Making a Short Film with 2 People & Zero Budget

2026 Video Strategy for Business Owners: What to Focus On

🔹HOSTS: Aaron Sherman ( YouTube @buildwithfire5 ) Leo Curbelo ( YouTube @LeoCurbeloFilms ) Creator Fury Episode 7 dives into how business owners and creators should rethink their 2026 video strategy in a world dominated by AI tools, subscription fatigue, and ever-shifting algorithms. Aaron and Leo talk candidly about losing traditional post-production work to automation, why learning AI tools is now part of the job, and how to stay ahead by thinking “two or three cars ahead” instead of clinging to old workflows. Most importantly, this episode focuses on where humans still win: real people on camera, authentic employee-driven videos, and live-action spots that connect emotionally instead of looking like generic AI sludge. Aaron and Leo compare AI production vs. live action, talk about using non-union and international shoots to manage budgets, and explain why short-form storytelling (30–90 second “micro-stories”) remains a huge opportunity for small businesses in 2026. If you’re a freelancer, in-house marketer, or business owner wondering “Where do I fit now?”, this episode lays out how to blend AI tools with genuine human presence, plan smarter content, and avoid getting buried under a thousand subscription services and engines. Recent industry news for January 2026: Apple’s new Final Cut/Logic cloud suite has been released, and also just released a "real-time" AI video tool from China, Alibaba’s PixVerse is changing expectations for speed, cost, and quality. Apple: https://www.xda-developers.com/apple-aims-to-take-on-adobe-with-its-new-creator-studio-suite/ [https://www.xda-developers.com/apple-aims-to-take-on-adobe-with-its-new-creator-studio-suite/] CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/13/alibaba-backed-pixverse-real-time-ai-video-generation-tool-investors-startup-openai-sora.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/13/alibaba-backed-pixverse-real-time-ai-video-generation-tool-investors-startup-openai-sora.html] Actionable Takeaways Ideas on building emotional, short-form campaigns and a reminder that AI is a tool—not a replacement—for your voice, craft, and creativity. Tune in weekly for tips, tricks and hacks on promo videos, branding, and successful campaigns. Like, subscribe, and comment your hook ideas below! Contact fire5films.com [http://fire5films.com], @LeoCurbeloFilms or Creator Fury for free consults. We'd love to speak with you. 👥 Book a FREE 1:1 session with us to discuss your project needs. If you want help turning your customers’ pain points into clear, effective short-form promo videos, reach out to Creator Fury for a no-pressure chat about your next project. Just schedule 15 minutes with us here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar] CREATOR FURY ALL EPISODES: 👉 • CREATOR FURY VIDEO PODCAST 🔹 Aaron also teaches and assists you with your After Effects solutions, so grab Aaron's free After Effects presets & resources here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome] ✨ Thank you for listening! Subscribe for more live filmmaker breakdowns, Video Engagement tips, and BTS workflow experiments.

Marketing Hooks That Make Your Ads Unforgettable

🔹HOSTS: Aaron Sherman (https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWithFire5 [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWithFire5]) Leo Curbelo (https://www.instagram.com/leocurbelofilm/ [https://www.instagram.com/leocurbelofilm/]) Creator Fury Episode 6 dives into crafting standout marketing hooks for business promo videos, moving beyond generic templates and AI tools to create engaging, personalized content that drives sales. Hosts Aaron Sherman and Leo Curbelo share real-world examples like Volkswagen's legendary "Lemon" anti-ad and the quirky Isuzu "Lies" campaign to show how humor and self-deprecation hook audiences. Using different angles such as anti-ads, personality-driven stories, or dramatized customer scenarios can help you stand out from influencers and cookie-cutter templates. Recent industry news for December 2025: Omnicom-IPG merger, Netflix-Warner Bros, Paramount deals, and Disney's moves impacting creativity and competition. Actionable Takeaways Identify your business's unique DNA and niche audience for targeted campaigns over broad "four-quadrant" approaches. Tune in weekly for tips, tricks and hacks on promo videos, branding, and successful campaigns. Like, subscribe, and comment your hook ideas below! Contact fire5films.com [http://fire5films.com] or Creator Fury for free consults. We'd love to speak with you. 👥 Book a FREE 1:1 session with us to discuss your project needs. If you want help turning your customers’ pain points into clear, effective short-form promo videos, reach out to Creator Fury for a no-pressure chat about your next project. Just schedule 15 minutes with us here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar] CREATOR FURY ALL EPISODES: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT] 🔹 Aaron also teaches and assists you with your After Effects solutions, so grab Aaron's free After Effects presets & resources here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome] ✨ Thank you for watching! Subscribe for more live filmmaker breakdowns, Video Engagement tips, and BTS workflow experiments.

How to Turn Customer Problems into Profitable Videos (Pain Points 101)

🔹HOSTS: Aaron Sherman (https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWithFire5 [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWithFire5]) Leo Curbelo (https://www.instagram.com/leocurbelofilm/ [https://www.instagram.com/leocurbelofilm/]) In this episode of Creator Fury, Leo and Aaron break down the six core “pain points” your customers feel and show how to turn them into powerful promo video messages for your business. You will hear real-world examples from big-brand pharma and skincare spots, plus simple scenarios like coffee shops and window installers that make the ideas easy to apply. You will learn: • What “pain points” really are (beyond the marketing buzzword) and why they matter for short-form promo videos • The six key areas customers care about: saving time, easier solutions, clearer results, visible expertise, less stress, and finally getting it done right • How small, agile teams like Creator Fury can outmaneuver giant holding-company agencies weighed down by layers of approvals and layoffs Leo and Aaron also touch on the recent Omnicom–IPG shakeup in the ad world, the importance of staff and culture in client-facing businesses, and practical ways to discover what your customers actually want through surveys, frontline feedback, and competitor reviews. 👥 Book a FREE 1:1 session with us to discuss your project needs. If you want help turning your customers’ pain points into clear, effective short-form promo videos, reach out to Creator Fury for a no-pressure chat about your next project. Just schedule 15 minutes with us here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar] CREATOR FURY ALL EPISODES: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT] 🔹 Aaron also teaches and assists you with your After Effects solutions, so grab Aaron's free After Effects presets & resources here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome] ✨ Thank you for watching! Subscribe for more live filmmaker breakdowns, Video Engagement tips, and BTS workflow experiments.

What Most Small Businesses Get Wrong About Video

🔹HOSTS: Aaron Sherman (https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWithFire5 [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildWithFire5]) Leo Curbelo (https://www.instagram.com/leocurbelofilm/ [https://www.instagram.com/leocurbelofilm/]) In this episode of Creator Fury, Aaron and Leo break down a real small-business case study: Kuppi Coffee Company in Edgewater, NJ. From understanding a local café’s true needs to uncovering branding gaps, messaging challenges, and growth opportunities, they walk through the exact process filmmakers use to help businesses stand out and convert casual customers into loyal regulars. They cover: • What most small businesses get wrong about video • How to identify a client’s real needs • Why identity, story, and environment matter • Ways to turn a location into a destination • Examples from corporate client work and political ad campaigns • The step-by-step process of planning a video strategy the right way If you’re a small-business owner, a filmmaker, or someone trying to figure out how to make video actually work, this episode gives you a full behind-the-scenes look. Visit Kuppi's instagram and website and order online or go directly there and experience a step back from the digital age we live in and enjoy a beautifully crafted beverage: 👉 https://www.kuppicoffee.com [https://www.kuppicoffee.com] 👉 https://www.instagram.com/kuppicoffee/ [https://www.instagram.com/kuppicoffee/] CREATOR FURY ALL EPISODES: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT] 👥 Book a FREE 1:1 session with us to discuss your project needs. We can do it for, do it with or show YOU how to produce great videos that reach and engage your audience and grow your business! Just schedule 15 minutes with us here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar] 🔹 Aaron also teaches and assists you with your After Effects solutions, so grab Aaron's free After Effects presets & resources here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome] ✨ Thank you for watching! Subscribe for more live filmmaker breakdowns, Video Engagement tips, and BTS workflow experiments.

Making a Short Film with 2 People & Zero Budget

🔹HOSTS: Aaron Sherman (YouTube: @buildwithfire5) Leo Curbelo (Instagram: leocurbelofilm) Creator Fury discuss the making of a no budget short film by a 2 person crew., the obstacles encountered along the way from city noise to busy locations. We also show the affordable "prosumer" grade gear utilized to produce a film with professional quality. Watch TOPO FOWLS IT UP here: • Topo Fowls It Up - short film comedy 👉 https://youtu.be/PsOCd9B8_No?si=DN7F4_hXdL4fIPDT [https://youtu.be/PsOCd9B8_No?si=DN7F4_hXdL4fIPDT] Equipment Used to Shoot the Short Film: Sony ZV-E1 camera DJI Ronin RS3 gimbal FEELWORLD 7" monitor Ulanzi wide-angle lens adapter ZOOM audio recorder 👉: CREATOR FURY ALL EPISODES https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT&si=WxzK4xXnRJHA_eli [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp2wi3QC8D3uFqU16Rm4UOyKAQd3RukbT&si=WxzK4xXnRJHA_eli] 🔹 Aaron also teaches and assists you with your After Effects solutions, so grab Aaron's free After Effects presets & resources here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/welcome] 👥 Book a FREE 1:1 session with us to discuss your project needs. We can do it for, do it with or show YOU how to produce great videos that reach and engage your audience and grow your business! Just schedule 15 minutes with us here: 👉 https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar [https://bwf5.fire5films.com/calendar] ✨ Subscribe for more live filmmaker breakdowns, After Effects tips, and AI workflow experiments. Music 1 songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3pBk_etlHg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3pBk_etlHg] Dale Mariachi Inaban / Nabani Dale Mariachi https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-9-kyTW8ZkZNDHQJ6FgpwQ [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-9-kyTW8ZkZNDHQJ6FgpwQ]