Eric D. Seals is a cinematographer, editor and film director based in Chicago, IL. He graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky with degrees in Electronic Media and Business Administration. Eric got his start in the film and media industry at ESPN, where he worked as a video editor. Transitioning from media to focus on film and video production, Eric returned to Chicago and launched a freelance career working with clients such as Miller Lite, ComEd and Leo Burnett.
Eric is the founder and creative director of Digife, a video production company based in Chicago. Eric is a Diverse Voices in Documentaries Fellow with Kartemquin Films, the leading documentary film house in the Midwest. Eric is currently developing his fourth film, Bike Vessel, through his fellowship with Kartemquin.
One question consistently comes my way "How do you build a client list?" It's a bit of a mystery for many freelancers, and the answers often lack real insight. In this episode, I unravel the story of how we attract clients—navigating social media, tackling SEO, exploring staffing websites, crafting cold emails, showcasing past work, and relying on the power of word of mouth. Join me as we uncover genuine strategies together, making the client-building process a little less mysterious!
3 Dec 2023
008: Director of Photographer for the Tulsa Massacre on the History Channel
I was the Director of Photographer on the Tulsa Massacre documentary for the History Channel a few years ago. In this episode, I share my first-hand account of the experience. Join me and learn what it was like to film something of that scale for a channel like that, what went well, and what could have gone better. Interestingly, this was my first time filming something of such magnitude, and it all stemmed from a free project I had done a year before.
5 Sept 2023
007: Starting A Production Company
Before starting a production company, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your reasons for doing so. In this episode, I share the things I've learned and what I would do if I were starting a production company today. I'll provide valuable insights to help you ensure that you're on the right track from the outset.
24 Mar 2021
006: Take Care of your Co-Workers
In this episode of A Filmmaker's Guide to Freelancing, I focus on taking care of your co-workers, aka other freelancers you work with. While we don't have an HR department, we need to help our fellow freelancers.
17 Mar 2021
005: Building your Process for Success
There's a lot of focus on pressing record and less on the process of building a successful project for a client.
In this episode, I discuss focusing on the process and less on what type of camera you have.
27 Jan 2021
004: Watch out for these Red Flags
There are red and yellow flag terms I listen closely for when talking to a potential client on a new project. While there can be exceptions to some of these rules, I've found that they stay valid for the most part.
In this episode, I list out reg flag warnings to watch out for when working with new clients.
20 Jan 2021
003: Pandemic Freelancing
In this episode of A Filmmaker's Guide to Freelancing, I discuss the steps we took as a company to survive the pandemic, how we approached this challenge, how we pivoted, and how 2020 became our strongest year to date.
13 Jan 2021
001: Working with Bad Clients
In this first episode, I discuss how to work with bad clients.
13 Jan 2021
002: Questions I ask when submitting a bid.
In this episode of A Filmmaker's Guide to Freelancing, I discuss key questions you should ask your client before you submit your bid.
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