Meet Cedric “Cnote” Buard

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cedric “Cnote” Buard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cedric “Cnote”, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It really started as a passion project. Back in the day, I was the friend with the camera—the one who’d stay up late helping people shoot their music videos, not for money, but because I genuinely loved the process of bringing stories to life on screen. At the time, I didn’t think of it as a business. I just knew how good it felt to help someone’s vision come to life through visuals.

What I didn’t realize then was that those late-night shoots, the rough cuts done on my bedroom floor, and the constant drive to improve—that was the foundation of something bigger. Word started to spread. Artists who saw the videos we made wanted their own. Then brands started calling. Before I knew it, I wasn’t just filming for fun—I was building a reputation.

That’s when the lightbulb went off: if I could create this kind of impact with limited tools and no budget, what could I do with a team, a plan, and a business structure behind me? That was the shift—from hobby to hustle to a full-fledged production house. Today, we’re proud to be one of the most sought-after video production teams around. But it all began with just a camera, a few friends, and a love for storytelling.

What should our readers know about your business?
We don’t just shoot beautiful visuals—we tell meaningful stories. Anyone can buy a camera, but not everyone can capture emotion, identity, or energy. That’s what we do differently. We make people feel something.

What I’m most proud of is taking something that started as a passion project—just me and a camera—and building it into a full-scale production house that people trust with their vision. We proved that creativity and consistency can become a business model.

In the early days, our biggest challenge was doing a lot with very little—limited gear, tiny budgets, no crew. But instead of seeing those limitations as setbacks, we treated them like creative constraints. We figured out how to make DIY look like high-end. We got resourceful, we moved fast, and we made it work.

Even as we grew, the challenges didn’t disappear—they just evolved. Bigger clients meant bigger expectations. Tighter deadlines. More pressure. But we leaned into it. We invested in the right people, we leveled up our systems, and most importantly, we stayed true to our creative identity. That’s what got us through—and what keeps us sharp today.

We want the world to know that we’re not just a video production company—we’re a visual movement. We take stories that deserve the spotlight and give them the stage they were built for. We want people to know that we came from the ground up—and we never forgot what that felt like. That’s why we go harder, think deeper, and shoot sharper than anyone else in our lane.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely take them to the arts district in Deep Ellum where they have fantastic food, drinks and music. We would probably go to the Ft. Worth zoo, and then take in a concert or check out the museum in downtown dallas. I would take them to see where JFK was killed in downtown dallas, and take them to the Reunion arena for dinner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to thank my family, my friends and early collaborators for giving me the creative freedom to experiment and fail many times with patience, understanding and more importantly, trust. Thank you.

The independent artists and creators in my circle also inspired me daily. Their grind, their vision—it lit a fire under me to level up my own craft. Much appreciation.

I’ve also learned from some incredible filmmakers, both in real life and online—people who probably don’t even know they mentored me. Every piece of advice, every tutorial, every moment of feedback helped shape how I see the frame. Gracias!

And of course, my team—the ones who took the vision and ran with it. You bring it to life every day, and I’m proud to build this with you.

Website: https://www.dallasvideoservices.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasvideoservices/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cedric-buard-856960157/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556742186388

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CedricCnoteBuard