
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- Опубликовано: 8 июл 2024
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00:35 Intro
02:07 1 You are not making your vision
03:51 2 You have to know how to creatively collaborate with people
05:35 3 - You are chasing job after job
07:03 4 - This is not a nine to five job
08:14 5 - It never gets easy to price videos
10:36 6 - Re-edits, re-edits, re-edits
12:41 7 - It's who you know
14:16 7.5 - You will never be the best
16:02 8 - You can't fall behind on gear
17:14 Epilogue
I strongly relate to all that's said in this video. Thank you for putting it out there, Thomas. It also gets better with time. The hard truths are only hard when they come up. Eventually we let them go as something that hurts. :)
I’m glad you can relate too!!! Glad you stopped by
I've not been up at night working since I've let my clients know I am charging regular fee from 9 to 5 on week days and 150% other times.
Those "super urgent gigs" change to "oh you know, whenever you have the time, really" most of the times.
100%. Someone asks you to work weekends, you ask if they're paying OT. Someone tried to make me work during the Christmas break once... I was almost sad when they gave up, as i would've made BANK on that. Hahahaha
I've been in this business for nearly 20 years now and this is all true. When it comes to understanding that you're not the best. I think it's important to remember that the reason you got into this business to begin with is because you love to see great stuff that surprises you. So when you see someone doing something great, appreciate it and learn from it.
Thanks!!! Good point
The best in what? In my opionion one can always strive to be the best in the niche and area one is working in. E.g. corporate videos in the midwest or whatever. The comparison with Mr. Tarantion is unfair since it's a global industry, different budget, different target group etc. So everyone:
be the best in your area. @Epic Light Media
Love the portrait. Love the 4:3 ratio. Great speech. It really resonated with me in almost every aspect. My biggest weakness is networking and dealing with people I don’t know, and it raises up a question whether I should proceed doing this or find another craft.
I am extremely shocked by this. And extremely grateful. And extremely confused why. Thank you ELM. Also, I would 100% be interested in the course. I feel like there's a missing category of courses right now between the solo videographer and the film world. Maybe something like 2 to 40 person crews for commercials if you know where I'm going with this haha
totally agree on this
I legit just saw your video 2days ago or so.... Solid
Love this video!!
Inspiring advice which is applicable to many domains 👏
You’re so kind!! It’s interesting to think about what creatives of all kind have in common
Oh man, I always give the clients a couple songs to choose from before editing. I've been through that whole song ordeal many times and knew I had to put my foot down or else I would never get done with the job.
The "you'll never be the best" part hits home so much. This is a very humanizing video and is so healing.
So true. Watched the entire video. WE just had a killer March. Followed by nothing in April. It can be tough mentally to work through the high/lows in this business. And unlike what a lot of youtubers make it seem, it's not all glam. Almost 80% of our time is spent flying a desk, dealing with business side of things and can be lonely as well in a small company.
This is such an important video for people to watch. Equipment, light, sound and techniques are all good but its so important for new filmmakers to understand the realities of video production.
This video was literally more usefull than four years of film school. Greatful, inspired and extremely confused. Thank you Thomas and Epic Light Media. Subscribed to Ryan Mickey right away. 👏
you know when someone says "me too." and you sudden realize you're not alone? even though you knew you probably weren't, and that others had the same struggles / difficult thoughts. The summation of this video was like you just saying "me too" to me. thank you. we're in this shit show of an amazing field together!
I’m so happy you can relate with me too!!
I would instantly buy your course on making corporate videos! I work at a high tech robotics company where I make videos on regular basis - interviews, product shoots and training videos. It is often really difficult for people to understand that it takes quite some time to light a set and have the equipment set up. I felt so understood when you said "2 hours - ok it won't look good, but I will do a really good job on the edit" - Thanks for that line and the great video, Thomas!
Thanks!!
The timing of this video couldn't be more perfect! Outside of my Coffee Nerd RUclips Channel I own and operate a video production company, Meyers Films. We have several large nationwide and global clients that we produce monthly content for and it gets hard after a while to feel passionate about what you're working on when it's not your vision. We just completed what we thought was a fantastic edit for a commercial for a company and they basically want to re-cut the whole thing cause they weren't clear about what they wanted up front. I took it personally and felt like I provided a bad edit but then I thought to myself I'm a great editor and our visions just didn't align on this version. Long story short you have to be open and okay working with people who don't have an end vision, and/or be open to other peoples vision even if you don't think it's as good as your ideas!
"We don't make movies. We make movies for our clients" is the absolute truth. Too many directors/writers want to make a Jaws movie when the client just needs a commercial for pool cleaning services. Thank you for making this video!
When it comes to reviews/re-edits, it’s all about preproduction. Every question you don’t ask in prep of the client, it’s another re-edit you have to do in post. I ask LOTS of questions in prep for my projects and very seldom go past 2 revisions.
I would sign up for a business course. I'm trying to pivot towards business oriented clients. I would enjoy and trust your course enough to invest in it. You've shared so much experience already that's been so useful during my early work.
No-one else could make me watch a 20-minute black-and-white monologue in that aspect ratio. You (and Jamie Windsor) are all the neural nourishment I need.
My first full year of being a wedding filmmaker, I lived solely off savings from the last 6 months of my last full time job, since the wedding film business wasn't built yet. 2 seasons down, and a ton of editing jobs later, I'm just now getting the hang of everything, and focusing a lot on building my brand (how the world perceives me). I'm slowly building awareness that I exist and my work is good, but I know owning my own business is always going to be a battle! To me, the only "secure" job is one that I make for myself, because I know I have the power to make it work, or dissolve and start something else if I need to. With a corporate job, I can be fired at any time for any reason, and I know I'm not helping the world the best I can if I do something not using the abilities and skills I've worked so hard to develop.
Doing this work at agency, small biz, midmarket, enterprise, and freelance for almost 20 years - you are dead on with EVERY single point. Great video.
On the point about picky clients that don't pay much. I worked in advertising (on the agency side) a few years before ending up in photo and video work, and one of the most fundamental problems was clients that didn't know what they want. As a result, they try to make themselves more important by being picky and critical about what is presented to them. This makes client management, especially managing expectations, absolutely essential long before removing a lens cap or setting up a light stand.
A wise man once told me - "You can have it fast and cheap, but it won't be good. You can have it cheap and good, but it won't be fast, or you can have it good and fast, but it won't be cheap." You can only have two. Client's who expect all three should do it themselves. ;) While it took 25 years, I found that looking for those red flags early helps so much, keeps you with the right clients who value your work, your input and collaboration. No one person has a perfect vision, it's about finding what works best. Thanks for the honest video!
I always cry when I watch videos from this channel. Mainly because i realize that I'm somehow still subscribed, but also for the talent and attention to detail that's on display.
This video was so good Thomas that I had to unsubscribe twice!
Me too
😂😂
If unscubsribe twice its mean that you subscribe?😵💫🙃
@Thomas Fransson @Mijolsztyn: I gues he dedicately created TWO youTube accounts so he could subscribe and then unsubscribe on both accounts. True dedication! Love it. @Epic Light Media
😂😂😂
Needed this! Thank you!!
I’ve been doing this work for over 20 years and everything you have said is correct. You might’ve dwelled a little more on the idea of not being attached to your creative work for clients. You are making it for them not for you. Never get emotional about it. Ideally..
I needed this - THANK YOU 💘
3:27 I feel the pain.
"Go away" Works every time.
This was really encouraging! Thanks for sharing.
This is so good! I love the transparency. The struggle is real.
I needed this. Thank you.
This really resonated with me! I really appreciate what you had to say and have felt a lot of the same things myself doing video work for the last several years.
Also, make the course! Your content has been SO educational and inspiring to me (and probably plenty of others) and I know a course with your knowledge but also your unique humor would be a hit.
Phenomenal video, watched it just when I needed it. Thank you!
I really appreciate your candor and have always enjoyed your videos.
What a great, honest, insightful video!
Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for this truthful advice! Definitely was helpful!
Exactly the thoughts I had to hear in this exact moment of my life. Thank you so much!
Wesome idea! Can't wait for that course!
This is a good set of hard truths that apply to more than just this industry. Thank you for sharing.
“Show up! Do stuff! Don’t give up!” Great life tip❤
Yes!!
@@EpicLightMedia I'm going to print that and hang it above our production teams office door (Local PBS Station).
This video is a compilation of all the things people don't typically tell you about this industry (and a lot of creative work in general). I work in post production now, but throughout college I worked at a videographer / cinematographer for a bunch of clients. I didn't even work that long and I experienced a handful of the things you have talked about.
Now that I work in VFX the hours are a lot more predictable, but I still struggle with the lack of creative expression. The simple reality of working for someone else is that you rarely make the big creative decisions. In the case of post production you never get to make creative decisions. You have to live with putting the smallest amount of yourself into the work you do in order to please the client or your supervisor/producer.
The whole bit about understanding you are not the best at what you do hit me like a brick once I started working at a studio. I went from being the only person who could do VFX on set to being in a room full of more talented artists than me. Pro-tip : Being around people who are better than you is a good thing. Take the ego hit and just try to learn from them as much as you can.
Also I wish I had heard the 'custom furniture' analogy to freelance work before. I totally used to price my work the same for totally different clients and needs.
This is really helpful to hear from someone who is really in the game, as beginner i can relate to almost everything and it’s refreshing to hear that those struggles are a common thing. :)
Probably the best video of 2023! Thank you!
As someone in the same industry I couldn’t agree more. Thanks so much for making this. ❤
Really appreciate your candor. I think it's super important to be an optimistic realist in this industry. There's too much salesmanship and self-congratulatory hype-people on the internet and your honesty and pragmatism is so refreshing.
Wish you nothing but success in both your commercial and creative endeavors! Big fan of your content.
This video was full of 🔥🔥! I didn't expect to watch over 20 minutes but I stayed because it was all stuff I needed to hear. Thanks man!
Thank you for sharing and yes, all you said is true!
Spot on and totally relatable!
Excellent video. Thank you!
i can't tell you how appreciated you are for putting this out there. these are things us filmmakers need to hear and prepare for. thank you. I've watched a few videos here, Subscribed to Ryan Mickey, and I'm loving this vibe. I'll be sticking around.
*Looking at this video I realize i was the person talking... actually EVERY SINGLE TRUTH is there... EVERY SINGLE ONE!! I was in the industry around 15 years and leave it because of all those truths...*
Genuinely thank you for this video. I needed to hear this from another professional. Relate to many of the topics.
Man, this is the reason I stopped chasing photography as a full time job. I was getting money and gigs but I only really cared about 30% of the work I was getting. My heart and soul were just not in the other gigs and it showed so I stopped.
I want to get into filmmaking but I am scared of falling into that trap again but like you said, theres bills to be paid.
This is such a valuable message, and in need of remembering for anyone who hears it.
I can 100% relate to what you said. And I would also thank you for speaking clearly. It's fun listening to you. Now, I may sound like an awkward fanboy but when it comes to sound recording, so many channels on RUclips fail. So thumbs up for yours!
At some points I was very happy that you said out loud what I experienced plenty of times in my career. Having to know the right people to get jobs, needing to drop clients who start asking for too much, having times without proper work.
"and do it in two hours!" Hahahaha man do I relate to that. Ive found a niche in the run n gun video world and we all can agree its not the ideal way of making quality videos but like you, I've embraced it and decided I woll be the best damn run n gun videographer out there and will not compare myself to production teams and filmmakers. Its really given me a purpose!
The saving aspect hit hard. I need to gather a pile of savings. Thanks for the realism!
The honesty in this video is special, thank you
I’ve been a current affairs cameraman for over 20 years (and in the video industry 30 years) but EVERY point you talk about is right! And it never gets any easier to work 7days a week or to see other people outperform you. But it’s still the best job in the world.
I can relate to every single word you said! It´s really good to hear other professionals talk about this things. It´s pretty rare. Thank you very much! Great content!
Wow.. this is amazing confirmation on many things I felt before. Thank you.
Brilliant video! Really well done and insightful! Love the "we build furniture" callout.
Super helpful video, thank you! I'm very interested in this course.
You guys are one of my favorite YT channels, and this video is a great example of why. In a world where everyone seems to "crank the saturation" for their 15 minutes, it's really nice to hear some optimistic realism. Well done!
I can't put into words how much I truly appreciate this honest sharing of knowledge. I work at a private school making videos and I've learned the majority of these lessons on the job. It was crushing! But knowing that this is not my singular experience but everyone experience has made it much easier to deal. Thank you for making this. I will definitely get the school to pay whatever you charge for your course! I'm highly interested in transitioning to the next phase.
This is a video that came to me at just the right time. Thank you so much for the extra push during a crossroads-type moment.
Excellent video, Thomas/ELM! Your video course suggestion sounds like a pretty solid package.
SO helpful, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this video! I've experienced everything you mentioned but it's great to hear that other business owners deal with alot of the same things.
Thank you for this 🙏🏼
Such a good message in your video. Everything you said I can totally relate to it.
Oh boy.... such a good video! This is way we do what we do! ELM! You guys just rock it!
This is great. I always try to remember how fortunate I am to be able to do this job. To have a creative outlet, however small at times, and to make a decent living. It's so rare to find people who can say that. Hope you stay passionate.
I can def relate to this. Thanks for being so venerable. One thing I like to say is “I’m not the best but I’m on my way”!
really enjoyed this video. Alot of truth as I have dealt with many of theses examples as well. Cheers to you and your team.
I cant say enough about the honesty in this video. Well done! the transparency is much appreciated.
Thank you for this video Thomas! Almost 5 years in and I feel every one of these points fully. Glad to know I’m not alone!
This is absolutely beautiful man. Well told. Great truths. Humble. This is why you're always going to have a bunch of good clients, because you care.
Out of all my subscriptions, you provide the best value. Lights on and stopped down.
One of my favourite uploads from you to date Thomas. Seriously, I could watch this 5 times and comment on just about everything you say! Really good hearing someone explain exactly how I feel but.... Also being a music creative, I'm making steps to take the leap and favour my own projects over client work. Yes, I earn a decent living, love the gear and skills I collect and use, I have good clients and haven't had a gap in work for over a decade but I'm making films to help other people's dreams come true. I'm older than you, I've done my time (and I work way too much!) You only live once and for me it's time to be that guy who stops the boring work but keeps buying the exciting, shiny new gear and continues growing skills but now, it's for my own creativity.
Thomas, continue to dream.
This is a very good and relatable video. A lot of people think of client videos like making movies, but approaching them more like a business is sometimes more realistic.
There is so much value in the authenticity and honesty that is in this video. Anyone considering pursuing this path absolutely needs to watch this first.
Thanks for taking the time to share mate and I think epic light media would create an incredible course about creating videos for businesses and would be another essential for people in the industry 👌
You spoke truth 100% of this video especially about the cheaper clients! Omg the cheapest ones are the biggest headaches
This is probably the best video I’ve seen from you guys, like ever. There’s so much truth in it, it’s almost scary. I’ve experienced so much you’re describing and can relate to pretty much everything you’re saying - and I’m only in 3rd year doing photo/video professionally in my day job and as a freelancer for hire.
If you do a video course, this video should be a) THE video advertising it (it makes you credible beyond any doubt) and b) the first video in the course, so folks know what they’re getting into.
Every word is pure gold! Wish this video was live when I started out…
Brilliant video, you hit the nail on the head with all your points. A video course would help a lot of people so this would be a great idea.
All of these are very deep and important points that people rarely talk about! Especially the ones about comparison and telling your family that you're going to try becoming a filmmaker. More people should see this!
Ahhh this is such a refreshing video in the feelings I am experiencing right now. I've freelanced for over 5 years, and this past week one of my corporate consistent *good paying* gigs shut down their entire facility leaving me out to dry. Which sucks, but hey, here we are, gonna push for new work, and keep doing all the other things that bring income in.
I love this channel, and I feel like we are pals.
Yes. Make the course! I want to see how you do it!
This video is a gold mine of wisdom! Thank you for sharing your candid experiences. Something else that might be worth mentioning is the importance of pre-production. There have been several projects that we've worked on where pre-production was glossed over and there was a mentality of "we don't know exactly what we're filming, but we'll figure it out in the edit". Pretty much every time this happened there were tons of revisions that could have been avoided if all stakeholders were aligned prior to production. Making sure that everyone is onboard with the fundamentals such as video length, style, target audience, messaging, etc. will save you many headaches, and will also serve as a great opportunity to build trust with your clients.
Easily the most valuable video you’ve made. This is gold.
Probably the only course I'd ever buy to be honest, always on the look out for your new videos because they're so insightful.
3 years into my videography career. I wish this video came out just before i quit my full time office job. But its still so relevant now
I truly appreciate that fact that you gave another person the spotlight. I have not even look at Ryan's video, but I will subscribe. Actually II just stumbled across your video. So thank you and thank you.
You just said everything I have been saying for ages working in this industry. Thanks 👍
Thanks for this video, started my video business last summer and feeling everything you mentioned - I also do music on the side! Trying to enjoy the ups and downs of working for yourself creatively. I worked on some film sets and decided that long term it would burn me out but I still like working on smaller projects for myself and crafting the best images I can.
I've been doing corporate videos for big companies since 3 years and I love how much I'm learning while running the interviews. Love this job and I agree with everything you said! Ciao! ✋
Great video as always ELM! Thank you for talking on things that happen in the industry that not everyone talks about. It’s not always about the next gear or edit, it’s life, this is our livelihoods and finding the joy in our creative grind! Do the course man!!!
Thanks for making this. So much truth. I agree on every front. I have lived these realities. Thank you for being honest.
Thank you so much for this video. I’ve been a full-time freelance filmmaker for 13 years 🤯 & I’ve never heard my life explained to me in such a thoughtful way.
For many years I was wondering when I could get my shot with a bigger client or big artist… its finally happening next month, I’m directing a music video for… (I’ll come back and edit this after it’s done) and it was a combination of a few things- being well-known as a music video director & being at the right place at the right time. ❤
Thank you again for this video & all your videos.