Small production studio with a shooting space

Brands, marketing agencies, regional businesses, organizations, and sometimes broadcasters or online platforms that commission content.

Project fees for production and post-production, with larger budgets for ads and series. Repeat clients and agency partnerships help keep the schedule full.

• Producing and budgeting
• Directing and cinematography
• Editing and sound
• Managing freelancers and clients

• Commercial general liability, equipment and business interruption insurance; clients and venues may ask for proof
• Lease terms, zoning and fire safety rules for studio space, so check with your municipality
• Written contracts for usage rights, music, talent releases and location permits
• Cash flow, as clients can pay 30 to 60 days after delivery while gear and rent are due now
• WCB/WSIB registration once you hire staff, and employee versus freelancer rules in your province
• Check for provincial or federal screen funding and tax credit programs and their eligibility rules before relying on them

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on the unit you rent, your camera and lighting gear, and the editing suite and storage you set up.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your client mix, team size and how often you land commissions. These are estimates, so test them against your own costs and expected workload.

Check lease terms, zoning and fire safety rules with your municipality, plus insurance, written contracts, talent releases and location permits. If you hire, check WCB/WSIB registration and employee versus freelancer rules, and funding eligibility.