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In this episode with Adam Thal, we talk about the 30-second spot, how the attention economy is rapidly changing, the entertainment and film industry in South Africa. Adam shares how he teamed up with his biggest competitor to start his company, the goods, and bads about working with an academy award winner and being a big fish in a small sea.\n\nSubscribe on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radeo/id1250841955) \nor Soundcloud \n(https://soundcloud.com/radeopodcast)\n \nAbout Adam:\nHaving graduated from AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture) in 2003, Adam Thal wasted no time in setting up his commercial production company with his late business partner, Ryan Poole. \n\nThe Star Film Company was born while in his honours year at AFDA and 15 years later is considered one of the top production houses in South Africa with a multimillion-rand turnover. \nBesides for running the business, as Executive Producer, Adam manages a stable of 7 incredibly talented directors making sure that every job is delivered on time, on budget and to the highest level of quality! In his tenure, his work has managed to pick up numerous trophies and awards from festivals around the world with the latest being a lion at the 2018 Cannes Lions.\n\nBesides these accolades, Adam has been fortunate enough to produce work across the globe. From Los Angeles to Accra, Cairo to Cape Town, Moscow to Nairobi, and many more. The excitement for Adam is the lack of the mundane office cubicle and that each day brings a new adventure. \n\nAdam\u2019s expertise lies in the business side of filmmaking and knowing when to spend and when to cut deals. Putting the money in front of the camera and making sure scheduling and logistics are always on point. Over his time in the industry, Adam has made a great name for himself as Executive Producer and is a well-respected individual amongst his clients and peers.\n \nBeing in an industry you love, makes work fun and for Adam, there is nothing more rewarding than turning your passion into your business.\n\n\u201cAll Our Dreams can come true if we have the passion to pursue them\u201d - Walt Disney\n\nSome of Adam\u2019s work below:\n\nhttps://vimeo.com/album/4469997/video/117252716 - Tusker Lite Beer (Kenya)\nhttps://vimeo.com/album/4469997/video/176430471 - Coronation Asset Management (South Africa)\nhttps://vimeo.com/236708574 - ShowMax (South Africa)\nhttps://vimeo.com/232020474 - Huggies Baby Marathon Trailer (South Africa)\n \n \nShow notes:\nExplain to us what your business is 01:26\nWhat is the difference between being a CEO and an Executive Producer? 02:05\nDoes the Executive Producer run the finances of the business? 02:42\nDo you think, with the attention economy changing, that you now have to master the 5-second spot? 03:43\nDo you apply the 5-second pitch to your own business? 05:37\nCan you tell us a bit about your entrepreneurial journey? 06:41\nAdam\u2019s almost computer building company 08:24\nWhat introduced you to filmmaking and the entertainment industry? 10:05\nDoes the South African industry have future potential in your opinion? 11:52\nWas your jump straight into TV commercials, or was there a jump before that? 14:47\nHow did you meet and team up with your business partner? 15:45\nHow did you come back from losing your business partner? 17:58\nHow would you describe your current business partner? 20:12\nDo you find it challenging to work with someone who is an Academy Award winner? 22:30\nHow big is your staffing team? 24:22\nDo you think other businesses should look into having a staffing system similar to yours? 25:44\nPaying freelancers more than you would pay yourself 27:22\nWhat is the biggest cost to your company? 29:45\nIf you could go back and give yourself some advice, what would you tell yourself? 32:40\nHow has your business grown since you\u2019ve changed how you think about the industry? 36:14\nWhat\u2019s your current driver? 38:40\nShooting with the team in Los Angeles 41:30\nEO specialist groups that you can reach out to 43:30