Dustin Buck is the creative director and founder of Vintage:Nine Studios. There are so many ways a creative can turn their passion into a business, Dustin gives us some great insight on how you can do the same!

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Hey Dustin! Describe your position at your company.

I am the Founder & Creative Director of Vintage:Nine Studios, also working as the director, editor and cinematographer on all of our film projects. I like to get my hands dirty though so I try to dabble in a bit of everything we do.

How long have you known you wanted to do what you are currently working on?

I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve known since I was a young child that I wanted to entertain people and although the medium has changed over time – the main ideas have stayed the same.   When I was young I wanted to tell stories, so I drew a lot and made short comics. From there I began writing more and more, creating characters and developing ideas. My comics became more of storyboards when I got my hands on an old video camera. The films I made as a kid started off as fun, comedic journeys but over time they grew more dramatic and real.   It’s kind of a funny transition looking back, but today I create everything from dramatic films, to short fashion films and web series. I really just want to make things people can watch.  

Why are you passionate about what you do?

I’m passionate about my work because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. If I’m not creating – I feel like I’m not living. It’s like a hole in my life and honestly I feel depressed when I’m not working. I love the idea that I can drive someone’s emotions and make him or her feel a certain way. I think that’s the beauty of entertainment – We can make people laugh, we can make them cry, we can nurture them to the end or we can leave them lost and scared. It’s an amazing amount of power to hold and that power is what drives me I think.

How did you overcome your own doubts and the doubts of other people?

This is a tough one. There will always be times when you will doubt yourself; I don’t think there’s anything you can do about that. You just have to believe in yourself and know what you’re doing. Plan out your ideas and surround yourself with a support system. You need good colleges you can trust and friends you can confide in. You can’t do everything alone.   Also, cut out the naysayers. If you believe in yourself, that’s all that matters..

What were some bumps you hit to get where you’re at now?

One of the biggest bumps I hit was trying to bring my friends into the business. At first it seemed like a good idea. I thought. “This will be great! We’re always together so we’ll be able to get so much done!” I found out however, not everyone had the same ideas, passion and drive that I did. We didn’t have time to just be friends and working as their boss was an even bigger mistake. I was pushing people to be interested in something they really weren’t and in the end I had to hire an entirely new team.   I miss them all dearly, unfortunately that decision ended a lot of good friendships.

What is a way you got your name out there?

Create a website. Pick up the phone and cold call business or organizations you can collaborate with. Go to events with a handful of business cards and talk to everyone! Email, email, email and if you can send out a portfolio – do it! Every person you don’t talk to is an opportunity lost!   Create an “elevator pitch” and memorize it so you can quickly and effectively describe yourself and what you do.  

Is there anything that almost stopped you from doing this?

Never, it wouldn’t matter where I was or what I was doing – this has always been my goal and I’d always work for it.   There’s still a long way to go, but I wouldn’t change a thing.  

Is there anyone in your profession that you admire and/or model yourself after?

There’s a ton of people who inspire, some in my field and others that aren’t.   Filmmakers who inspire me are Stanley Kubrick, Tony Scott and Nicolas Refn.   Other creative people who inspire me are Tom Ford, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Richard Branson, Karl Lagerfeld, Steve Jobs and Anna Wintour.   Look to everyone! Artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers…I’m sure you’ll find something inspiring about each one of them. Don’t close yourself off to inspiration.  

How do you continue to perfect your craft?

Keeping with it. You have to keep creating new things and definitely take risks. Do something new and look to your inspirations for new ideas. Make goals for yourself and stick with them.   I set up different challenges for myself and use those as stepping-stones for new concepts and ideas.   Some weeks I’ll make sure to read something new, other times I’ll set up a video challenge – creating a video a day or a short film a week. Your talent is like a muscle and you have to work it out for it to get stronger.

How do you envision the future of your product/services?

Big.   We made Vintage:Nine Studios to encompass many forms of entertainment. We’ve got a lot of things in the works for 2014 outside of our films and photography.   Get ready to hear about us in a big way.

What’s some advice you can share for anyone who wants to pursuit what you are doing?

Stick with it! Don’t listen to the people who doubt you but keep your ears open to creative criticism. You’ll have to work hard, no matter what it is you want to do. I think the best advice I can give is that, be it film, art, music, fashion – anything – if you’re not a little scared, you’re doing something wrong. Be confident in yourself but also be weary of your path. Fear is a good thing to have; so don’t try to get rid of it. Instead, use it as a way to stay on your toes and stay alert.

You have a nice online website. How much of your business is driven by online buyers/clients?

Our website is a great way for us to get our work out there and to showcase our projects.   Most of our collaborations and jobs come from that little contact box.

Where can people go to find out more about your awesome products/services?

We’re all over the place! www.vintageninestudios.com Facebook – Vimeo – vimeo.com/vintagenine Youtube – Twitter – @ Instagram – ios

What is one thing you did wrong in the past that you can share with people?

I think my biggest business bump was also my biggest business mistake. Unless your friends are truly passionate about the same ideas as you – pushing them into a field of interest and trying to create roles and jobs for them will only end badly. They’ll be unhappy and you’ll feel like you’ve been taken advantage of.   Find that fine line and keep your personal and business life separated if possible.  

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