Can You Change the Music?

Why Niching Down Changed Everything for This Documentary Editor | Ryan Mjøen / 4137 Productions

What happens when you stop trying to build your creative business the way everyone else says you should? In this episode, we sit down with documentary editor and filmmaker Ryan Mjøen to talk about faith, ADHD, imposter syndrome, pricing, relationships, and the surprising journey that led him to niche down into post-production. Ryan shares how he transitioned away from being a full-service video production company, why traditional sales strategies never worked for him, and how building meaningful relationships became the foundation of his business. We also dive into the realities of ADHD as a creative entrepreneur, the struggle of defining success on your own terms, and why editing might be the most misunderstood role in filmmaking. Whether you're a videographer, photographer, freelancer, editor, or creative business owner, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections on building a life and business that actually fits who you are. Based on your conversation with Ryan about his journey from documentary filmmaker to niche post-production specialist, ADHD, relationships-first networking, pricing, and finding success beyond traditional business metrics. In This Episode: -Ryan's journey from filmmaker to documentary editor -Why niching down transformed his business -ADHD as a creative superpower (and challenge) -Building relationships instead of cold calling -Finding clients through community -The dangers of underpricing your work-Defining success beyond revenue -Why most creatives struggle with editing -Working with your brain instead of against it -Faith, calling, and trusting the process-DaVinci Resolve, workflows, and editing philosophy Connect with Ryan: Website: https://www.4137productions.com Email: ryanmjoen@4137productions.com

Videographer Horror Stories - Part 1

Nobody talks about the mistakes. As creatives, business owners, and freelancers, it's easy to look at successful people and assume they always know what they're doing. The truth? Every professional has stories they'd rather forget. In this episode, Jeremiah and Joe share some of the biggest mistakes they've made throughout their careers—from breaking expensive property on a music video shoot to losing critical footage on a commercial production. They unpack what went wrong, how they handled the fallout, and the lessons that still influence how they work today. If you've ever had a project go sideways, lost sleep over a mistake, or wondered if one bad day could ruin your career, this conversation is for you. In This Episode: -Jeremiah's most painful production mistake -The dangers of using unfamiliar gear on client projects -Why insurance matters more than most creatives realize -Joe's commercial shoot disaster story -Losing footage and dealing with technical failures-Managing client expectations during a crisis -The value of backups, redundancy, and preparation -Why relationships often matter more than perfection -How mistakes can make you a better creative professional Send us your videography horror stories to read on air: canyouchangethemusic@gmail.com

Building a Creative Business Before Turning 20 - with Molly's Vision

At just 19 years old, Molly is building a videography business, landing clients, navigating rejection, and figuring out who she is along the way. In this episode, we sit down with a young filmmaker who skipped the traditional path and jumped headfirst into entrepreneurship. We talk about the realities of running a creative business at a young age, learning to advocate for yourself, handling difficult clients, finding community in a lonely industry, and why success means more than just making money. Whether you're just getting started as a creator or you've been running your business for years, Molly's honesty, humility, and perspective offer a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is focus on the work you love and trust the process. In This Episode: -Building a video business at 19 years old -Being a woman in a male-dominated creative industry -Why client acquisition doesn't have to be complicated -Handling rejection and cold outreach -Learning to stand up for yourself in business -Pricing mistakes and lessons learned -The loneliness of creative work -Finding your style vs. solving client problems -Why community matters more than competition -Doing creative work for the love of the game Connect with Molly: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollys.vision/ Website: https://www.mollysvision.com/ Email: mollyssvision@gmail.com LinkTree: linktr.ee/mollyysvision Send us your crazy videography stories at canyouchangethemusic@gmail.com Copyright Sleepy Dog Creative 2026 All Rights Reserved

VIDEO BREAKDOWN: Green Screens, Dream Scenes and a Mausoleum

Watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/1010234023?fl=tl&fe=ec In this episode, Jeremiah Shumaker and Joe Reeves break down a video project Jeremiah created that pushed his creative limits. From shooting practical effects with curtains and green screens to building a dreamlike cemetery scene, the conversation dives deep into the filmmaking decisions behind the project. But the discussion quickly expands beyond just one video. Jeremiah and Joe explore the tension between creativity and perfectionism, the value of mastering the gear you already own, and why great storytelling rarely comes down to having the most expensive camera. Along the way, they share stories from their early days in video production, discuss the reality of “gear acquisition syndrome,” and unpack the hard truth that growth as a creative often comes from learning to execute ideas with the tools you already have. If you’re a filmmaker, videographer, or creative entrepreneur wrestling with whether your equipment—or your skills—are holding you back, this conversation offers an honest look at the process behind improving your craft. In this episode: -Breaking down a passion video project step-by-step -The creative process behind practical effects and visual storytelling -Why perfectionism can slow creative growth -The myth that better gear automatically makes better videos -Learning your tools deeply vs. constantly upgrading equipment -Early lessons from the beginning stages of a creative career

The Secret Sauce to Your Creative Business

In this episode of Can You Change the Music?, Jeremiah Shumaker and Joe Reeves unpack one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — drivers of long-term business success: relationships. From drawing hard lines around personal values to rejecting a scarcity mindset, they explore what it really means to treat clients as partners rather than transactions. Jeremiah shares why owning your value can transform your confidence as a creative, while Joe opens up about the intimidating early days of networking and how stepping into uncomfortable rooms ultimately changed the trajectory of his business. Together, they challenge the idea that you have to gatekeep knowledge or compete with everyone in your industry to win. Instead, they argue that generosity, trust, and strategic partnerships can create opportunities far beyond immediate revenue. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a sustainable creative business without losing your integrity — this conversation is for you. In this episode: -Why setting non-negotiable personal values strengthens your business -Partnership vs. service: reframing how you see client relationships -How scarcity mindset quietly sabotages growth -The surprising ROI of networking (even when it doesn’t pay immediately) -Why teaching people instead of selling them can lead to bigger opportunities -Practical ways to become more relational in your business -How generosity creates momentum you can’t manufacture