8 Film Production Company Success Stories [2024]
A film production company is responsible for producing video content for social media, corporate promotions, television programs, commercials,s or other media-related fields. Ideally, the responsibilities of a video production company include scripting, location scouting, and also logistics to ensure a successful film.
Starting a film production company can be a daunting task. However, you can set up your business for success with proper guidance. Here are important steps for creating a video production company:
- Determine the company niche
- Choose a suitable company name
- Draft a solid business plan
- Hire an advocate to lead all legal matters of starting a company
- Fund your business
- Acquire video production equipment and skills
- Create a website and market your film production company
If you are starting a video production company from scratch, consider creating some proof-of-concept projects so you can market the business. Alternatively, you may buy a franchise or an existing business.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a film production company:
1. Lemonlight ($18M/year)
Hope Horner came up with the idea for Lemonlight when he saw an opportunity to bring transparency to the video production industry. With the average cost for a 30-second commercial at $342,000, Lemonlight offered small and medium-sized businesses access to high-quality, affordable video content through pre-built pricing menus and transparent pricing. Since its launch in 2014, Lemonlight has grown to generate $6M in sales per year, with over 7000 videos produced for more than 3000 brands and notable clients including Amazon and TripAdvisor.
How much they make: $18M/year
How much did it cost to start: $500
Current team size: 75
Lemonlight CEO, Hope Horner, co-founded an on-demand video production company that has produced over 7,000 videos for more than 3,000 brands, generating over $6 million in sales and growing to a 45-person team, all without taking any outside capital and being recognized in Inc 5000 and Entrepreneur 360 for three years in a row.
2. CFF Media ($120K/year)
CFF Media was founded by a group of friends who had experience in different areas of media. After college, they decided to come together and create a video production company. They started with part-time jobs and worked on building their portfolio by making videos for free. Eventually, they rebranded themselves as CFF Media and focused their efforts on attracting corporate and small business clients. Their dedication and passion for their craft, along with seeking professional help when needed, has contributed to their success in the industry.
How much they make: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.5K
Current team size: 1
A group of friends started a video production company called CFF Media that now generates $10k per month in revenue, where they primarily make promotional and testimonial videos for other companies in Atlanta.
So... can you actually make money with a film production company?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. VJUS ($360K/year)
How much they make: $360K/year
Current team size: 7
VJUS is an award-winning film production company based in Oslo, Norway, that provides photo and video production services for small and large businesses with a talented team of filmmakers producing compelling, original, and reliable web videos.
So... can you actually make money with a film production company?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
4. Mbrella Films ($3M/year)
Joshua Dixon, the founder of Mbrella Films, got his start in the film industry after shooting a music video for his rock band. His lightbulb moment came when he noticed the abundance of digital ads in Bangkok and realized there was a need for a production house in the area. Since then, Mbrella Films has grown from a team of 5-6 people to over 40 employees and has been doubling its revenue every year.
How much they make: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
Current team size: 47
Mbrella Films founder, Joshua Dixon, shares how he started and scaled his international production house, which has doubled its revenue annually since its inception and now employs over 40 people, while also expanding into a post-production house and adding a remote production service during the pandemic.
5. WongFu Productions ($922K/year)
How much they make: $922K/year
Current team size: 8
Wong Fu Productions gained almost 3 million subscribers on YouTube and over 450 million views, becoming an Asian-American representation leader by building a loyal following, having a consistent brand, leveraging social media, collaborating with other creators, diversifying content offerings, and building a community.
- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
