Meet David Weimer | Video Creator/Story Teller
We had the good fortune of connecting with David Weimer and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi David, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my career in the IT industry in my early twenties, and became quite successful in it working my way up the corporate ladder. After almost a decade into it I realized that I hated it, not because it was hard work but because I felt at the end of the day all I accomplished was making a corporation more money.
In my 30’s I decided to change direction and became a Full Time Firefighter/Paramedic knowing that the pay structure was almost 50% lower. There is a saying that we don’t do this to become rich. 2/3 of Fireman have side jobs, or businesses. For the last 10 years I’ve worked side jobs to maintain the level of comfort my family had grown accustomed to. I’ve worked more side jobs than I can remember, from Mall Security (insert Paul Blart joke here) to Emergency Room Technician.
Through this whole time I had been dabbling in video editing and creation. I loved tapping into that creative side of myself. I have been a movie buff my whole life and am a sucker for a good montage, being a music buff as well I love how the music tells just as much of the story as the dialogue.
I had been making training and instructional videos for my Fire Department and I decided during Covid to start taking online courses on video editing and production. Through the urging of my wife I decided to take the leap and start Little Buddy Productions and start telling peoples stories.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been a Full Time Firefighter/Paramedic for around 12 years. Besides family this is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
I was working a busy 9-5 corporate job that required travel, the biggest challenge was going through the Fire Academy and EMS while doing my job and finding balance in my home life. Owning my own business lets me control the balance in my life outside of Fire Department.
We work 24 hours on, and have 48 hours off which fortunately has given me time to start Little Buddy Productions, which is a video production company that focuses on Public Safety Agencies, Small businesses, and Non-Profits.
My first job was for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, an event in Downtown Dallas that I have participated in for many years that honors the first responders that perished that day. It was rewarding and stressful all at the same time. I felt a big weight because I wanted to get everything just right. I tinkered with the editing for hours just to ensure it was perfect.
I’ve been blessed to work with some great organizations recently. I did my first documentary on the History of Wylie Fire Rescue which spanned from 1909 to present day. I worked with Sam’s Search for a Cure that assist with providing families dealing with juvenile diabetes with the needed testing and equipment.
Whether it’s a Fire Department, Chiropractor, or Non/Profit I love being able to tell someone’s story.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think the “go to” is let’s go to downtown Dallas, though it has its points of interest there are so many smaller towns in North Texas with a charm that Dallas just doesn’t possess.
I run with the Denton Runners Club and they have a social run from the Oak Street Draft house on Wednesday nights that routes through campus and the square.
Denton is such a great town with great local businesses. The food trucks at Eastside are fantastic, and there’s this hidden gem called “The Back Dough” that serves late-night doughnuts in the back alley of a steak house.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife has always been my biggest supporter and cheerleader, she supports me in every crazy adventure I want to go on like changing careers in my 30’s and starting a side business.
I met a professional videographer named Nick Stowers, he has taken me under his wing and shared his decades of knowledge with me. He was the first professional I had shown my work to and he gave me honest feedback and tangible advise on things to improve on.
Instagram: @littlebuddyprod
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/littlebuddyproductions/
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCBkxDputec38OUSar9GqMyQ
Image Credits
First Response Photography Other red Photography
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
