From Overwhelm to Craft: Running a Video Production Business with Intention
Running a small video production company often feels like a constant sprint—juggling multiple projects, responding to client emails at all hours, and trying to stay ahead of the competition. The default mindset in creative industries, especially filmmaking, is that busier is better. But is it?
After reading Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity, I challenged myself with whether the idea that success comes from a relentless hustle is the right frame of mind. Newport advocates for a more sustainable, focused approach to work—one that emphasizes quality over quantity, deep work over scattered effort, and long-term impact over short-term busyness.
As a producer and editor, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to get caught in the cycle of saying yes to everything. More projects mean more revenue, right? But over time, I realized that constantly working at full speed led to creative burnout, rushed storytelling, and a feeling that I was running my business instead of building something meaningful.
If you run a small video production company or work in creative services, here’s how applying Slow Productivity can help shift your business from overwhelming busyness to intentional craft.
1. Focus on Fewer, More Impactful Projects
One of Newport’s key principles is that high-quality work comes from doing less, not more. This may feel counterintuitive in a fast-paced industry, but in video production, spreading yourself too thin across too many projects can lead to rushed edits, weaker storytelling, and client relationships that feel transactional rather than meaningful.
Instead of saying yes to every inquiry, I started asking:
Will this project push my creative boundaries?
Does it align with my long-term goals as a filmmaker and business owner?
Can I give it the time and attention it deserves?
By being selective, I’ve been able to pour more energy into projects that matter—leading to stronger work, happier clients, and a business that feels purposeful rather than just productive.
2. Shift from Reactive to Proactive Work
In video production, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of constant deadlines, urgent client requests, and last-minute revisions. But this kind of reactive work keeps you in survival mode, making it difficult to plan ahead or innovate.
Newport emphasizes the importance of deep work—creating space for uninterrupted, focused effort. In my business, this has meant:
Blocking off dedicated time for editing without distractions
Setting clear boundaries with clients about revision timelines
Creating internal R&D projects that explore new storytelling techniques
Prioritizing one major project at a time instead of juggling five at once
The result? More intentional creativity, less stress, and higher-quality films.
3. Prioritize Craft Over Hustle
The production industry tends to reward speed. The faster you shoot, edit, and deliver, the more work you can take on. But speed often comes at the expense of storytelling.
By embracing a Slow Productivity mindset, I’ve started allowing projects to breathe. Taking an extra day (or week) to refine an edit, rework a script, or rethink a visual approach often leads to a stronger final product. Clients may want quick turnarounds, but what they value is great work—and great work takes time.
A few ways I’ve integrated this into my business:
Allowing for “cooling off” periods in post-production before finalizing a cut
Encouraging clients to invest in strategic pre-production rather than rushing to shoot
Spending more time developing narratives instead of just executing shot lists
Slower, more thoughtful production leads to films that resonate longer.
4. Build a Business That Works for You
One of the biggest takeaways from Slow Productivity is that the way you structure your work determines your long-term success. If your production company is built around the idea of always grinding, you’ll always be exhausted.
Instead, I’ve been experimenting with ways to create a business model that serves my creativity rather than drains it:
Taking on fewer, higher-paying projects instead of many lower-budget ones
Building long-term relationships with clients instead of one-off gigs
Hiring trusted collaborators rather than trying to do everything myself
This shift has made my work more fulfilling, allowed me to focus on what I do best, and created more space for creative growth.
The Takeaway: Slow Down to Move Forward
If you run a creative business—whether you’re a filmmaker, editor, animator, or producer—there’s a constant temptation to do more. But as Slow Productivity reminds us, more isn’t always better.
By focusing on intentionality, deep work, and high-quality output, you can build a video production company that’s not just busy, but truly impactful.
The real question is: Are you running your business, or is your business running you?
By slowing down and working with more purpose, you can create a business that’s not only sustainable but deeply fulfilling.
What’s one thing you could change today to bring more intention into your work?