Lantern Hill Video Productions

Words in [brackets] are blanks you fill in with your own details when you adopt this sample in Supreme Plan AI.

Executive Summary

Lantern Hill Video Productions is a video production company in Connecticut. We make commercial videos, brand stories, event and wedding films and ongoing social media video for small and mid-sized businesses, nonprofits and families. A client gets one team that plans, shoots, edits and delivers, with clear prices and deadlines.

Why this fits. Nearly every business now needs video, for its website, its social media and its sales. But many owners do not have the equipment, time or skill, and cheap options often look cheap. A small studio that works closely with clients, delivers on time and offers a monthly package earns steady, repeat work, and a good wedding or event film earns referrals.

Here is what our numbers show. In Year 1 we plan about 20 commercial and brand video projects, 32 event and wedding films and 48 client-months of social video retainers (about four clients). That brings in sales of $196,000, growing to $636,137 by Year 5 as we add a team and retainer clients. We expect a loss of about $11,700 in Year 1 because the equipment and marketing are paid before the first clients, then a profit of about $59,200 in Year 2, $72,000 in Year 3 and $73,800 by Year 5. Our profit dips in Year 4 when we add a producer and a third videographer before the work arrives.

We need $123,000 in total. Of that, $71,500 is startup costs (two cinema cameras with lenses, lighting and audio gear, a gimbal and drone, an editing workstation and storage, licenses, legal setup, branding and a demo reel, and insurance), and the rest is cash to cover the first months. I am putting in $73,000 of my own savings and asking for a $50,000 equipment loan.

I am Nadia Okoro, the owner and producer-director, with eleven years in video, including seven as a producer at a marketing agency. These numbers are estimates based on the assumptions listed at the end of this plan, not promises.

Company Description

Lantern Hill Video Productions is a small, independently owned video production company in Connecticut, planned as a limited liability company (LLC). We serve local businesses, nonprofits, schools and families in our region.

Our mission. To tell clear, honest and well-made stories with video.

What we believe. A video should do a job: sell, explain, honor or remember. We start by asking what the client needs, write a simple plan and price, shoot with care and respect for the people in front of the camera and deliver on time. We handle music, footage and releases properly, and we tell clients when a smaller or simpler video will serve them better.

What we offer:
- Commercial and brand videos. Short films for websites, ads and social media, from planning to delivery.
- Event and wedding films. Highlight films and full coverage of weddings, conferences and community events.
- Monthly social video retainers. A set number of short videos each month for a business that wants steady content.
- Drone and gimbal footage. Aerial and moving shots where the law and safety allow.

Who we serve. Local businesses, restaurants and retailers, nonprofits, schools, churches and families.

What we do not do. We do not use music or footage we have not licensed, publish a person's image without a release, fly a drone where it is not allowed or promise results such as sales or views.

How we are run. I am the owner and producer-director. A videographer and editor works with me from Year 1 and the team grows to four videographers. A part-time production assistant joins in Year 3 and a producer in Year 4. An accountant keeps the books.

Where things stand today. We have quotes for the cameras and editing system, a client contract and release form reviewed by an attorney, a demo reel of sample work and early interest from four small businesses, a nonprofit and two wedding couples. (Replace this with where you really are.)

Problem & Opportunity

Businesses know they need video but often do not know where to start. Many hire a friend with a camera and are disappointed. Others find agencies that charge high prices for work that goes beyond what they need. Clients may be surprised by costs for music, extra edits or file formats.

Event and wedding couples want films that show the day as it felt. Poor audio, missed moments and late delivery are common complaints.

Running a video company is also demanding. Cameras, lenses and computers are expensive and change quickly. Editing takes many hours that clients do not see. Work comes in waves, and a big project can crowd out marketing for the next one.

For a new studio, the hard parts are the cost of equipment, building a portfolio that wins trust, pricing projects fairly and turning one-time projects into monthly retainers.

We want to be clear about what we know and do not know. Video is a real and growing need for local businesses, and good studios find steady work. We do not know how fast clients will come, so our plan assumes a loss in Year 1 and cash to cover it. We will use current local numbers on businesses and competing studios in our final plan and will not overstate them.

Products & Services

Lantern Hill Video Productions will make clear, well-made videos on time and at a fair price.

How it works, step by step:
1. Discovery call. We ask about the goal, the audience, the budget and the deadline.
2. Proposal. We send a plan with the story, the shoot days, the deliverables and a fixed price.
3. Contract and releases. The client signs a short agreement, and we collect releases from anyone who appears on camera.
4. Pre-production. We write a script or shot list, scout locations, plan the schedule and check that we have permissions.
5. Shoot. A small crew shoots with professional cameras, lighting and sound, and respects the client's space and staff.
6. Edit. We edit the video, add music and graphics we have licensed and send a first cut for review.
7. Revise and deliver. We include a set number of revisions and deliver final files in the formats the client needs.
8. Follow up. We check results with the client, suggest short versions for social media and offer a monthly package.

Why this approach is strong. Clear plans and prices prevent surprises, and a careful process keeps quality high. Retainers give clients steady content and give us steady income.

Market Analysis

Who we serve: local businesses, restaurants and retailers, nonprofits, schools, churches and families in our region.

Our primary group is small and mid-sized businesses that want video for their websites and social media. Our secondary group is couples and organizations that want film of an event. We will use the most recent local numbers on businesses and competing studios in our final plan.

How we sized our plan. We plan about 20 commercial projects, 32 event and wedding films and 48 retainer client-months (about four clients) in Year 1, growing to 54, 72 and 180 client-months by Year 5 (about 15 clients). Our Year 1 prices are about $4,200 per commercial project, $1,700 per event film and $1,200 per retainer client each month, rising about 3% a year.

Demand data. Early interest from four small businesses, a nonprofit and two wedding couples covers part of the first months. We do not count on any one client. Wedding work peaks in spring and fall, and commercial work is steadier through the year.

We do not take every project. We decline work that needs equipment or crew we do not have, projects with unclear rights and requests that are unsafe.

Competitive Landscape

Other choices for clients, and what makes us different.

- Large agencies and production houses. They have big teams and big budgets. We offer a small studio with a senior producer on every job.
- Other independent videographers. Some are excellent. We compete on planning, reliability and clear contracts.
- Friends with cameras. They are cheap but variable. We offer professional gear, insurance and a contract.
- Do-it-yourself with a phone. It is fine for quick posts. We offer polish and strategy.
- Stock video and templates. They are cheap and generic. We offer footage of your own business.

What makes us different.
- A fixed price and a written plan.
- A senior producer-director on every shoot.
- Properly licensed music and footage and signed releases.
- Monthly packages that keep content flowing.

What we do not claim. We are new. Larger studios have more crews and bigger sets. We plan to earn trust one project at a time.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

How we will reach customers.

Portfolio and online. A website with a demo reel and case studies, a Google business listing, reviews and social media with behind-the-scenes clips, with each client's permission.

Local businesses. We will visit restaurants, shops and professional offices, offer a short sample video at a low price and show how a retainer works.

Chambers, nonprofits and schools. We will join the local chamber of commerce and business groups and offer discounted films for nonprofit events.

Wedding and event professionals. We will meet planners, venues, photographers and caterers and ask to be on their preferred lists.

Referrals. Every client is asked to refer one other business, with a discount on the next project.

Pricing. About $4,200 per commercial project, $1,700 per event film and $1,200 per retainer client each month in Year 1, quoted in writing.

Operations Plan

How the business will run.

Setup (the 2 to 3 months before the first project). We will form the LLC, get an EIN and open a business bank account, get the business license, buy and test the cameras, lighting, audio and editing system, set up cloud storage and project software, buy insurance, write the client contract and release forms, build a demo reel and plan the first shoots.

Equipment. Two cinema cameras with lenses and batteries, a lighting kit, microphones and audio gear, a gimbal, a drone and tripods and an editing workstation with monitors and storage.

Staffing. In Year 1: I serve as owner and producer-director. A videographer and editor, paid $46,000 a year, works with me. The videographers grow to two in Year 3, three in Year 4 and four in Year 5. A part-time production assistant, paid $26,000 a year, joins in Year 3 and a producer, paid $48,000 a year, joins in Year 4.

Costs. Direct costs for travel, stock footage, music licenses, freelance help and storage are about $950 per commercial project, $380 per event film and $280 per retainer client each month in Year 1. Software subscriptions and cloud storage are about $7,800 a year, insurance about $4,800, vehicle and travel about $5,400, marketing and networking about $14,000 and equipment repairs and rentals about $4,800.

Compliance. We use licensed music and footage, collect releases, follow the FAA rules for any drone work and back up every project in two places.

Payments. Clients pay a deposit when they sign, a payment at the first cut and a final payment at delivery. Retainer clients pay monthly. Our plan holds about $17,640 in unpaid invoices at the end of Year 1.

Insurance. We carry general liability, equipment coverage, and professional liability where clients ask for it.

Management & Organization

The people who will run Lantern Hill Video Productions.

Nadia Okoro, owner and producer-director. Eleven years in video, including seven years as a producer at a marketing agency, where she managed shoots, budgets and client relationships. She leads sales, production, quality and finance. (Replace this paragraph with your own background.)

Videographers and editors (from Year 1). Shoot and edit projects to the studio's standards. More join as we grow.

Production assistant (part-time, from Year 3). Supports shoots, schedules and file management.

Producer (from Year 4). Manages projects and client communication.

Outside advisors. A marketing consultant, an attorney, an accountant, an insurance broker and a free mentor from SCORE or the Small Business Development Center.

Staff pay in this plan is a full year per person: owner and producer-director $56,000, videographer and editor $46,000, part-time production assistant $26,000 and producer $48,000. Replace them with the pay you can offer where you live.

Milestones Narrative

Our goals and when we plan to reach them.
- Before the first project (2 to 3 months ahead): buy and test the equipment, write the client contract and release form, build a demo reel and book at least 5 first-month projects through business owners and couples.
- Year 1: a studio of two, about 20 commercial projects, 32 event films and four retainer clients; $196,000 in sales and a loss of about $11,700.
- Year 2: about 30 commercial projects, 46 event films and seven retainer clients; $314,150 in sales and a profit of about $59,200.
- Year 3: a second videographer and a production assistant, about 40 commercial projects and ten retainer clients; $435,606 in sales and a profit of about $72,000.
- Year 4: a producer and a third videographer, about 48 commercial projects and 13 retainer clients; $547,456 in sales and a profit of about $60,800.
- Year 5: four videographers, about 54 commercial projects and 15 retainer clients; $636,137 in sales and a profit of about $73,800.
Growth depends on winning and keeping customers, so treat the later years as goals, not promises.

What we check every week: proposals sent, projects booked and delivered, hours of editing per project, retainer clients, unpaid invoices and cash in the bank.

Funding Request

How much we need and how we will use it. Total we are raising: $123,000.

How we got that number. The Funding Need Calculator in this plan adds up three things:
- Startup costs of $71,500, listed item by item in the Startup Costs section: $24,000 for two cinema cameras with lenses and batteries; $12,000 for lighting kit, microphones and audio gear; $6,000 for gimbal, drone and tripods; $10,000 for editing workstation, monitors and storage; $1,500 for business license and music and footage licensing; $3,000 for attorney: client contract, release forms and LLC; $5,500 for branding, demo reel and a website; $4,500 for insurance down payment (liability and equipment); $5,000 for software subscriptions for the first year.
- The cash the business uses before it breaks even, about $12,300. Equipment and marketing are paid before projects arrive, and clients pay in stages about 33 days after delivery, so cash is needed in the early months.
- A cash cushion of about $36,900: three months of Year 1 operating costs.
- Together, the cash used before break even and the cushion come to about $49,100, and the three pieces add up to about $120,600, rounded up to the nearest $500: $121,000.
We are raising $2,000 more than that, $123,000 in all, to cover a slower first season than planned and the videographer added in Year 3. With this funding, the lowest year-end cash balance is about $46,200, at the end of Year 1.

Where the money comes from:
- My own money: $73,000.
- Equipment loan: $50,000.

Kind of funding we are looking for. An equipment loan from a lender that finances small business equipment, backed by my own savings and the cameras and editing system as collateral.

How we will pay it back. We expect a loss of about $11,700 in Year 1, a profit of about $59,200 in Year 2, a profit of about $72,000 in Year 3, a profit of about $60,800 in Year 4 and a profit of about $73,800 in Year 5. With this funding, the business has money in the bank at the end of every year of the plan. Our loan is the equipment loan at 10.5% over 5 years, about $1,075 a month. That payment is already included in our cash flow. We chose these as cautious planning rates; ask the lender for the real rates, which may be lower or higher.

What we are offering the lender: the equipment as collateral and my personal guarantee.

A smaller first step, if needed. If we cannot raise the full amount right away, we can start smaller and grow into this plan:
- Phase 1: start with one camera, a smaller lighting and audio kit and no drone, with the owner shooting and editing every project, which lowers startup costs and the loan.
- Phase 2: once projects are steady, add the second camera, the videographer and the drone and follow this plan.
To plan the smaller start, make a copy of this plan (use Duplicate) and lower the numbers to match.

All numbers in this plan are estimates. We will update them as real results come in.

Appendix Notes

Documents to attach before you send this plan:

- Your resume, demo reel and a personal financial statement (a list of what you own and what you owe; lenders usually provide a form).
- Business registration papers and your EIN (your business tax number from the IRS, free at irs.gov).
- Quotes for the cameras, lenses and editing system.
- Your client contract, release form and rate sheet.
- Your insurance quotes and any drone certificate you hold.
- Letters of interest from businesses and nonprofits.
- A short list of your first 15 prospects and how you will reach them.
If you don't have any of this yet, no worries - let's continue.

The assumptions behind our numbers (change them in the Financials section to match your own):
- Commercial and Brand Video Projects (per project): about $4,200 in Year 1, rising to $4,727; about $950 in direct costs, rising to $1,090; about 20 in Year 1, growing to 54.
- Event and Wedding Films (per event): about $1,700 in Year 1, rising to $1,913; about $380 in direct costs, rising to $436; about 32 in Year 1, growing to 72.
- Monthly Social Video Retainers (per client, per month): about $1,200 in Year 1, rising to $1,351; about $280 in direct costs, rising to $321; about 48 in Year 1, growing to 180.
- Commercial projects average about $4,200 in Year 1, event films about $1,700 and retainers about $1,200 per client each month. Prices rise about 3% a year.
- Equipment ($52,000 in Year 1) covers cameras, lighting, audio, drone and editing, and later years add and replace gear ($8,000, $10,000, $12,000 and $8,000 in Years 2 to 5).
- Pay (a full year, per person): owner and producer-director $56,000; videographer and editor $46,000; production assistant (part-time) $26,000; producer $48,000.
- Other yearly costs in Year 1: software subscriptions and cloud storage $7,800, insurance $4,800, vehicle and travel $5,400, marketing and networking $14,000, equipment repairs and rentals $4,800, accounting and legal $3,600, payroll taxes $5,000. These grow between 5% and 12% a year.
- Startup equipment and later purchases ($52,000 in Year 1, then $8,000, $10,000, $12,000 and $8,000) are spread evenly over five years in the plan's books.
- Customers and payers pay about 33 days after service, so at the end of Year 1 about $17,640 is still owed to us. Income tax at 21%.
- Every dollar amount is an estimate. Replace them with your own quotes and research.

Startup Costs