Something on the Side
A second income stream would sure be nice for many crew right now.
While it’s usually easy enough to come up with crafty ideas, following them through is the hard part. Carolyn Brooke talks to 2nd AD Rob Grieve and runner Rory Turei about taking action away from film and TV work. Yes, it takes some planning, perseverance and effort, but there are many pay offs.
“If you have something you can complement with TV and film work then it’s just such a healthy thing.”
All-in-all it’s a bit unnerving working in the film and TV industry right now. While it’s not an easy industry to be in at the best of times, the current down period is being felt even more than usual by many. Work is slow coming and largely at the mercy of uncontrollable, external factors like exchange rates, off-shore incentives and government policies (both locally and overseas). Finding alternative income streams is a reality for many crew, with some leaving the industry completely.
Sure, starting a new venture is scary and takes effort but the payoffs include protection from the industry’s seasonal ups and downs, less overall stress about work uncertainty and the ability to be choosier about jobs.
Having another income is not only good for you but for the industry as a whole, says 2nd AD Rob Grieve, who also runs itinerary creation service Kiwi Does It. “It takes your mind off being quiet, getting down and the worry about finances, or where your next job is coming from,” Rob says. “If you have something you can complement with TV and film work then it’s just such a healthy thing.”
Feedback from other crew when they hear about Kiwi Does It is positive, he says. “They’re happy for me but I can see in their eyes or hear in their tone that they’d love to have the ability to pop in and out as well.”
Kiwi Does It is a high-end personalised itinerary creation service aimed at wealthy overseas visitors to New Zealand. When Rob started it ten years ago it was about tapping into what he knew – luxury travel and wealthy people. It followed him working overseas as a ski instructor and on luxury boats. “I thought why not cater for overseas people coming down here – I could put together trips for them and utilise the overseas client base.”
Kiwi Does It has grown mainly through word of mouth and referrals. A key to any business, he says, is offering a good product or service and making sure customers or clients have a positive experience.
Occasionally Rob can combine Kiwi Does It with the film and TV industry (which he got into around the same time, working in the South Island on The Lord of the Rings). “The film industry can be really fickle and really close-knit, which I totally understand because I’m in it,” he says. “But I’ve done the odd job – I’ve taken care of Tommy Lee Jones and a few other people.”
Kiwi Does It’s seasonal downtime in winter works well. “Film and TV is an industry that I love but I don’t want to be in it full time,” he says. “You can walk in and walk out, you put full energies into the job you’re on but then you walk away.” More crew feeling less pressure to take the not-so-great jobs also helps to lift the game for everyone.
The longest break was about a year between aerial units on The Hobbit and TVCs. “I’m always straight back to it, the old ear piece goes in and I’m getting talked to all day.”
While Kiwi Does It runs fairly smoothly now, it wasn’t the case in the early days. “I didn’t have systems or infrastructure in place, which are the backend behind the enquiries, so it took a lot of time to put an itinerary together and get it out.”
Building trust and goodwill with suppliers (like hotels) also took time. “No one knows you at first so it’s hard to get good rates.” You also need to be prepared to do the “boring and mundane yards” including legal structure and accounting set up. “If you don’t have the backend you don’t have the business.”
Marketing is another key to doing well and Rob saw the importance of a website very early on. He says Google Adwords is the way to go.
Rob met his initial business goals pretty quickly but he says a mentor from the tourism industry would’ve been very welcomed. His focus now is on a comfortable balance of business and life. “I don’t want my business to be huge – I don’t want it to rule my life and take over,” he says. “I want to get to a point where I’m doing 15 itineraries each year, making a bit of coin from it and turning people away because I’m busy.”
Core qualities
Runner Rory Turei co-owns Apple repairs, sales and service specialist The Core and equipment rental business Locations Central.
Starting a business is about taking opportunities when they come your way, he says. When Magnum Mac moved out of space in his father’s building four years ago, Rory jumped at the chance to start a computer business with his dad.
You don’t have to be an expert at what you’re selling, he says, rather just give your idea a go. “To this day I don’t know how to fix a computer, but I know how to manage people and how to put the right people in the right positions to get a result.”
Anyone can start a business, he says, just put your thoughts and talk into action. If one idea doesn’t work then try another. “Before you know it one will stick and you’ve got it under your belt,” he says. “It’s a pretty big step for anyone to step out of their comfort zone and start a new venture, a lot of people talk but don’t follow through.”
Don’t worry if you don’t have a clear strategy he says, things change and most important is being adaptable. The Core has turned out a lot different to what he originally thought it’d be. “Be prepared to move it in a different direction, how you get from start to finish can change dramatically,” he says. “You’ll learn, you’ll stumble and you’ll make mistakes but just have a go and grow with it.”
Monitoring performance regularly is important, as is having good software and an accounting package. “At any time I can see where we’re at, I can look at turnover, profit margins, where growth is needed and where margins need to be added or cut,” he says. “It’s important to understand the areas where the business is doing well and where it isn’t.”
The Core now has three employees and six contractors and its clients include major insurance companies. “I could leave this business now for two weeks and it’d be fine, I’ve got a manager and a team in place and I don’t need to be here. These guys can run day-to-day quite easily.”
You need to be able to quickly identify potential in people along with work ethic and attitude traits. “My manager at The Core used to pump gas at the end of my road but I knew he had IT experience and I knew he was going to be a great asset to us so I gave him a trial and he was amazing,” he says.
“One employee started with The Core as a student and being a bit of a computer whiz was able to build the company’s website. Another came in as a photographer knowing nothing about fixing phones and little about Apple, but was trained up and now looks after the whole iPad and iPhone side of the business.”
Rory co-owns Locations Central with another runner. They’ve already recouped their start-up funds and have plans to grow the business as stock and staff allows. Having a business partner can ease the burden but he only recommends doing it with someone you totally trust.
Avoid big overheads early on and take costs on only you need to, he says. “That’s the thing that will catch you out.”
Brand your business carefully as it helps set prices. Rory uses Google Adwords, Facebook and Twitter amongst his marketing tools. “If you spend money to get a person through your door then it’s in your interest to keep them coming back. Your client is gold and you want to hold onto them.” Always accommodate your customers and keep them happy.
Do your homework, he says, make sure your business offers something different. Looking for opportunities that work in with the TV and film industry is a good idea. “You can identify a niche in any market, but it makes perfect sense if it’s in your existing market as you already have relationships there instead of having to cold call.” Both his businesses keep him in touch with film and TV contacts. “It’s great for relationship building.”
