Results
What’s up, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to The Blade Podcast, the podcast about film production, post-production, branding, and marketing.
We’ve got a new setup today—I moved some things around, so if you’re watching this, you’ll notice the white wall, white t-shirt vibe.
Why Are So Many Creatives Broke?
Today, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind for the past few days:
Why is there a stereotype that creatives are broke?
- Why do people believe that artists die poor?
- Is there any truth to this stereotype?
- Do creatives struggle because they lack financial management skills, or is the industry itself to blame?
And on top of that, COVID-19 made things worse. The lockdowns hit freelancers and the film industry hard. Productions shut down, work became scarce, and many creatives struggled to stay afloat.
I was lucky to get some work during quarantine, but many people I know lost gigs and income. Some even left the industry altogether because surviving as a freelancer, solo entrepreneur, or filmmaker can be extremely tough.
The Harsh Reality of the Industry
The film industry is volatile—one day you have a job, the next day, everything changes. Even those with full-time jobs in production are not entirely safe.
Not all creatives are struggling, though. Some are thriving, making huge money, and working on big projects. But what separates the successful ones from those who are barely making it?
Is it talent, connections, luck, or just business skills?
I don’t want this to be all doom and gloom, but it’s an important discussion. We creatives need to start thinking about ways to make money even when we’re not actively working.
How Can Creatives Make Money Beyond Client Work?
Instead of relying only on freelance gigs or production jobs, here are some ideas for generating passive income as a creative:
✅ Selling Digital Assets – If you’re a designer, sell fonts, templates, or stock graphics.
✅ Teaching Online Courses – If you’re a filmmaker or editor, create courses on Skillshare or Udemy.
✅ Stock Footage & Photography – Sell your unused footage and photos on Shutterstock, Artgrid, or Pond5.
✅ YouTube & Content Creation – Build an audience and monetize through ads, brand deals, or memberships.
This is especially important for freelancers because income is unstable. If something like COVID-19 happens again, having multiple income streams could help keep you financially secure.
Canon R5 & R6 – Game-Changing Cameras?
In camera news, Canon recently dropped two new mirrorless cameras—the Canon R5 and Canon R6.
🔴 Canon R5:
- 8K RAW video recording
- 4K 10-bit color depth
- In-body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
- Priced around R80,000 in South Africa
🔴 Canon R6:
- More affordable at R50,000
- 4K video recording
- Full-frame sensor with IBIS
Both cameras are great for filmmakers, but the R5 has overheating issues when shooting in 8K for long periods. Some users say Canon might fix it, but it’s something to consider.
That said, if you already have Canon lenses, these cameras could be a great upgrade for your filmmaking kit.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K – The Future of Indie Filmmaking?
Blackmagic dropped a bombshell with the URSA Mini Pro 12K.
⚡ 12K resolution (yes, you heard that right—12,000 pixels!)
⚡ Future-proof your footage
⚡ Great alternative to expensive RED or ARRI cameras
⚡ Priced at R150,000 in South Africa
While 12K may seem like overkill, it gives filmmakers more flexibility when cropping and resizing footage. Plus, Blackmagic’s color science is insane.
For indie filmmakers who want cinematic quality but can’t afford a RED Komodo or ARRI Alexa, the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K is a serious contender.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of Blackmagic cameras. Right now, I’m shooting with the older Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, but I’m eyeing the 4K or 6K model for my next upgrade.
Would I buy the Canon R5/R6? Probably not, because I don’t have Canon lenses, but for those in the Canon ecosystem, it makes sense.
Virtual Film Festivals – The Future of Festivals?
Since COVID-19 shut down in-person events, many film festivals have gone virtual.
🎬 Durban International Film Festival is going digital this year
🎬 Sundance and TIFF have hosted virtual panels and screenings
🎬 More festivals are shifting online—which makes them more accessible to global audiences
While this may hurt tourism, it’s a great opportunity for filmmakers who couldn’t afford to attend physical festivals.
💡 What do you think about virtual film festivals?
Would you prefer to attend them online, or do you miss the in-person experience?
Webinars & Remote Learning for Filmmakers
One positive from all this change is the rise of webinars and online learning.
I've been watching virtual masterclasses from Sundance, Steven Sparks, and more. There are tons of free resources available online for:
✔ Screenwriting
✔ Producing & Financing
✔ Editing & Post-Production
If you’re not attending these online events, you’re missing out!
Final Thoughts – Let’s Keep This Discussion Going
🎙 How are you surviving as a creative during these tough times?
Let me know in the comments if you’re watching on YouTube, or drop a review if you’re listening on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts.
🔥 What do you think about:
📸 The Canon R5 & R6?
🎬 The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K?
🌍 Virtual film festivals?
💡 How can creatives build multiple income streams and stop being broke?
Let’s have a real conversation about survival and success in the film industry.
Wrap-Up
That’s it for Episode 6 of The Blade Podcast! 🎙
I’m excited to keep bringing you valuable content, industry trends, and discussions.
👉 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday at 10:00 AM (CAT).
Brought to you by Einhardt Films, a production agency that helps small to medium businesses with marketing, design, and animation.
📧 Want to connect? Email me!
📢 Subscribe, rate, and share this podcast!
Until next time, stay safe, stay creative, and keep hustling. 🎬