Unlocking the Business of Video: How Great Things Studios Became a Montreal Production Leader

N'tchidjè Doumbia -

Podcast Feature: Creatives Grab Coffee (Ep. #107)

It is a meeting of minds between two of Canada's major creative hubs.

In Episode #107 of the Creatives Grab Coffee podcast, Dario Nouri—founder of the corporate video powerhouse Lapse Productions in Toronto —sits down with N'tchidjè Doumbia of Montreal, cofounder and video producer at Great Things Studios.  

Dario has established himself as a key player in the Toronto market, specializing in high-impact corporate storytelling and video marketing strategy. His podcast serves as a platform where the industry's best minds dissect the reality of running a creative agency.

In this episode, titled "The Art of Client Relationships," Dario turns the spotlight on the Quebec market, inviting N'tchidjè Doumbia to pull back the curtain on how Great Things Studios (GTS) has risen to become a premier video production company in Montreal.  

The conversation is a masterclass in production business, revealing how GTS pivoted through global crises, dominated the niche of medical broadcasting, and transformed from a creative hub into a strategic partner for major corporations.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode that showcase why Great Things Studios is setting the standard for video production in Quebec.

From Sound Waves to Cinema Quality

N'tchidjè’s journey is not that of a traditional filmmaker. As discussed in the episode, his roots are deep in the Montreal music scene as a sound engineer and rapper. This audio-first background gives Great Things Studios a unique competitive edge.

In an industry where visual fidelity often overshadows sound, GTS prioritizes the complete sensory experience. N'tchidjè explained that his transition into video was born out of necessity—artists needed visuals to match their tracks—but it quickly evolved into an obsession with cinema cameras and storytelling. Today, that legacy ensures that every corporate interview, commercial, or live broadcast produced by GTS features industry-leading audio clarity, a subtle but crucial differentiator in professional production.

The Great Pivot: Dominating the Medical Niche

One of the most compelling segments of the podcast detailed the studio’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the world shut down, traditional video shoots became impossible. While many agencies scrambled, Great Things Studios executed a strategic pivot that would define their future success: Live Streaming and Medical video Production.

N'tchidjè recounted how the studio moved quickly to master multi-camera live switching and IP-based broadcasting workflows. This wasn't just about Zoom calls; it was about broadcast-quality television production over the internet.

This technical agility allowed GTS to capture a highly specialized market: Medical Education. The studio began producing high-stakes live feeds for surgeries and medical conferences. This sector demands absolute precision—there are no "second takes" in live surgery. By proving their reliability in such a high-pressure environment, Great Things Studios solidified its reputation as one of the most technically capable production houses in Montreal.

Selling Solutions, Not Just Cameras

Perhaps the most valuable insight for potential clients is N'tchidjè’s philosophy on the role of a video agency. He argues that being a "leading" company isn't about owning the most expensive RED or Sony cinema cameras (though GTS certainly uses them); it is about solving business problems... with videos.

"We stopped being just order-takers," N'tchidjè noted.

Instead of simply saying "yes" to a client’s request for a generic video, the team at GTS adopts a diagnostic approach. They ask the hard questions:

  • What is the Return on Investment (ROI) you are looking for?
  • Is this video for brand awareness, or do you need to convert sales immediately?
  • Who is the specific audience?

By aligning video content with a client’s KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), Great Things Studios functions less like a freelance hire and more like an external marketing arm. This shift—from artist to strategic consultant—is what attracts high-level corporate and industrial clients who need their marketing budget to generate tangible results.

The Art of Client Relationships

The title of the episode, "The Art of Client Relationships," reflects the core ethos of Great Things Studios. N'tchidjè emphasized that the longevity of his business is built on trust, not transactions.

In the podcast, he shared his approach to "consultative selling." It’s about being honest with clients, sometimes even advising them against spending money on a video if it won't achieve their goals. This radical transparency builds deep loyalty. Clients return to GTS year after year not just because the video quality is pristine, but because they know the team is looking out for their bottom line.

Conclusion: A Montreal Success Story

The conversation on Creatives Grab Coffee paints a clear picture: Great Things Studios is more than a creative shop; it is a sophisticated media enterprise.

Whether it’s navigating complex live broadcasts for the healthcare sector, producing cinematic brand films, or helping businesses integrate video into their sales funnel, N'tchidjè Doumbia and his team have proven they have the technical chops and the business acumen to lead the industry.

For Montreal businesses looking for a video partner that understands both the art of storytelling and the science of sales, Great Things Studios remains the agency to watch.

Watch the full episode here: The Art of Client Relationships (ft. Great Things Studios)