Cool Careers - President and CEO, Video Production Company

Interview with Megan McElwain: President and CEO of McElwain & Company Inc., Toronto, ON

"You need to know how to tell a story. In this business, no matter what the subject, you are telling a story to your audience."

1. How would you describe what you do?

McElwain & Company is a full service video production company and a digital content provider based in Toronto, Ontario. We provide top quality multimedia solutions to corporations using state of the art equipment to produce state of the art work, all shot in high definition. Our production portfolio includes commercials, web videos, corporate videos, training videos, promotional videos, trade show videos, product videos and more.

2. How did you get started?

As a graduate of the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson University, over the past 15 years I’ve produced a wide array of video content including long format documentaries, television series, as well as corporate video production. My work has taken me from New York to Los Angeles, Paris and Ottawa, and has been seen on CTV, Canwest Global, A&E Television Networks, Sundance Channel, BBC Canada, BBC UK, Channel 4 and of course the web.

3. What do you like and dislike about what you do?

I wake up every morning loving what I do. I love the interaction with people, the variety of projects, the gratification of completing a production, the creative energy, and the business and finance operations of the company.

4. How do you make money/or how are you compensated?

Clients pay for services based on the production budget. There is no flat rate for video production. As each individual client’s needs and wants vary, so do the costs. Customers are required to place a 50% deposit prior to production and pay the balance upon completion of the project.

5. What education or skills are needed to do this?

As stated above, I am a graduate of the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson University. An educational background in the communications field is definitely an asset; however, I would not say it is an absolute requirement. You do need to be creative, organized, and recognize ‘good’ television. You need to know how to tell a story. In this business, no matter what the subject, you are telling a story to your audience. It’s important to be able to perceive the content produced as if you were the viewer.

6. What is most challenging about what you do?

It is definitely challenging to come up with innovative ideas while maintaining the integrity of what a customer wants to portray. You have to deliver content that the client wants while keeping to their budget. When faced with creative difference of opinion, this can be difficult to achieve.

7. What is most rewarding?

Exceeding the client’s expectations is very rewarding; delivering a video they never thought possible.

8. What advice would you offer someone considering this career?

Think outside of the box. Everyday, more and more businesses are slowly converting their websites into virtual television stations. Throw away the stigma behind corporate video production and produce only that which would meet your own expectations.

9. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?

A common misconception is that we are a standard corporate video production company. It’s often thought that we produce simple and uninteresting messages on behalf of our clients, in line with what many mainstream corporate video production companies do. I came from a decade in the world of film and television. My team all comes from the same environment. We’ve accomplished what other corporate video production companies haven’t been able to achieve. We’ve merged both worlds and have integrated our expertise from film and TV into corporate video using the likes of 3D motion graphics etc.

10. What are your goals/dreams for the future?

That McElwain & Company Inc. continues to grow and expand beyond Canada’s borders. We currently have clients in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta. We are aiming to be a recognized leader in corporate video production, not only in Canada but in the United States as well.

11. What else would you like people to know about what you do?

I believe that our work speaks for itself so please visit our site at www.mcelwainandcompany.com The main page hosts a link to our most recent projects. You can also visit us at www.vimeo.com/mcelwainandcompany and www.youtube.com/mcelwainandcompany

Thank you for sharing your career with Challenge Factory, Megan! You certainly do have a "Cool Career." 

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