How I Made My First Million Dollars With Video Production

I graduated from film school in 2007 and I didn’t learn or know anything about making money as a filmmaker. And I struggled for over 5 years, doing random jobs that barely covered my bills.

For some reason, it’s somehow not ok to talk about making money as a filmmaker. No one talks about their rates or what they charge clients. I was a DP on so many shoots for $500 without realizing my friends were getting $1200. Because no one talks about it.

I charged $3000 for a video production service when I should have been charging 10k.

So that’s why I made these videos. I’m hoping to help people that are going through that same struggle I went through and since no one else seems to want to talk about it, I’m happy to.

When I was 29, almost 6 years after film school, still paying my student loan, I have about $1000 in my bank and maybe about 10k worth of video gear. I would take freelance jobs as a videographer, camera op, AC, editor, and once in a while, DP.

But I was seriously thinking about quitting. The only problem was, I didn’t even know what else I could do. I didn’t have a real job ever.
So I had to make something else work.

Even though I had a video production company, I decided to start a new one, with a focus and with a better life plan.

I wrote down my goal. Save a million by 35 and retire by 40.
And make over 100k next year at 30.

Then I started to write a business plan. First, I was going to turn my video production service into a product. I was going to make a very specific type of marketing video for 3k. I created 3 to 4 of them for my friends that had a business for free. And I made one for a law firm. Then I learn SEO and Google ads. It took about 6 months before it worked because I was trying to learn everyone on my own.

Thanks so much for watching. Please give this video a thumbs up and subscribe to this channel for easy-to-follow filmmaking videos.

Learn the exact blueprint I used to go from a struggling videographer, to running a profitable video production business, in this one-hour free training.

[Filmmakingmentor]

Learn the exact blueprint I used to go from a struggling videographer, to running a profitable video production business, in this one-hour free training.

[MoBeezyVevo]

Just found this channel 5 minutes ago and it already has MAJOR value in my eyes.

[gabrielwolfcolor]

I started a video production company just a few months ago. Your videos are not only value in gold, you encourage us to be brave!
Thank you very much and best from Berlin! :)

[Feeetzy]

Thanks so much for this Saj, I need more define goals for 2022. I'm currently just coasting through my video production career. My company took in around 60k this year but I only worked like 120ish days.
I really value my free time... and spending time with friends and family. but obviously that may change as more responsibilities mount... at which point I probably will offer more services like the ones you are talking about here.

[lensflare]

I really appreciate this video. You been making great content. I graduated in 2010 in video production an it's been difficult to navigate. I'm restructuring my path.

[Directedbyvinci]

Saj I’m so so grateful for this video.. you have no idea how helpful this is too me I’m 29 right now & im struggling with the things you struggled with @ 29… I’m going to put all these things you’ve said into practice… once again thank you.

[tommiegreen]

I searched ‘how to make millions filmmaking’, you popped up. This is my first time seeing your video. You’re right, it seems like when people make money they learn something that prevents them sharing how they make money.

[tommiegreen]

“Then I got a project that was 80 grand” why did you skip over this? The entire video should be about this. I want all the details. This is what I came to learn. I already do everything else you said, I started a production company in 2006, earned a bachelors degree in Film production, I been had a website, I’ve been making 3k for videos, I mastered SEO and AdWords, But HOW DID YOU GET BIGGER CLIENTS? Because somehow I’m still broke

[AndreiRestrepo]

this is my 3rd video in on your channel, GOLD information!! Super helpful since I just started my media business.

[leverties]

Love your content Saj. While filmmaking is great, I love the business aspect of this industry. I just recently hit my milestone of 100k and I'm 22 years old but I'm hoping to be a millionaire by 30

[ogdenharry]

This is great info. I have been doing it the wrong way so long. This is a breath of fresh air.

[chrisklugh]

There is still a lot of the paperwork side of this business that I'm still working on, but the biggest challenge is finding clients in a Covid World. So much of it is in person preproduction stuff, lots of that are better doing in person, and nobody in the last 2 years wants to make new Face to Face friends anymore.

The Director in me needs to see the person off camera in an environment they can relax and be themselves so I know what I'm aiming for if they might be on camera. That, and I find there is so much room for miscommunications in emails and text type messages. A properly structured meeting, or a few of them, is far better and making sure the project has an agreeable plan, and the expectations are somewhat managed. Person to Person Preproduction is worth investing in!

[ProfoundProductions]

Great video, finally somebody on YouTube that doesn’t look like a college frat boy and actually knows what he’s talking about.

[diegopisante]

This is gold, I'm breaking that point!!

[EghosaUgbo]

Im 18 now and i started studying film. In a positive way, this let me realise that the tale in my head may not come true. It feels more like gambling with life, so i'll probably start over and do something else

[DavidBlodgett]

Wow! I was literally writing out a plan to have two separate websites and didnt know weather that was smart or not. (dividing my attention instead of just honing in on one) And here you are to confirm what Im doing. Thank you, this video and others is really helping me out. I started out by making youtube videos for creators and now Im making my own documentaries while doing Corporate DP/directing work. Is there any way we can see your DP website? Would love to see your work.

[skgproductions]

Your experiences are extremely relatable and encouraging. I'm loving your content. Thanks for sharing!

[showingillustration]

Great video, really helped a lot. Don't stop posting

[BrotherJLG]

I really appreciate the content. It helps give perspective while I'm just starting out.

[chaseazarian]

Hey Saj! I’ve been binging your content for about a week now and the amount of value you have been delivering is unmatched. I’ve been dabbling off and on as a freelancer for roughly four years as a side hustle, but this past year I’ve gone full time with running my own (still pretty small) production company. Two questions I wanted to ask because you briefly talked about them in a past video:

1). For financial advice, should I be looking into hiring a CPA to guide me when it comes to taxes, deductibles, etc., or should I be looking for a different type of financial consultant to help me out?
2. I’ve been having lower back issues like most filmmakers deal with on a regular basis. Would you recommend going to a chiropractor before a physical therapist, or going another route?

Thank you in advance man, and please keep on doing what you’re doing, because nobody else in this space on Youtube seems to be doing it 🙌