In 2017, we made a mistake that nearly killed our young video production company. The worst part was that it was completely avoidable.
No matter where you are in this journey, whether you are brand new or a veteran, I genuinely believe this list will save you time, stress, and possibly your business. What follows are the eleven biggest mistakes we have made while building our company, and how we managed to survive them.
We started in 2013 with a borrowed DSLR, no film school, no business background, and no real plan beyond wanting to make cool work. Today, we are a team of thirteen full-time staff with a rotating group of freelancers producing corporate work and documentaries for PBS and HBO. One mistake on this list matters more than all the others. Most people guess it wrong.
Act One: Common Misconceptions
These first four mistakes feel harmless. They are not.
Mistake 1: Gear Acquisition Syndrome
Gear Acquisition Syndrome, or GAS, will kill you. I love new gear. We all do. But going into debt for equipment your clients do not care about is one of the fastest ways to sink a young company.
When we started, owning a high-end camera actually mattered because the quality gap was obvious. Today, a three thousand dollar camera or even an iPhone can compete with a sixty thousand dollar rig in the eyes of most clients.
I own an Arri Amira and I love it. The image is beautiful. It has never gotten us a single client. People are not paying for a sensor. They are paying for expertise and a low-stress experience.
The rule is simple. Rent gear and let the project pay for it. Only buy expensive equipment once your revenue is predictable. A large gear loan early on is like swimming with an anchor around your neck.
Mistake 2: Not Knowing Your Weaknesses
Early on, my partner Dave and I decided we would do our own accounting. We bought a box of donuts, opened QuickBooks, and committed fully. Twenty minutes later, we called Dave’s sister, who is an accountant, and hired her.
That decision probably saved us from serious trouble. There was no world in which we would do it faster or better than a professional.
Small owners think about pennies saved. Growing owners think about hours freed. If your accountant costs seventy five dollars an hour but saves you from losing tens of thousands in missed opportunities, the math is obvious.
Mistake 3: Thinking Quality Is Enough
We believed that if our work was good enough, the business would take care of itself. That lie almost starved us.
Quality is only one third of the equation. You need marketing so people know you exist, quality so they say yes the first time, and reliability so they come back.
Clients do not rehire artists. They rehire people who are responsive, calm, and dependable. Ignoring social media was a major mistake. When we post consistently, I can directly trace serious clients back to just a handful of posts.
The rule here is simple. Once a week, put out one public signal that you are alive.
Mistake 4: Not Getting Off the Truck
Most of us start companies because we love shooting and editing. So we stay on the truck forever. Growth requires getting off the truck and letting others do the work.
A hard truth we learned is that most clients do not care if you are personally on set. They care that their problem is solved.
Once a month, send a trusted crew on a small shoot instead of yourself. Nothing breaks fear faster than seeing everything go just fine without you.
Act Two: When the Stakes Get Real
Mistakes five through seven are where ego, fear, and emotional decisions quietly start killing otherwise talented companies.
Mistake 5: Arguing With the Client
Even if you win the argument, you lose the relationship.
Business arguments should be procedural, not emotional. For small scope changes, do not nickel and dime. For larger ones, send a clear contract addendum.
Creative arguments are even more dangerous. On client work, you are not the author. You are a consultant. If you want full creative control, make your own film.
Mistake 6: Taking Revisions Personally
Client notes hurt. The mistake is replying too fast while emotional.
Abraham Lincoln kept unsent letters in his desk drawer. You should keep unsent emails too. Sleeping on feedback often reveals that the notes are not personal and frequently make the work better.
The rule is to look past the symptom and find the real issue underneath.
Mistake 7: Betting the Company on One Project
This is the mistake that almost killed us.
Four years in, we poured everything into one massive documentary project. Contracts were signed. Budgets approved. Then the brand went out of business and the owner went to prison.
We had no backup plan and no cash flow. The mistake was not taking the big project. The mistake was letting everything else stop.
No matter how solid things look, never stop marketing or pitching until the money is actually in your account.
Act Three: Sustainability
This is where companies either mature or disappear.
Mistake 8: Ignoring the Film Community
When work increases, lack of flexibility can destroy you. Community creates flexibility.
We share resources with competitors and maintain strong relationships with freelancers. Your goal is to build a deep bench of people who can break bottlenecks when things get busy.
Mistake 9: Not Investing in Yourself
You need passion projects. They keep you creative, calm, and relevant.
We funded a short film called Throw about a yo-yo performer. It became the best marketing we ever did.
Aim for one personal project a year. Invest in education, mentors, and growth, not just gear.
Mistake 10: Bad Hiring
Hiring is its own skill. A few rules have served us well.
It is better to hire no one than the wrong person. Attitude often matters more than skill. Always call references. You learn more in those conversations than you expect.
Mistake 11: Not Knowing Yourself
Running a company is not for everyone. I have learned that I enjoy being a player-coach. Others do not.
If you hate managing people or stressing about payroll, freelancing or a stable job may be a better fit. Get clear on whether you value freedom, stability, money, or creativity.
Bonus Mistake: Quitting Too Soon
It took us seven years before momentum felt real. Most people quit right before things start working.
Building a company is not about talent alone. It is about showing up and not collapsing when things get hard.
Final Question
If you had to reduce this list to one mistake that determines survival, which one would it be?
Drop your answer in the comments.
What Comes Next
Knowing what to shoot is only half the battle.
The next step is learning:
I’ve got deeper videos on all of that, and I’ll link them below.
If this kind of clear, practical filmmaking guidance is useful to you, consider subscribing to our youtube channel.
Make docs.
Move hearts.
Peace.
Darren – Showrunner, Director, Coach
👉 Watch the episode and explore our filmmaking playlist for practical lessons on story, shooting, and editing.
