How long have you been around?

28 marvelous years thanks to my Mom and Pa, but as a company 4K Film Production is happily in our 6th year of business serving Calgary and Western Canada.

How did you get started in video production?

As a young fresh-faced boy I was fascinated with photography and image recording. I fell in love with this new-fangled tool called the “polaroid camera.” I would shoot Polaroid’s as though I was single-handedly responsible for capturing my neighborhoods history. I was so impressed with the instant feedback the Polaroid produced. In my early teens this love of instant feedback progressed my film passions into becoming a semi-pro snow-shoveler and ‘scraping’ together $800 to purchase my first Hi8 camera. Again, I was the town historian and I couldn't stop filming everything around me. My love of this new camera at the age of 15 led me to enroll in a 16mm summer camp with our local film society CSIF….from that camp onward I WAS HOOKED!

I haven’t let the camera leave my hand since, and its taken me on a most wonderful journey over the last 10 years travelling the world from China, Australia, Vietnam, El Salvador and America capturing everything from documentaries and dramas and commercials OH MY!

What do you love about this industry?

I love that I have the opportunity to never tell the same story twice. Each story, company and brand has something unique to say. It is my privilege to be able to present each project in an original way whether it be print, stills or motion picture. I pride myself on helping our clients find the best visual approach to help sell their brand, content and services. I am very fortunate that I get to do my dream job everyday.

I am also humbled and excited by the pace of technology in this industry and it’s shocking how far things have progressed over the last 10 years. Knowing it will only improve as time goes on is exciting for me. This insanely fast-paced rise in new technology has lead to what I affectingly call ‘first world cinematographer problems’with the choice of digital video cameras and the range of quality they can produce. It’s become a joy to be able to figure these new tools out and see how we can push them to their limits artistically. The simple fact that I can shoot 120 FPS on my iphone means life is good!

What do you think is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about this industry?

People are always saying" it's a who you know industry". Yes, having contacts helps but I personally feel if you’re good, you’re good…and you will get the work. I know it’s a bit of a ‘If you build it they will come’ mantra, but if you’re diligent and passionate, those contacts will connect and bigger and better projects will arise.

One of your favorite projects that you’ve worked on?

Calgary Flames opening video 2011-2012.

It was an honor and pleasure to work with the Calgary Flames and specifically Jerome on this project. It was apparent that Jerome had a remarkable level of focus and determination when, as it turned out, the first shot we captured that day ended up being the shot used in the project…that’s a pretty special thing to be a part of.

The final product turned out awesome and was well received in that season’s opening night game at the Saddle Dome. It was an overwhelming and humbling experience to watch our work on the jumbotron in front of thousands of cheering fans and know that I was a part of something larger than just a video.

"I never go to a shoot without..."

EXTRA SOCKS!!!!!.....A fresh pair of socks to swap out at lunch, trust me!

My own water bottle….I’m ‘team-hydration AND team-environment’

Proper footwear **with finger studiously pointing** Yes I'm a nerd and a Boy Scout of 10 years prior. I always like being prepared.

Any advice to aspiring filmmakers?

Be humble,take advice and seize every opportunity.

Company name: Signature Video Group

Title: Creative Director/Founder

How long have you been around for? 

October, 2014 will mark our 5th year in business. 

What kind of work do you do? 

I can say with confidence that I've worn pretty much every hat in the production bag. I've even made nearly a dozen cameo appearances in client videos. I'm not saying I'm Leo over here, but my role of "guy opening storage locker door" really cemented me as a legitimate B-Roll talent. 

In all seriousness, I've been lucky enough to build an incredible team, and together we are capable of handling every aspect of a video production (for many types of video content). I'm still very hands on at every step of the process, but having an awesome team has really allowed me to focus on Directing and Producing. 

What kind of videos do you mostly work on? 

If I had to put my finger on our precise specialty, I would have to say it's unscripted (but very much on message) doc style content. Beautiful Cinematography, genuine subjects and a moral to the story can make for amazing video content.  

That being said, we really can and do make pretty much any type of short form video content (scripted and unscripted). Check out our portfolio to see what I mean. 

How did you get started in video production?

I've always been fascinated with video, especially the reaction a video can elicit from an audience. I would always find a way to build video elements into school presentations (usually earning some laughs and bonus marks) and even hosted a local cable T.V show discussing the weekly happenings in high school sports. Nerd Alert. 

After university and subsequent post graduate studies, I started my career in brand marketing for Canada's largest casual dining restaurant chain and after 3 great years of eating way too many pizzas (guess it yet?) I left to start this business. Nearly 5 years later, more than 100 completed projects and work from some of Canada's biggest brands in my portfolio, I would definitely still say that I am just getting started. 

What do you love about this industry?

I love the notion that essentially every video project, no matter how big and complex starts with a kernel of an idea and a simple conversation. Then, with the right creative talent and the proper resources, that kernel can quite literally be transformed into moving pictures that can truly captivate an audience and influence a decision. I love that I get to wake up every day with the opportunity to have those conversations...and see where they might lead.

Favourite project that you’ve worked on & why?

The first summer of starting my business, I landed (from a cold call, and a conversation) a fairly large project (at least in scope) for a large micro-brewery here in Toronto. I had promised them 10 videos (all scripted comedy with actors), a social campaign, a micro site and that we would reach a goal of generating 50,000 views. I should mention that I promised all of this for a budget of what turned out in hindsight, grossly unsubstantial.

I quickly realized that although I would be "living the dream" of shooting beer commercials all summer, I had bitten off more than I knew how to chew. I'll spare you all the details, but somehow our rag tag crew managed to pull it off to tremendous success. At the end of it, with more than 40 people involved in the project we shot all 10 spots over 6 days, launched the microsite, social campaign...and earned more than 1 million organic video views within a year of being online. 

The success of that campaign helped me launch my business and position us as a legitimate solution for clients looking for high quality video content and measurable results. And it started with a cold call. 

I never go to a shoot without…

I always wear comfortable shoes (it's usually a very long day) and make sure I have ample change in my pocket for multiple Timmy’s runs. Gotta fuel the beast...or at least stay awake.  

What advice would you offer to filmmakers looking to break into the industry?  

I've really only been at this professionally for 5 years, but I have found that doing these 3 things helped me break (and more importantly stay) in the industry. 

1) Have an awesome reel or portfolio of your work ready for producers to easily access. Also, be very clear about exactly what your role was in those productions. 

2) Make lots of videos! When you are starting off, take the opportunity to work with as many people as you can on as many projects possible. Even if you are working "for the experience", it's an excellent investment in your time. This is how you'll hone your skills and ultimately become a better filmmaker.