Creatives Grab Coffee

Creatives Grab Coffee

by Creatives Grab Coffee
EntrepreneurshipMarketing
Season 6
#115 Experience-Based Hiring & AI Tools (ft. LivaLittle)
In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, we sit down with JD Gonzalez, founder of LivaLittle, a boutique production company based in Brooklyn, New York. JD is a cinematographer, producer, and director who's built his business around a unique philosophy: experience-based hiring — rotating crews and giving people the opportunities they need to grow their careers. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro: Meet JD Gonzalez of LivaLittle 01:50 – Experience-based hiring & a DEI-focused production company 03:58 – Building a network by rotating crews 10:23 – Getting remembered in a new market: consistency over time 12:17 – JD's backstory: film school & teaching high school film 17:00 – Crafting the Image: running free filmmaking workshops 23:46 – Virtual production & partnering with rental houses 25:09 – Why film education should be free 27:19 – No one can steal your perspective 30:10 – Could Creatives Grab Coffee go live & in person? 31:21 – Why JD moved from Denver to New York City 34:30 – Breaking into the NYC market 36:38 – Does owning a camera still win you work? 39:11 – Consigning gear with a rental house 40:41 – The logistics of filming in NYC: trucks, insurance & freight elevators 48:22 – Branding, SEO & landing direct-to-client work 51:23 – Running a lean, direct-to-client production model 53:05 – Building PrepViz: a scene design & previz app made with Claude Code 56:31 – Pre-Checklist: simplifying gear lists & prep 58:49 – Teaching yourself to build apps with AI 1:02:41 – Building a custom CRM 1:03:54 – Are you locked into one AI platform? 1:09:44 – The ups and downs of the AI train 1:11:41 – Standing out when everyone uses AI: you get out what you put in 1:16:04 – Wrap-up & where to find JD Connect with JD Gonzalez: Website: https://www.livalittle.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdgonzalesdp 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions #VideoProduction #Filmmaking #Podcast #CreativesGrabCoffee #VideoBusiness #Cinematographer #ClaudeCode #AITools #NYCFilmmaking #ProductionCompany
S6 · E115
Jun 12, 2026
1:21:38
#114 TV Doc, RFPs, and AI (ft. Bee Video Productions)
Brigitte Sachse of Bee Video Productions returns for her third visit to talk shop with Dario and Kyrill. We get into how Bee Video landed a documentary series on TVO ("The Nature of Design"), why animation became their secret weapon, and the recurring theme of the whole episode: diversifying your work, your income, and even your project timelines so you never have all your eggs in one basket. We also dig into whether AI video is actually a threat (spoiler: not yet), the great raw-footage-and-project-files debate, the pain of government RFPs, public pricing, SEO, and a couple of brutal "client didn't pay us" war stories — plus the copyright-strike trick that gets you paid. 🎧 More episodes: https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com/episodes/ Timestamps 00:00 Catching Up with Brigitte (Bee Video Productions) 01:00 "The Nature of Design": Pitching a Doc Series to TVO 05:20 How Animation Became Their Secret Weapon 07:30 Working with a Broadcaster vs. a Corporate Client 11:10 Making a Passion Project Profitable 14:15 Why a Diversity of Timelines Prevents Burnout 19:35 Why Is Everyone So Busy Despite the Economy? 21:45 Is AI Video a Real Threat? 29:45 Raw Footage, Project Files & the "Costco Hot Dog" of Post 41:45 Government RFPs: The 50-Page Slot Machine 55:00 What's Next: Personalized Video & a Shared Studio 01:03:30 The Real ROI of a Podcast + SEO 01:06:15 Should You Make Your Pricing Public? 01:14:40 Getting Stiffed & the Copyright-Strike Fix 01:25:35 Wrap-Up 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S6 · E114
Jun 5, 2026
1:30:14
#113 Building a Values-Driven Production Company (ft. Tiny Studios)
Welcome back to another episode of Creatives Grab Coffee! In this episode, we are joined by Ed Rowe and Celia Hodgson from Tiny Studios. Tiny Studios is a B Corp certified production company based in London. They work across various sectors to produce impactful web and social content that truly shifts the needle. Today, we dive into their journey from freelance life to agency ownership, the importance of building a healthy on-set culture, and what it's like to navigate an agency acquisition while staying true to your core values. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tiny Studios 07:00 The Journey from Freelancer to Company 13:56 Building a Team and Company Structure 19:57 Navigating Client Expectations and Budgeting 29:02 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations 29:48 Building Through Word of Mouth 34:25 Navigating Gender in the Industry 37:47 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Filmmakers 41:06 Challenging the Burnout Mentality 49:29 Understanding Client Value Propositions 53:42 The Journey of Acquisition and Integration 01:04:37 Building a Pipeline for Success 01:06:55 Navigating the Acquisition Process 01:09:59 The Value of B Corp Certification 01:16:00 Preparing for B Corp: A Guide for Businesses 01:21:04 The Importance of Documentation and Processes 01:25:01 Final Thoughts and Future Directions 01:30:02 Outro 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S6 · E113
Apr 23, 2026
1:31:36
#112 Expanding to Multiple Cities & Potential Career Change (ft. Tone Films)
In this conversation, Andrei from Tone Films shares his journey of starting a videography business during the pandemic, the challenges he faced, and the strategies he employed to grow his company. He discusses the importance of SEO, building a reliable team of videographers, and the creative processes involved in producing high-quality content. Andrei also reflects on his aspirations for the future, including a potential transition into accounting and the importance of work-life balance. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Birth of Tone Films 03:08 Learning the Videography Trade 05:43 Expanding the Business 09:03 Building a Reliable Team 12:09 The Importance of SEO 14:56 Vetting Videographers 17:47 Editing and Delivery Process 21:00 Creative Projects and Pre-Production 23:48 Communication and Client Relations 27:09 Future Aspirations and Career Transition 46:43 Reflecting on Life and Happiness 49:06 Balancing Work and Personal Life 51:37 Daily Routines and Time Management 54:03 Exploring Career Paths and Future Aspirations 57:06 The Challenges of Live Production 01:00:08 Building a Business and Future Ventures 01:03:41 Outro 🎙️ About Our Guest Andrei Tone Founder & Creative Director — Tone Films 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S6 · E112
Feb 11, 2026
1:05:15
#111 Filming Under Fire (ft. Highlight Films)
In this episode, we sit down with Noam Shalev, founder of Highlight Films, to discuss a side of the production industry few get to see. Based in Israel, Noam’s team handles everything from high-end corporate shoots to gritty news coverage in active conflict zones. We dive into what it really means to be a "fixer" , how remote production technology has allowed directors in LA to direct crews in Tel Aviv , and the massive logistical pivot Noam’s company made on October 7th—shifting from seven corporate productions to managing 15 news crews overnight. Noam also opens up about the emotional toll of documenting history , the safety protocols required when filming under fire , and why, despite the chaos, he refuses to leave. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:21 - From Doc Filmmaker to "The Fixer" 02:08 - Defining the Role: What does a Fixer actually do? 02:45 - How COVID changed remote production forever 07:17 - Why Noam started doing corporate work 11:09 - October 7th: Pivoting from corporate shoots to war coverage overnight 15:56 - Safety Logistics: Walkie-talkie apps and missile alerts 17:22 - Storytime: Hiding tapes in underwear in Iraq 20:55 - The emotional toll of interviewing survivors 34:55 - The impact of political instability on the tech sector 37:40 - Managing a business when staff are called to reserve duty 43:12 - Why stay? The pull of "Home" vs. moving to LA 47:51 - "Real Chaos": Why cameras are treated like weapons 50:47 - Building a reputation without advertising 56:01 - Protecting the business: Deposits and spotting bad clients 1:05:40 - Closing thoughts 🎙️ About Our Guest Noam Shalev Founder & Creative Director — Highlight Films 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S6 · E111
Feb 5, 2026
1:08:53
#110 New Years Goals, Growth, & Gen AI (ft. Signature Video Group)
Welcome to Season 6 of Creators Grab Coffee! To kick off 2026, we’re joined by one of our OG guests—Chris Stasiuk from Signature Video Group. Chris is celebrating 16 years in business, and in this episode, we go deep into what it actually takes to survive and thrive for nearly two decades in the creative industry. Chapters 00:00 Celebrating Six Years of Podcasting 02:58 Reflecting on Business Growth and Goals 06:07 Maintaining Momentum in Business 09:02 The Importance of Marketing and Content Creation 11:59 Navigating Business Challenges and Scaling 15:10 The Role of Freelancers and Partnerships 17:53 The Impact of Goal Setting and Manifestation 33:32 Trusting the Process 36:56 Navigating Client Loss and Diversification 39:27 Maintaining Client Relationships 42:36 Maximizing Content Value 43:39 The Impact of Generative AI on Content Creation 49:35 AI as a Tool for Creatives 52:11 The Future of AI in Creative Industries 🎙️ About Our Guest Chris Stasiuk Founder & Creative Director — Signature Video Group 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S6 · E110
Jan 13, 2026
1:09:30
Season 5
#109 Vertical Dramas, Values, & Hard Times (Ft. Corbin Visual)
In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Jon Corbin — Founder of Corbin Visual — returns for his third appearance on the show, making him the official CGC Champ.  Jon dives into the new era of creative entrepreneurship: How vertical dramas are transforming storytelling online, why client value beats trend-chasing, and what it takes to stay profitable during hard economic times in the video industry. Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 02:18 — Jon returns: The Hat-Trick Episode  07:25 — From trend-chasing to client-value 11:33 — Understanding real business challenges 18:32 — Outbound vs. inbound sales realities 27:47 — The new bar for “good enough” in marketing 33:59 — Adapting in tough economic times 41:07 — The isolation of being a creative business owner 52:16 — Enter: Vertical dramas 55:10 — Hiring the right team + not doing it all yourself 1:04:27 — Staying ahead of industry shifts 1:25:17 — What’s next for Jon & the future of CV  1:26:40 — Sign-off 🎙️ About Our Guest Jon Corbin Founder & Creative Director — Corbin Visual Toronto-based creative agency specializing in video strategy, branded content & next-gen storytelling formats. 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S5 · E109
Dec 5, 2025
1:28:22
#108 Competition, Clients & Creative Freedom (ft. AK Films)
In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Dario Nouri and Kyrill Lazarov speak with Amr Khani, founder and creative director of AK Films, a Dubai-based production company operating at the intersection of high-end corporate and creative work. Amr shares how he built a successful production house in one of the world’s most competitive creative markets, what it’s like running shoots in the UAE, and how Dubai’s film landscape has shifted from cinema to corporate over the past decade. He also dives into the realities of pricing, international collaboration, and why strong systems matter as much as creative talent. Topics Covered: 00:00 – Intro & background of AK Films 05:00 – How Dubai’s film scene evolved over the last decade 10:00 – The decline of film festivals & rise of corporate media 15:00 – Industry diversity in the UAE 17:00 – The reality of competition and pricing in Dubai 25:00 – Why most clients are international 31:00 – How AK Films structures its in-house and freelance teams 36:00 – Scaling to a 7-person production company 41:00 – Finding the right time to hire permanent staff 47:00 – Client education and self-sabotage in production 49:00 – Inbound vs outbound lead generation 52:00 – Long-term goals and returning to filmmaking Key Takeaways: Dubai’s production market is booming — but competition is relentless. The corporate sector has overtaken cinema as the main driver of production work. Strong business systems and communication protect creative integrity. Local partnerships are essential for foreign productions due to legal structure. Balancing creative ambition with sustainable operations is the key to long-term success. 🎥 Guest: Amr Khani – Founder & Creative Director, AK Films 📍 Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S5 · E108
Nov 24, 2025
1:06:41
#107 The Art of Client Relationships (ft. Great Things Studios)
In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Dario Nouri sits down with N’tchidjè Doumbia, founder and creative director of Great Things Studios, a Montreal-based video production company known for its cinematic commercial and corporate work. N’tchidjè shares his journey from music videos to full-scale agency operations, the growing pains of scaling, and how his company maintains creative quality while managing client expectations and large-scale productions. The conversation digs into leadership, team culture, and how the best studios evolve from purely creative shops into strategic, relationship-driven businesses. Topics Covered: 00:00 – Intro & background of Great Things Studios 05:00 – The shift from creative to strategic production work 09:00 – Managing big clients and keeping creative control 14:00 – Why relationships drive long-term agency success 19:00 – How to scale a team without losing culture 25:00 – Leadership lessons and defining your company vision 33:00 – Balancing artistry with operational systems 41:00 – Reinvesting profits into talent and technology 46:00 – The creative risk of saying “no” to bad projects 50:00 – Montreal’s evolving production landscape Key Takeaways: Building a scalable studio requires structure, not just creativity. Strong client relationships are your most valuable business asset. Leadership means trusting your team and protecting creative integrity. Knowing when to say no is crucial for brand longevity. The Montreal video scene is diversifying fast, offering global opportunity. 🎥 Guest: N’tchidjè Doumbia – Founder & Creative Director, Great Things Studios 📍 Based in Montreal, Canada 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee dives into the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with production company founders and filmmakers across the globe about scaling, leadership, and creative strategy. 👇 Follow & Subscribe: Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S5 · E107
Nov 17, 2025
1:47:55
#105 Systems, Margins & Mindset (ft. 6 STRONG MEDIA)
In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, hosts Dario Nouri and Kyrill Lazarov sit down with Kris Simmons, founder and CEO of 6 STRONG MEDIA, a U.S.-based corporate video production agency headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With more than 280 vetted camera crews across the U.S., Kris has built one of the most operationally tight networks in the industry. He shares how 6 STRONG MEDIA maintains local presence in every major market, manages pricing consistency, vets freelancers, and protects margins while scaling sustainably. Topics Covered: 00:00 – Intro & 6 STRONG MEDIA overview 05:00 – Building a 280-crew national network 08:00 – How to vet freelancers & build trust remotely 13:00 – Freelancers vs production companies – who to partner with 16:00 – Rates, value perception & industry ego 20:00 – Budget pressures & short-term thinking in production 25:00 – Insurance & legal bottlenecks on corporate shoots 29:00 – Process improvement & client communication 38:00 – Running a true family business with defined roles 48:00 – Margins and pricing strategy for sustainable growth Key Takeaways: Why success in production is about systems, not just creativity How to build a national crew network that feels local to clients The importance of pre-negotiated rates and expectations Why clear processes protect profit and culture simultaneously The difference between running a creative studio and a scalable agency 🎥 Guest: Kris Simmons – Founder & CEO, 6 STRONG MEDIA 📍 Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee 🎧 Hosts: Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto https://www.lapseproductions.com 🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee: Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, bringing together studio owners, producers, and directors from around the world to discuss growth, operations, and creativity in the industry. SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9 🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140 #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
S5 · E105
Nov 3, 2025
1:25:58
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