Introduction
Hey guys, welcome to The Blade Podcast—the show about production, post-production, editing, color correction, workflows, and building a production company from the ground up.
My name is Lungile, and this is the very first episode of The Blade. Fun fact—the name Blade comes from the blade tool in editing, which is used to cut up footage. Thought it was a clever name!
This podcast is for beginners, freelancers, and anyone interested in post-production or starting their own film production company. If you’re already an industry giant like Jerry Bruckheimer, maybe this isn’t for you—but if you’re looking to learn about the film, TV, and post-production business, you’re in the right place.
Lessons from Running a Creative Business for a Year
I’ve been running a production agency in Johannesburg, South Africa for almost a year now, and I’ve learned a lot. Today, I want to share my experiences—things that might help you avoid mistakes and pick up useful insights.
1️⃣ It’s Not About You—It’s About the Client
When you’re working with a client, the work isn’t about making cool stuff for yourself—it’s about solving their problems.
✔️ Instead of thinking, “How do I make this look cool?”, ask:
- What is the client’s goal?
- What problem are they trying to solve?
- How can my work help them achieve that goal?
Sometimes, you won’t agree creatively with the client—but you learn to step back and prioritize their needs over your own artistic preferences.
2️⃣ Deliver Value (It’s Not About Being Cheap, It’s About Being Worth It)
Clients don’t just want a product, they want value. Your job is to:
✔️ Make their lives easier.
✔️ Give them more than they expect.
✔️ Make sure they feel they’re getting their money’s worth.
💡 Pro Tip: If you over-deliver without underpricing yourself, clients will keep coming back. More repeat business = less time searching for new clients.
3️⃣ You’re Not Just a Creator—You’re a Problem Solver
Running a business means constantly putting out fires:
🔥 Your computer crashes? You fix it.
🔥 Load shedding (power cuts) messes up your work? You find backup solutions.
🔥 A project deadline gets moved up? You adapt.
💡 Solution: Be prepared.
✔️ Get backup power solutions (like a laptop power bank or UPS).
✔️ Save and backup your projects—on Google Drive, external hard drives, or both.
✔️ Learn basic IT fixes—because when something breaks, you have to fix it ASAP.
4️⃣ Most Work Comes from People You Know
🎯 Networking is everything.
Most clients hire people they already know and trust. If no one knows you, you won’t get hired.
✔️ Start marketing yourself—that’s why I’m making this podcast!
✔️ Posting content on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube has brought me more work than cold emails.
✔️ People need to see your skills in action before they trust you with their projects.
💡 Tip: If you’re not comfortable making videos, start small:
- Post behind-the-scenes photos.
- Share editing tips on Twitter.
- Write short posts about your experiences.
The more people see your work, the more likely they are to hire you.
5️⃣ Dream Bigger—Compete with the Best
Instead of just competing with local companies, I try to compete with international companies. Why?
✔️ If you aim big, even if you don’t reach the top, you’ll land much further than if you set small goals.
✔️ Look at what global industry leaders are doing—learn from them and apply those lessons to your business.
✔️ Push yourself beyond what local competitors are doing.
Even if I never build the next Disney, having big ambitions pushes me to improve faster.
6️⃣ The Importance of Fast Internet in a Remote Work World
🚀 If you work remotely, you need fast internet. Period.
✔️ Clients send huge files—sometimes 50GB or more.
✔️ If you don’t have fiber internet, your workflow will be painfully slow.
✔️ Invest in a stable, high-bandwidth connection—it will save you time and frustration.
Bonus: Learning Resources for Post-Production
If you’re serious about improving your skills, check these out:
✔️ VashiVisuals (Vashi Nedomansky)—An expert Premiere Pro editor with great tutorials.
✔️ MultiChoice Masterclasses—Recently hosted a Dolby Digital webinar on sound production.
✔️ YouTube tutorials—There’s tons of free knowledge out there if you’re willing to look for it.
If you want to edit films, documentaries, or ads, investing in continuous learning is key.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for the first episode of The Blade Podcast!
💬 If you found this useful, drop a comment below. Let me know:
✔️ What topics do you want me to cover?
✔️ What challenges are you facing in your creative business?
