We recently connected with Armin Korsos and have shared our conversation below.

Armin, appreciate you joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Filmmaker Friday Chicago stands out because it fills a gap in the Chicago film community that I saw firsthand—there was no consistent, well-structured event series that brought together filmmakers in a way that felt both professional and welcoming. I started Filmmaker Friday because I was unsatisfied with the scattered, often exclusive nature of other film gatherings in the city. I knew there could be something better—something that wasn’t just another industry mixer, but a space where students, working professionals, and established filmmakers could connect without barriers. The formula is simple: we don’t overcomplicate sign-ups, we keep events concise at three hours, and we rotate between networking and panel discussion formats. Unlike other event series, we don’t overload people with a full calendar months in advance—we announce each event just 7-14 days out, creating real anticipation. That approach, combined with our intentional community-building, has led to an overwhelming demand, with 300+ RSVP spots filling up in under 90 minutes. We didn’t reinvent the wheel—we just made it run a lot smoother.

Caymanite is different because we lead with heart, not hierarchy. We’re not chasing trends or waiting around for brands to tell us what stories are worth telling—we develop original films because we believe in them. While a lot of production companies operate on a “client-first, creativity-second” model, we flip that. We’re creative-first, and we bring that same level of care and intention into our client work, often pushing projects far beyond their budgets to create something lasting.

We also approach production with a filmmaker’s soul and an agency’s discipline. Caymanite isn’t just a service provider—it’s a collaborative force. Whether it’s a branded doc, a commercial campaign, or an original film, we obsess over the details and bring a human element to everything we do. We don’t make things for algorithms—we make things that people actually feel. That’s what makes us different.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey into filmmaking began in college, where I combined business and marketing courses with my passion for storytelling. I knew the traditional union filmmaking path wasn’t for me, so I set my sights on building my own company. By the time I graduated in December 2020, I had everything ready to launch Caymanite. Drawing from my background in team sports like swimming and water polo, I wanted to create strong, collaborative teams for film projects.

Caymanite specializes in producing stories with lifelong impact. We work with brands and clients who value authentic storytelling, aiming to weave narratives that feel less like commercials and more like entertainment. Beyond filmmaking, I founded Filmmaker Friday Chicago to address a gap in the local film community. We host monthly events that bring together students and industry professionals in a welcoming, non-exclusive environment. Our approach is simple yet effective: easy sign-ups, focused promotion, and relevant panel discussions. Long-term, I hope to show that community is the foundation of filmmaking, and that distribution is just the beginning of a film’s journey. Our goal is to continue fostering this sense of inclusivity and support for filmmakers in Chicago and beyond.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building a strong reputation in this industry comes down to consistency, quality, and a clear creative vision. With Caymanite, we’ve built our reputation by consistently delivering projects that far exceed their budgets—pushing every dollar on screen to make films feel bigger, bolder, and more impactful than what clients expect. But beyond client work, what really sets us apart is our commitment to original storytelling. We don’t sit around waiting for brands to greenlight projects—we develop and produce Caymanite Original films because we believe in the stories we’re telling. That level of initiative and independence has earned us trust and respect in both the commercial and documentary spaces.

Filmmaker Friday has further cemented our reputation as a cornerstone of Chicago’s film community. We’ve established ourselves as one of the city’s premier film events by staying consistent, delivering real value, and creating a space where people actually want to be. We’re not just another industry networking event—we foster a community that welcomes students, professionals, and seasoned filmmakers alike. The demand for our events speaks for itself, with RSVPs filling up in under 90 minutes. People know when they come to a Caymanite production or a Filmmaker Friday event, they’re stepping into something well-executed, thoughtfully curated, and worth their time.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale starts with picking the right people for the job. Beyond just skill sets, I believe in deeply understanding the personalities, motivations, and working styles of the people I bring onto a project. A strong team isn’t just about talent—it’s about chemistry. I don’t want to micromanage or hold hands; I’m looking for people who can be decisive, who, once they understand the project’s vision and objectives, can take off from there. Some people like to be guided through every step—for me, that’s exhausting. I need a team that can think independently, solve problems on their own, and take a burden off my shoulders, not add to it.

For The Ontario Pursuit, I built the team with that exact mindset. I knew Chad Gilchrist, Peyton Johnson, Jeremy Bloom, and Max Rood weren’t just talented—they were adaptable, sharp, and capable of making quick decisions in the field. This was the most logistically challenging project I’ve ever taken on. Our subject, Phil Fox, was constantly moving, and we had to chase him down for the entire 500-mile route around Lake Ontario, including navigating an international border crossing, all while filming on the move. We rigged camera gear to the chase vehicle, shooting dynamically from the road in constantly changing weather conditions. There was no time for hesitation—everyone had to be locked in, making fast, informed decisions without waiting for approval at every step.

At the end of the day, morale isn’t about keeping things easy—it’s about keeping people engaged. When a team feels like they’re part of something meaningful and are working alongside people they respect, they don’t need hand-holding; they step up and own their part of the project. That’s how you get great films, and that’s how you build a team that actually makes your job easier, not harder.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caymanite.us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armincreates/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arminkorsos/
• Other: https://www.filmmakerfridaychicago.org/
  https://www.instagram.com/filmmakerfridaychicago/