20 Years in the Producer’s Chair: Lessons Learned & Honest Advice

Описание: What’s changed in filmmaking after 20 years — and what hasn’t?
In this episode, we sit down with producer extraordinaire and the founder of North 40, Jeff, to talk about the real, unfiltered lessons learned from two decades of producing documentary and commercial films.

We dive into:
– How producing has (surprisingly) stayed the same
– The painful mistakes that shaped better processes
– Managing clients, notes, expectations, and relationships
– How to budget projects without losing your shirt
– Building a team, hiring the right people, and fostering creative tension
– Gear that changed everything (and gear we regret buying)
– Moving from small projects to award-winning feature documentaries
– Finding purpose in mission-driven storytelling
– Advice for filmmakers on shaping a career you actually want

Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, creative, or someone curious about how films get made behind the scenes, this conversation covers the realities of surviving (and growing) in a challenging industry.

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Chapters
01:18 – Has Producing Really Changed in 20 Years?
02:37 – The Notes Process: Hard Lessons Learned
03:39 – Defining Success With Clients
04:47 – Evolving Crew Structure: From Staff to Specialists
06:57 – Budgeting & Profitability: Keys to Staying Alive
08:48 – Keeping Clients Coming Back
10:06 – The Rise of Long-Form Work
11:15 – Business Philosophy: Punching Above Your Weight
12:33 – Values-Driven Work: Choosing the Right Clients
14:07 – Your Calling Card: Every Project Matters
15:06 – Best Investment Ever: People
17:00 – What Makes a Great Teammate?
19:59 – Worst Investments: Gear Mistakes & The Infamous Van
22:02 – Best Gear Investments: The Van, Drones, Lenses & More
24:27 – Best Projects We’ve Made
26:27 – Worst Projects (Without Naming Names)
28:51 – Final Thoughts on What Makes This Work Rewarding

North 40 is a documentary and commercial production company based in the Pacific Northwest. We tell mission-driven stories for nonprofits, tribes, scientists, conservation groups, and organizations working to make the world a better place.

Learn more at: north40productions.com