Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Knott.
Hi Cody, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I remember being really little, probably 4 or 5 years old, watching my dad film on his big VHS camcorder (yes, I’m dating myself a bit). I was fascinated. When he wasn’t looking, I’d grab the camera, throw it up on my shoulder, and pretend I was capturing the world just like he did.
Fast forward to when I was 13, growing up in Rockford, MI. My buddy Rob was big into skateboarding and wanted to create skate videos inspired by the shows we watched on MTV. I couldn’t skateboard to save my life, so I became the filmer. I’d follow him and our friends around town with his mini DV camera, capturing tricks and wipeouts, and just silly teenage boy things along the way. Then we’d spend hours playing video games while the footage ‘logged and captured’ into Final Cut. My friends didn’t ever care to film, but I loved it!
That’s when the fire really started. I took a Broadcast and Media class at Rockford High School, then went on to earn my degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University. After graduation, I worked for a small production company filming Christian TV Reality shows, filmed weddings and later became a multimedia director at a church.
In 2017, I took the leap and started Bear Productions, named after my childhood nickname, ‘Bear.’ I had no clue what I was doing (and in some ways, I still don’t!), but I’ve always loved telling stories through film. I continued with weddings for a few more years until COVID hit. I was already burnt out from weddings but COVID opened up a new door for video production. Companies needed video content more than ever and I jumped on it. While many companies sadly closed their doors during COVID, my company absolutely blew up!! Over time, Bear Productions has grown immensely in the corporate and small business market. We love helping businesses tell their stories and stay competitive in their industries.
Today, I’m still running Bear Productions, and the business has become a huge blessing for our family. It allows my wife to stay home with our two young kids, and it gives us the freedom to live the kind of life we hoped for. I’m incredibly grateful for where this journey has taken us and excited for what’s still to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh my goodness, it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride. But I loved filming so much that I was willing to push through any challenge that came my way.
In my first year of business back in 2017, I spent nearly $30,000 on gear. Everything I thought I needed to do the job well. That same year, I only made about $22,000. A lot of people, including my parents, encouraged me to find something else or at least pick up another job and do Bear Productions on the side. But I didn’t listen. I trusted my passion and my ability to keep grinding and growing.
There have been tough moments, too, like the time I lost footage from a client shoot. They were gracious and let me re-film, but it meant four full days of work lost. Funny enough, they’re still one of my clients to this day. Moments like that taught me that owning your mistakes and showing up with humility can actually build more trust and respect. At least that’s what I tell myself, haha.
There were definitely more financial struggles along the way too. This industry can be unpredictable. Early on, there were long stretches with no work, and no income. I remember one low point where I had $200 in my checking account, -$400 in my business account, and nothing in savings. I had to move back in with my parents just to get by. That was humbling. But I kept showing up at networking events, and taking on projects for dirt cheap just to keep moving forward.
I’ve accidentally broken expensive equipment, lost footage to a computer crash, had gear stolen, missed deadlines, forgot to show up for a shoot once, and yep, forgot to hit record a few times too. The list goes on.
But with every setback, I learned. And I kept learning. And I kept growing. Now, eight years into Bear Productions, I have a pretty smooth system. It’s far from perfect, but it works. My clients are happy and I’m still learning and always growing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bear Productions is a video production company I started back in 2017, and at its core, it’s all about storytelling. I love helping people and businesses share who they are in a way that feels real, creative, and powerful. Whether it’s a brand story, a promo video, a testimonial, or a full campaign series, I work closely with each client to make something that truly reflects them.
We’re based in West Michigan, and over the years I’ve had the chance to work with churches, nonprofits, construction companies, small businesses, large fortune 500 businesses, you name it. What I love most is digging into why people do what they do and helping them put that into a story others can feel. Most of the time it’s not really about what the business does, it’s what the heart behind the person that works for the business does.
What makes Bear Productions different? I think it’s the personal touch. I’m not just showing up with a camera to check a box. I care deeply about who I am working with and care about knocking each project out of the park. I want every video to be something my clients are proud to share. I try to make the process fun, easy, and meaningful, and I think people pick up on that. A lot of my clients have become friends, and many of them keep coming back because they trust me. It’s a beautiful thing!
Our brand is so unique! I wanted to call my company Bear Productions not only because it was my nickname growing up (and still to this day), but because I love what the BEAR means to me. It means:
Strength – Like a bear in the wild,we’re strong, steady, and dependable.
Instinctive Creativity – Driven by instinct, refined by experience, and grounded in bold, cinematic storytelling that makes people feel something.
Protective – We guard the heart of our clients message and bring their vision and mission to life!
Resilient- We know the grind. We’ve weathered the seasons. We keep pressing on.
At the end of the day, Bear Productions isn’t just about video. It’s about people. It’s about creating something that matters, something that helps others connect, grow, and tell their story well.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Let’s start with a phone call or an in person conversation. Whether you’re a business looking to tell your story, or needing a brand refresh, a nonprofit needing a powerful promo, or a church wanting to capture your mission, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
You can reach out directly through my website at bearproductionsllc.com/contact. From there, we’ll talk about your goals, your audience, and how video can help move your mission forward.
I’m also always open to collaboration. Whether it’s teaming up with other creatives in the West Michigan area, jumping in on community projects, or just grabbing coffee and talking shop. I believe great things happen when good people link arms.
And if you simply want to support what I do, the best way is to share my work, recommend me to others, or reach out and say hey. I’m grateful for every referral, every client, and every chance to do what I love with people who care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bearproductionsllc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bearproductionsllc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpyK7OSDMohB0wDHQ-sk_PA
