Behind the Scenes w/ David Brown - My first two side businesses..
Behind the Scenes: From Film Sets to Side Hustles - My First Two Businesses
Have you ever wondered how people manage to stay afloat in the unpredictable world of filmmaking? For those working in the industry, it can be feast or famine. David Brown, a film producer, found a way to navigate the lean times by tapping into his entrepreneurial spirit. Let's take a look at his journey of creating side businesses to support his passion. Check out the full story on YouTube: Behind the Scenes w/ David Brown - My first two side businesses.
The Lean Years: Tax Credits and the Hollywood Exodus
The late 2000s were a turbulent time for the film industry, especially in Los Angeles. A perfect storm of events led to a significant downturn in production. What was the cause?
Writer strikes brought many projects to a standstill. At the same time, tax credit programs in other states and countries began to lure productions away from California. Michigan offered a whopping 42% tax credit, while Louisiana offered 30-35%. Iowa even popped up with a 50% credit for a brief period. New Mexico, upstate New York, and Georgia also became attractive destinations. In fact, Georgia became a major production hub, hosting more movies than Los Angeles and New York combined! Even Vancouver got in on the action.
These tax incentives led to a sharp decline in independent film production in Los Angeles. With fewer opportunities available, how could aspiring filmmakers and crew members survive? David realized he needed to get creative to stay in the game.
Inspired by Timothy Ferriss's book, The 4-Hour Workweek, David sought ways to generate passive income and work smarter, not just harder. He looked for opportunities to use his existing skills and resources to create sustainable income streams.
FX Workshops: Turning Expertise into Opportunity
Looking around, David noticed that his ex-partner was an award-winning special effects makeup artist with a wealth of knowledge and experience. This was a talent that people would pay to learn! So, how did he turn this into a business?
He created FX Workshops, a series of weekend courses teaching special effects makeup techniques. Back then, websites were built on Macs, so that's what he used. He linked it to a PayPal account. Students could learn how to create bald caps and apply prosthetics from a true expert.
These workshops were priced at $1,000 for a three-day course, held on Saturdays and Sundays. They took place in both Los Angeles and New York. With around 20 students per class, a single workshop could cover David's bills for months. Of course, he paid his ex-partner a daily rate for teaching.
How did he spread the word? David posted ads on Craigslist in the film and TV gigs section. He also leveraged his ex-partner's connection to IATSE Local 761, the makeup and hair union. The union emailed a flyer about the workshop to its members. With a total marketing spend of only $300, the workshops were a resounding success.
To keep costs down, David rented classroom space at Nigel's Beauty Emporium on Magnolia, which already hosted makeup seminars. They even partnered with MUD Makeup Design in New York to host workshops there.
These FX Workshops allowed David to pursue his passion for filmmaking between gigs. Many of his friends and colleagues had to leave the industry because they couldn't sustain themselves financially.
Christmas Tree Lots: A Festive Financial Boost
Always on the lookout for opportunities, David began searching for a short-term, high-yield income opportunity. What could he do quickly to generate a lot of income?
He found a Christmas tree supplier with lots in Woodland Hills and Encino. The supplier owned a farm in Oregon or Washington State. David struck a deal to buy extra trees wholesale for $14 each. He found an empty parking lot on La Brea and Melrose, right behind Apple Comic Books. After contacting the realtor, he rented the lot for $10,000 for the month of December.
Setting up the tree lot was a DIY affair. David bought an inflatable Santa Claus and some Christmas lights at Lowe's. He covered the ground with hay to create a festive atmosphere. After renting a U-Haul, he transported the trees.
The Christmas tree lot opened on Black Friday and closed on Christmas Day. They sold noble firs, Douglas firs, Turkish firs, and more. The trees were priced between $125 and $200 each. Delivery was an extra $50. They even offered a pickup service after the holidays. To maximize profits, they made wreaths from fallen tree limbs.
For the month of December, David took home $75,000 after expenses. The Christmas tree lot became a reliable source of income for two consecutive years.
Starting Over: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
In 2010, David faced a setback. He broke up with his partner. As a result, he lost the industry connections they had built together.
The film industry can be clicky and fickle. The people who had hired him before stopped giving him the time of day. He had to start over, sending out resumes and rebuilding his network.
Despite the challenges, David persevered. He viewed it as an opportunity to prove his resilience and get where he needed to be.
Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurial Lessons from the Film Industry
David Brown's story illustrates the importance of entrepreneurial thinking in the film industry. His FX Workshops and Christmas tree lots provided him with the financial stability to pursue his passion.
His success came from spotting opportunities and taking action. He always looked for short-term, high-yield returns that could sustain him between gigs. By developing a financial backbone, he was able to thrive in a volatile industry.
Conclusion
The film industry requires a lot of hustle. David Brown is a prime example of someone who has successfully navigated its challenges by creating his own opportunities. His entrepreneurial ventures not only sustained his passion but also allowed him to remain in the industry he loved.
What side hustles have you tried? Do you have any challenges in the film industry?
For more details, be sure to watch the YouTube video: Behind the Scenes w/ David Brown - My first two side businesses.