My Journey to Running a Video Production Company Part 2
Every video producer has a story. A winding path of wins, failures, teachers, false starts, and moments of clarity. In this podcast episode, I shared Part 2 of mine. But rather than recap the episode here, I want to draw out some practical lessons you can apply to your own career or business, whether you're just getting started or pushing through the next growth phase.
These are the kinds of lessons you don’t learn in a course. You learn them by doing, by failing, by reflecting. And hopefully, by hearing someone else’s story and recognising a little of your own.
1. The Creative Path Will Test You
When the head of my film school stood in front of our class and said, "This year will probably break you," I didn’t take it seriously. But she was right. The creative path will test you emotionally, financially, and mentally. It strips away your assumptions and demands that you rebuild on stronger ground.
Takeaway: Expect difficulty. Creative work isn't supposed to be easy. It's supposed to shape you.
2. Watch Out for Bitterness. It’s Contagious
Not everyone who teaches wants to be teaching. Some are there because the industry was too hard to survive in. That resentment can seep into a culture and quietly lower your standards. I saw it early, and I knew I didn’t want to go down that path.
Takeaway: Protect your mindset. Surround yourself with people who are building, not just reminiscing or resenting.
3. Commercial Work Is Not a Compromise
At some point, I realised I didn’t need to pursue the path of an artist feel fulfilled. I enjoyed the work. The structure, the deadlines, the collaboration. I liked solving problems for clients. Choosing a commercial path wasn’t selling out. It was building a sustainable creative life.
Takeaway: Don’t let outdated definitions of success limit you. There is dignity and purpose in commercial creativity.
4. Know When to Let Go
Saying goodbye isn’t always easy. Whether it’s to a business partner, a client, or an old idea of who you were. But sometimes, the thing holding you back is the thing you’re scared to let go of. I walked away from a potential business partnership because I knew I was more committed than he was. That decision shaped everything that followed.
Takeaway: Trust your instincts. If something or someone is holding you back, be willing to move on.
5. Draw From Life, Not Just Technique
The film that got me into film school wasn’t technical perfection. It was full of stories from travel, odd jobs, conversations with strangers. Clients don’t just hire you for editing skills. They hire you to tell stories that connect. And great stories come from living fully.
Takeaway: Step away from the screen. Live. Travel. Talk to people. Pay attention. Then bring that richness back to your work.
6. Balance Dream and Engine
I called my business Dream Engine, and the name still holds meaning. Dream is the creativity, emotion, and vision. Engine is the discipline, structure, and systems that make it run. A successful production company needs both.
Takeaway: Don’t just chase inspiration. Build the systems that let your creativity thrive.
7. There’s Power in Naming Things
I went through several name ideas before settling on Dream Engine. At first, it didn’t even feel quite right. But over time, it grew in meaning. It became a north star, a reminder of what I was building and why. Naming something gives it identity. It turns an idea into something you can commit to.
Takeaway: Don’t underestimate the power of choosing a name, a theme, or a phrase. It can help you stay grounded when things get hard.
Final Thought:
There is no single path into video production. Mine was winding. Yours will be too. But the lessons are there if you’re paying attention.
Your turn:
What are the hidden lessons in your own journey? Not the big moments, but the small, quiet turning points. That’s where the real gold often is.