Video Production Business? (Chicago, Columbia: for sale, transfer, weddings)

[St Starseed]

Hello one and all,
A goal of mine while living in Chicago (my wife and I move there at the end of December) is to start a successful video production business.

Services would include video transfer (VHS to DVD), videography (sports events and corporate functions) and "highlight videos" (emotional videos for reunions, weddings and graduations).

Does anyone know of any resources in the Chicagoland area I can utilize to help me get this project off the ground? Do you see a significant need in the market for this sort of thing?

Thanks!

[Windy City John]

look under "creative gigs" on craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums for people looking for video opps.


You'll find lots of competiton here-- just google chicago video weddings--but find a niche like kids soccer, S&M reality, or big fat danish weddings.

[Avengerfire]

I think as a side project you can do ok, but you will not get rich. If that is your main way of earning income, it would be very hard.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by St Starseed

Hello one and all,
A goal of mine while living in Chicago (my wife and I move there at the end of December) is to start a successful video production business.

Services would include video transfer (VHS to DVD), videography (sports events and corporate functions) and "highlight videos" (emotional videos for reunions, weddings and graduations).

Does anyone know of any resources in the Chicagoland area I can utilize to help me get this project off the ground? Do you see a significant need in the market for this sort of thing?

Thanks!

I'm sure there are possibilities here for you. Just remember that it's one of the largest markets in the US, so the chances of you doing something THAT groundbreaking are slim. Chances are, there's someone else doing something similar right around the corner.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

I'm sure there are possibilities here for you. Just remember that it's one of the largest markets in the US, so the chances of you doing something THAT groundbreaking are slim. Chances are, there's someone else doing something similar right around the corner.

If they can grab a couple government projects or private projects for example and get the bid they might make some quick good bucks, but otherwise you are very correct.

Some side money-yes,but do not quit your day job or business!

[eevee]

plus, you may have to compete w/ all the Columbia/other art school grads though. I know at least 2 Columbia students already doing this (and they probably have access to the school's video editing equipment).

[davidrichter]

Check out [url=http://www.creativedir.com]Creative Directory Services[/url]. Its a directory of pretty much all the players in the market. May help you to get a feel for things and it supplies contact information for you to introduce yourself and services.