When I started my company in September 2020, my motivation was simple: I wanted to keep doing what I love (producing content) while eliminating the parts of the industry that I felt were broken. One of the biggest issues I saw was the lack of transparency — towards clients, crew, and suppliers.
The Problem with Traditional Cost Structures
In the traditional production model, profit is built on the equation:
Savings + Markup = Profit
While this works as a business strategy, I found that the “savings” part of the equation often came at a cost, damaging relationships and, more importantly, compromising creative output.
Crew & Supplier Relationships – Pushing down rates to increase margins or reallocate budgets often creates mistrust. Crew members arrive on set feeling undervalued, yet they’re expected to push harder under already demanding conditions. This inevitably affects morale, performance, and ultimately, the final product.
Client Transparency – Clients often have no idea where savings are being made. They assume they’re paying full rates, and when they push for more, they don’t see the hidden struggles happening on the ground. Meanwhile, the crew standing next to them sees things very differently.
Creative Limitations – When profit comes before problem-solving, creative solutions are often shut down before they can even be explored. Cost management should be about finding the most effective solution, not just cutting corners to stay under budget.
The Case for Cost Transparency
I believe that radical transparency in production isn’t just about fairness—it’s about efficiency. The time spent managing hidden costs, negotiating rates in secrecy, and navigating the tension it creates is time wasted. Instead, an open and honest approach allows for:
More trust across all stakeholders – When everyone understands the budget constraints upfront, solutions can be found collaboratively.
Better creative outcomes – If the budget doesn’t match the vision, then the vision should be adapted, not compromised in ways that hurt the final product.
Long-term industry relationships – Reputation matters. Constantly squeezing crew and suppliers might work in the short term, but over time, it affects who is willing to work with you.
Rethinking Production Economics
The industry needs a mindset shift: Profitability and creativity are not mutually exclusive. A transparent approach to budgeting ensures that every rand spent is going towards the best possible outcome—one that is sustainable for everyone involved.
I would love to hear from others—what are your thoughts on cost transparency in the production industry? Have you experienced the tension that comes from unclear budget structures? Let’s discuss.
Written by Chris Coetsee
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