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

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

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