Creatives Grab Coffee

by Creatives Grab Coffee

Season 6

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

#104 Breaking Barriers in Video Production (ft. AVR Media Group)

In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, hosts Dario Nouri and Kyrill Lazarov talk with Ana Rosales, founder of AVR Media Group, about her journey building a thriving video production company in Florida. We unpack the realities of scaling a production business — managing clients, leading a team, maintaining creative quality, and overcoming industry biases — all while staying grounded in your creative vision. Topics Covered: 00:00 – Introduction & origin story of AVR Media Group 07:40 – Scaling challenges and leadership growth 15:00 – Client communication & expectation management 27:30 – Balancing creativity and profitability 39:20 – Building trust and long-term partnerships 48:00 – Shaping the future of women-led production Key Takeaways: • Why clear client education prevents 90% of project friction • How to build a sustainable production pipeline that supports creative integrity • The role of leadership in developing culture and accountability • Why representation and inclusivity matter in production hiring • How to future-proof your video business through relationship equity 🎥 Guest: Ana Rosales – Founder, AVR Media 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 agency founders, filmmakers, and producers who share tactical insights on creativity, operations, and scaling production companies worldwide. 👇 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 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9 🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140 🎞️ Produced by LAPSE PRODUCTIONS – https://www.lapseproductions.com To learn more about the show, visit: https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com/ #CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices

S5 · E104

Oct 27, 2025

1:14:36

1 of 12

Creatives Grab Coffee

#114 TV Doc, RFPs, and AI (ft. Bee Video Productions)

#113 Building a Values-Driven Production Company (ft. Tiny Studios)

#112 Expanding to Multiple Cities & Potential Career Change (ft. Tone Films)

#111 Filming Under Fire (ft. Highlight Films)

#110 New Years Goals, Growth, & Gen AI (ft. Signature Video Group)

#109 Vertical Dramas, Values, & Hard Times (Ft. Corbin Visual)

#108 Competition, Clients & Creative Freedom (ft. AK Films)

#107 The Art of Client Relationships (ft. Great Things Studios)

#105 Systems, Margins & Mindset (ft. 6 STRONG MEDIA)

#104 Breaking Barriers in Video Production (ft. AVR Media Group)