In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Arni Thor Jonsson from Republik (Iceland) dives into the intricacies of video production, documentary filmmaking, and running a creative business in Iceland. Arni shares his unique journey from growing up immersed in his father’s pioneering production company to founding Republik with his brother, highlighting the lessons learned from working with international crews and navigating unpredictable conditions. Discover valuable insights on balancing commercial work with long-format documentaries, managing creative partnerships, and overcoming production challenges like unpredictable weather and tight budgets. This conversation is packed with practical advice and inspiration for marketers and filmmakers aiming to thrive in competitive, specialized markets.
Creatives Grab Coffee is produced by Lapse Productions, a video production company based out of Toronto, Canada. Reach out to them for your video production needs.
SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment and Audio Process
Watch: Crafting Stories in Iceland (ft. Republik) #90
Listen: Crafting Stories in Iceland (ft. Republik) #90
Key Takeaways
• Family Influence: Growing up in a family-run production business provided Arni with foundational knowledge and industry insights.
• Creative Flexibility: Republik thrives by keeping a nimble, versatile team capable of handling diverse projects, from commercials to documentaries.
• Market Adaptation: In Iceland’s competitive, specialized market, success hinges on creative storytelling, adaptability, and strong local expertise.
• Budget Management: Icelandic producers excel at delivering high-quality content within tight budgets by leveraging small, multi-skilled crews and strategic equipment investments.
• Navigating Unpredictability: Arni emphasizes meticulous contingency planning, especially regarding Iceland’s unpredictable weather conditions for production.
• Balanced Documentary Filmmaking: Successful documentaries require thorough, impartial research and an openness to exploring all perspectives of a story.
• Continuous Learning: Returning to school enhanced Arni’s documentary filmmaking by sharpening his research skills, critical thinking, and storytelling discipline.
