Creatives Grab Coffee

Creatives Grab Coffee
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Welcome to Creatives Grab Coffee, a podcast on the business of video production. Hosted by Kyrill Lazarov & Dario Nouri https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com Produced by www.LapseProductions.com

  1. 4 HRS AGO

    #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

    1h 5m

  2. 6D AGO

    #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

    1h 9m

  3. JAN 13

    #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

    1h 10m

  4. 2025-12-05

    #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

    1h 28m

  5. 2025-11-24

    #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

    1h 7m

  6. 2025-11-17

    #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

    1h 48m

  7. 2025-11-10

    #106 Competing, Niching & Thriving (ft. Visual Production Agency)

    In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Dario Nouri and Kyrill Lazarov sit down with Daniel Calleja, founder of Visual Production Agency in Melbourne, Australia. With more than 20 years in the game, Daniel shares how he built a resilient corporate video business through two decades of rapid industry change — from VHS to HD, DSLRs, and today’s AI-driven landscape. They dive into how video production companies can survive in an oversaturated market, balance pricing and quality, adapt to budget-tight clients, and find long-term stability through smart specialization. Topics Covered: 00:00 – Daniel’s origin story & early industry lessons 07:00 – From VHS to HD to DSLR revolutions 14:00 – The rise of competition & SEO’s impact on video production 19:00 – Price wars and the race to the bottom 24:00 – Freelancers vs agencies & direct-to-client trends 29:00 – Content creators vs production companies 33:00 – In-house vs outsourced marketing teams 42:00 – Forecasting, rebranding & future-proofing your agency 50:00 – Outreach, networking & finding new clients 52:00 – Niching down into corporate training videos Key Takeaways: The industry is shifting from production to content creation — and how to stay relevant.Why you should never race to the bottom on pricing.How to forecast your marketing and sales pipeline year-round.Why training videos are a recession-proof niche for corporate producers.The importance of quality, longevity, and investing in your team. 🎥 Guest: Daniel Calleja – Founder, Visual Production Agency 📍 Based in Melbourne, Australia 🎧 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 conversations with studio owners and filmmakers from around the world on how they scale, innovate, and sustain creative businesses in a fast-changing industry. 👇 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

    1h 21m

  8. 2025-11-03

    #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 creativityHow to build a national crew network that feels local to clientsThe importance of pre-negotiated rates and expectationsWhy clear processes protect profit and culture simultaneouslyThe 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

    1h 26m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Creatives Grab Coffee, a podcast on the business of video production. Hosted by Kyrill Lazarov & Dario Nouri https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com Produced by www.LapseProductions.com

Information

  • Creator
    Creatives Grab Coffee
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    112
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Creatives Grab Coffee 2024
  • Show Website
    Creatives Grab Coffee