Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cruise Sztamenits. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Cruise, appreciate you joining us today. Is your team able to work remotely? If so, how have you made it work? What, if any, have been the pitfalls? What have been the non-obvious benefits?
I really appreciate you having me. Yes, my company is capable of a complete remote workflow, being hired remotely by the client. I was used to it pre-covid, however these post-covid times have certainly amplified the importance of a remote workflow. Being flexible and able to work with clients anywhere in the world is actually an incredible thing. It is certainly nice to have your key collaborators in person, there’s a lot you can miss over Zoom; Directors should always be on set. However a remote workflow can introduce major cost cuts especially on lower budget advertising projects. Less money spent on travel and lodging for clients and agency which means more money can go in front of the camera and post production can be anywhere. I’m glad this workflow is being adopted the way it is, it was rocky at first but I think the more everyone has gotten used to it, the more it’s allowed for more flexibility.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Cruise Sztamenits, I own Nonlinear Productions, a production company that specializes in moving image storytelling in both Narrative and Advertising. Everyone has a story, even a good product has a story, and we like to uncover that and present it to the world in the most truthful way possible while entertaining and exciting the viewer, making them want to enter the world we’ve created. We’re based out of Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas but we have global production capabilities.
I got into this industry because filmmaking was a childhood dream. It seemed very impossible, but as a child nothing feels truly impossible. As I grew up I realized there was a way to turn that dream into reality so I did. I’ve been working in film since I was 15 years old. Haven’t looked back. Now I’m transitioning more of my focus on the creative side than the technician side, balancing both personal freelance film work with my company’s.
I’m most proud of the growth and relationships I’ve developed along the way. The main thing people should know about Nonlinear is that we’re very adaptable. Every project needs its own specialized approach, working narrative is very different from advertising, corporate can also be very different, and with years of experience working on every type of set, we know exactly how to maintain efficiency, stay on budget and deliver great work that everyone is proud of.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
It’s a heavy handed question. There’s things a lot of non-creatives, even anyone who’s not in this industry struggles to understand. I’ll keep it brief. One aspect is the lifestyle. When you’re trying to grow in the film industry, it’s all consuming. You often have no clue what your next week’s schedule looks like or even your next day. It’s incredibly difficult to plan any non-work activities because you just never know who’s gonna give you a call to work. And you can’t say no. It’s not like after hours at a 9-5. Saying no if the project is good and you’re not booked on something else would just lead to countless missed opportunities. As a freelancer, your next five jobs could come as a result of that one, and as a company, it’s the same. The client could have another project for you, could recommend you to another client, or someone could just see the work and want to hire you based off that. So you have to be incredibly flexible and it can take a toll on relationships outside of the industry.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Honesty, enthusiasm and high quality work. It’s something that’s not too common in this business, the honesty part that is. A lot of people are trying to squeeze absolutely everything out of you and lead you on with big exciting words and promises that amount to nothing. People can be extremely verbose in their approach to business, as much as I do love talking I prefer the matter of fact approach. Slice through the BS and get to business. We want to create, so let’s create. Let’s figure out the most efficient plan of attack, manage expectations based on budget, and let’s have fun. If I agree to do something, I do it full speed, all my energy, all my expertise; nothing’s left on the table. Reputation is important, that’s all you have in this industry. A fair deal is not a phrase used often by film-workers, but one of my goals throughout my career will always be ensuring everyone who works for me has a fair deal. Business is a two way street, and so often the person signing the check wants it to only be their way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cruisesztamenitsfilm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruisesztamenits/?hl=en
- Other: Company Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user150911000 Personal Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user87754963
Image Credits
Haley Jennings Jörg Viktor Steins-Lauß Tüesday Addams Gray Deuber Emma Evans