The Power of Retainers: My Journey to Full-Time Freelance Video Production

Brian Hunts explains how retainer clients helped him transition from a secure full-time video production job to full-time freelance filmmaking. After graduating in the early 2000s during the SARS disruption in Toronto, he worked a mix of freelance gigs, short contracts, and eventually a government-style internal video role while also taking side work to support his growing family. A friend suggested year-long retainers: clients paid the same amount monthly in exchange for an agreed scope of shooting days and finished videos, which stabilized cash flow and helped clients budget. Brian secured three 12-month retainers that exceeded his salary, let him leave his job with less workload, and ultimately more than doubled his income in the first year. He also shares contract lessons, including notice requirements and cancellation terms. 00:00 Intro Retainer Clients 00:12 Early Career During SARS 01:16 Full Time Job Burnout 02:24 What A Retainer Is 04:06 Landing Three Retainers 05:18 Quitting And Scaling Up 06:27 Contract Pitfalls To Avoid 08:01 Making Retainers Win Win 08:54 Wrap Up And Subscribe _____________________________________________________________________ #1 Tip on getting more work :    • The Number 1 Way To Get Work In FILM   A "Spec" project will help to get you work in Film !:    • A "Spec" project will help to get you work...   Working for free made me over $200K!    • Working for free made me over $200K!   Word of Mouth is Still King! For getting work in Film    • The Secret Power of Word of Mouth in the F...   HOW TO GET MORE WORK IN FILM AND VIDEO    • HOW TO GET MORE WORK IN FILM AND VIDEO   _____________________________________________________________________ S U B S C R I B E T O M Y C H A N N E L    / brianhunt   _____________________________________________________________________ ▼ M Y G E A R ▼ SONY FX9 -    • Sony FX9 vs FS7   FAVORITE TRIPOD - SACHTLER FLOWTECH - h ttps://   • Sachtler Flowtech Long Term Review   AUDIO RECORDER - ZOOM F6 -    • 32 Bit Float Audio BLEW MY MIND!!   FAVORITE LENSES - SIGMA ART SERIES -    • Best Bang for the Buck Zoom lenses kit!   DRONES - DJI INSPIRE 2 AND DJI MAVIC 2 PRO -    • DJI Inspire 2 VS DJI Mavic 2 Pro - Gear Ga...   _____________________________________________________________________ SEE MY WORK AND PORTFOLIO: www.brianhuntvisual.com CHECK OUT MY PRODUCTION COMPANY AT www.hvisual.media INSTAGRAM:   / brianhuntvi.  . FACEBOOK:   / brianhunt