We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Terry O’Deen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Terry, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

During the pandemic, when film production halted, we saw an opportunity in the booming world of online content. We soon partnered with MrBeast’s team, then a growing YouTube channel, blending traditional filming techniques with the fast pace of web content creation. This collaboration allowed us both to innovate and redefine content creation, setting new standards for the digital age.

Terry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been in the film industry since my teenage years, starting with film school, which taught me the basics. A few years later, working at a lighting rental shop in Chicago, I learned the business side of film. The key to our success at Sunset Lighting and Grip lies in two things: using the right tools and constantly innovating to bring clients’ visions to life. Filmmakers are dreamers, and our company is the one they call when they need both our experience and the vast resources we’ve accumulated over 30 years. While budget, time constraints, and unrealistic expectations are the big challenges in this industry, we see them as opportunities to creatively solve problems

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

In the 1990s, while starting out in Chicago, I worked on TV commercials and music videos. It was an exciting time, but I quickly realized that being a laborer on set had its limitations—you had to be present to earn money. Observing that everything on set was rented repeatedly, I saw an opportunity. The first thing I bought was a pop-up tent, which I began renting out. From then on, I invested every dollar I earned into more equipment.

When my wife and I started a family, we moved to North Carolina, where I decided to start my own business renting out gear. Using income from my small rental package and retirement savings, I bought more equipment, including walkie-talkies, focusing on long-term ROI.

That’s when I understood that the most basic business concept—filling a need—could be very lucrative. Simple things like communication tools, shelter, and even director’s chairs turned out to be essential and profitable

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are a few books that have profoundly impacted me. I particularly enjoy biographies, especially of rock ‘n’ roll musicians, as they often start with one person having a clear vision, and the courage, luck, and collaborative environment to make it happen. However, the books I consider essential are *The Black Swan* and *Antifragile* by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. They taught me that unexpected events are inevitable, but being prepared can make all the difference. Most recently, *4000 Weeks* by Oliver Burkeman has been an invaluable guide in helping me understand the true value and scarcity of time, which is a priceless commodity in the film business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www..sunsetgrip.com
• Instagram: @sunsetlightingandgrip

Image Credits

Elliott O’Deen Photography