One of the most common pieces of business advice floating around—especially in the video production industry—is that you need to get off the tools to grow your business.

The logic behind it makes sense. If you’re spending all your time shooting and editing, then you’re not focusing on marketing, sales, or business strategy. And without working on your business, rather than just in it, you’ll struggle to grow.

But does that mean you have to completely step away from the creative work to run a successful business?

Not necessarily.

The truth is, while some business owners thrive by transitioning fully into a managerial role, others find that staying involved in production keeps them engaged, fulfilled, and even helps grow their business in unexpected ways.

So in this post, we’ll break down:

• Why the get off the tools advice exists

• The pros and cons of stepping back from production

• How to find the right balance for you

Let’s dive in.

Where Did the "Get Off the Tools" Advice Come From?

The phrase get off the tools originally comes from the trades and construction industry. It refers to moving from hands-on labor (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work) into project management, business ownership, or leadership roles.

In video production, it means transitioning away from day-to-day production tasks—shooting, editing, lighting—and focusing instead on growing and managing the business.

On the surface, this advice makes a lot of sense:

• If you’re constantly working on client projects, you have no time to grow the business.

• Scaling becomes difficult when everything relies on you.

• Hiring specialists allows you to deliver higher-quality work faster.

But while these are all valid points, the reality is more nuanced.

The Risks of Getting Off the Tools Too Soon

While stepping back from production can be beneficial, doing it too soon—or without a plan—can backfire.

Here’s why:

1. Losing Touch with the Craft

Filmmaking is an art form. And staying involved in production helps you stay sharp and relevant.

If you fully step away from the creative process, you might find it harder to:

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends

• Maintain technical expertise

• Understand the challenges your team faces

Many successful production company owners still shoot or edit occasionally, not because they have to, but because they want to. It keeps them connected to the work they love.

2. Missing Out on Opportunities

Some of the best opportunities in business come from being on set or in the field.

For example, I once had the opportunity to film with the Deputy Prime Minister in Canberra. Being involved in the shoot gave me insight into the political world and connected me with people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

If you remove yourself entirely from production, you may miss out on moments that could lead to bigger projects, valuable relationships, or unexpected growth opportunities.

3. Feeling Disconnected from Your Team

If you own a production company, you’re leading a team of creatives. And creatives respect leaders who understand their craft.

When you remain somewhat involved in production, it helps you:

• Build stronger relationships with your team

• Give more informed feedback

• Foster a collaborative, creative culture

If you step away completely, you may find it harder to inspire and connect with your crew.

The Right Time to Get Off the Tools

With all that said, there is a point where stepping back from production becomes essential.

If you’re too involved in client work, you’ll hit a ceiling. You won’t have time to:

• Market your business

• Build relationships with high-value clients

• Develop efficient systems

• Strategically grow and scale

The key is knowing when to step back and how much to delegate.

Here are some signs that it might be time to start delegating more production work:
✅ You’re working long hours but not making much progress on business development.
✅ Client projects keep you too busy to work on marketing or sales.
✅ You’re turning down opportunities because you don’t have enough capacity.
✅ Your growth has plateaued because you’re stuck in day-to-day tasks.

If these sound familiar, it’s time to start shifting more of your workload to a team.

Finding the Right Balance: How to Step Back Without Losing Touch

If you love the craft but also want to scale your business, you don’t have to fully “get off the tools”. Instead, you can find a hybrid approach that works for you.

Here’s how:

1. Keep the Parts You Love, Delegate the Rest

Not all aspects of production bring equal fulfillment. Identify which parts you truly enjoy and which ones drain your energy.

For example:

• If you love shooting, continue being the DP on select projects while delegating editing.

• If you enjoy client interaction, focus on directing interviews while outsourcing production work.

• If you hate editing, hire an in-house editor so you never have to touch a timeline again.

By keeping what excites you and outsourcing the rest, you can still be hands-on without sacrificing business growth.

2. Structure Your Involvement with High-Value Work

Some production company owners charge a premium rate for when they personally shoot or direct a project.

For example:

• Clients can request you as the DP, but at a higher rate.

• You personally handle high-profile interviews while your team manages smaller projects.

This allows you to still do creative work while making it worth your time.

3. Stay Involved in Training & Quality Control

Even if you step back from day-to-day production, you can still be involved by:

• Training your team to match your creative vision.

• Reviewing key projects before final delivery.

• Keeping up with new techniques and industry trends.

This keeps you engaged without requiring you to be on set every day.

4. Schedule “Creative Days”

One way to avoid completely losing touch is to schedule specific days for creative work.

For example, you could dedicate one day a month to filming passion projects or experimenting with new techniques.

This keeps your creative spark alive without interfering with business growth.

Final Thoughts: You Make the Rules

At the end of the day, it’s your business—you get to decide how you run it.

If you love production, you don’t have to abandon it just because a business book or consultant says so.

But if you’re feeling stuck, overworked, or like your growth is stalling, then stepping back strategically can help you scale.

It’s all about finding the right balance between creative fulfillment and business success.

So ask yourself:

• What parts of production do I love and want to keep doing?

• What tasks drain me that I could delegate?

• How can I structure my role to grow my business while still enjoying my craft?

The answer will look different for everyone. But by making intentional choices, you can create a business that supports both your passion and your financial success.

Want More Strategies for Growing Your Video Production Business?

Join me every week on The Business of Video Production Podcast, where I share insights from over 20 years in the industry.

And if you’re looking for coaching and guidance on how to scale while staying creatively fulfilled, check out RyanSpanger.com.