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#111 Filming Under Fire (ft. Highlight Films)
In this episode, we sit down with Noam Shalev, founder of Highlight Films, to discuss a side of the production industry few get to see. Based in Israel, Noam’s team handles everything from high-end corporate shoots to gritty news coverage in active conflict zones. We dive into what it really means to be a "fixer" , how remote production technology has allowed directors in LA to direct crews in Tel Aviv , and the massive logistical pivot Noam’s company made on October 7th—shifting from seven corporate productions to managing 15 news crews overnight. Noam also opens up about the emotional toll of documenting history , the safety protocols required when filming under fire , and why, despite the chaos, he refuses to leave.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - From Doc Filmmaker to "The Fixer"
02:08 - Defining the Role: What does a Fixer actually do?
02:45 - How COVID changed remote production forever
07:17 - Why Noam started doing corporate work
11:09 - October 7th: Pivoting from corporate shoots to war coverage overnight
15:56 - Safety Logistics: Walkie-talkie apps and missile alerts
17:22 - Storytime: Hiding tapes in underwear in Iraq
20:55 - The emotional toll of interviewing survivors
34:55 - The impact of political instability on the tech sector
37:40 - Managing a business when staff are called to reserve duty
43:12 - Why stay? The pull of "Home" vs. moving to LA
47:51 - "Real Chaos": Why cameras are treated like weapons
50:47 - Building a reputation without advertising
56:01 - Protecting the business: Deposits and spotting bad clients
1:05:40 - Closing thoughts
🎙️ About Our Guest
Noam Shalev
Founder & Creative Director — Highlight Films
🎧 Hosts:
Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto
https://www.lapseproductions.com
🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee:
Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution.
👇 Follow & Subscribe:
Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com
Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee
LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions
SPONSORS:
Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com
Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca
#CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices
View all episodes
By Creatives Grab Coffee
5
66 ratings
In this episode, we sit down with Noam Shalev, founder of Highlight Films, to discuss a side of the production industry few get to see. Based in Israel, Noam’s team handles everything from high-end corporate shoots to gritty news coverage in active conflict zones. We dive into what it really means to be a "fixer" , how remote production technology has allowed directors in LA to direct crews in Tel Aviv , and the massive logistical pivot Noam’s company made on October 7th—shifting from seven corporate productions to managing 15 news crews overnight. Noam also opens up about the emotional toll of documenting history , the safety protocols required when filming under fire , and why, despite the chaos, he refuses to leave.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - From Doc Filmmaker to "The Fixer"
02:08 - Defining the Role: What does a Fixer actually do?
02:45 - How COVID changed remote production forever
07:17 - Why Noam started doing corporate work
11:09 - October 7th: Pivoting from corporate shoots to war coverage overnight
15:56 - Safety Logistics: Walkie-talkie apps and missile alerts
17:22 - Storytime: Hiding tapes in underwear in Iraq
20:55 - The emotional toll of interviewing survivors
34:55 - The impact of political instability on the tech sector
37:40 - Managing a business when staff are called to reserve duty
43:12 - Why stay? The pull of "Home" vs. moving to LA
47:51 - "Real Chaos": Why cameras are treated like weapons
50:47 - Building a reputation without advertising
56:01 - Protecting the business: Deposits and spotting bad clients
1:05:40 - Closing thoughts
🎙️ About Our Guest
Noam Shalev
Founder & Creative Director — Highlight Films
🎧 Hosts:
Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto
https://www.lapseproductions.com
🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee:
Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, featuring candid conversations with studio owners and filmmakers around the world on scaling, creativity, and industry evolution.
👇 Follow & Subscribe:
Website – https://creativesgrabcoffee.com
Instagram – https://instagram.com/creativesgrabcoffee
LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/lapseproductions
SPONSORS:
Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com
Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca
#CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices