Meet Jason Lyzniak | Owner, Samurai Snacks Productions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Lyzniak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The biggest reason behind my success? Keyboard shortcuts, no joke. If you’re going to be an editor, mastering them is a must for efficiency. But beyond the basics, the real measure of Samurai Snacks Production’s success is that I haven’t had to do any advertising or marketing in the three years I’ve been in business. Even without marketing my services, I’ve kept a steady stream of happy clients. My “secret” isn’t really a secret at all—it’s all about networking, producing great work efficiently, having patience, staying proactive, and finding joy in what I do.

Every project I’ve ever worked on came either through word of mouth or because I reached out first. Networking is everything. Don’t hesitate to message someone that is established in the industry and see if they need help. My eight years working in post-production at HBO Latin America were a result of me first reaching out to someone who noticed the quality and speed of my work and recommended me for freelance work at HBO. Those same qualities—quality and efficiency—helped me move from freelance to full-time before I started Samurai Snacks. Some of the work I’ve done for brands and celebrities is partially thanks to sending a message on LinkedIn and offering my services. You’ve got to put yourself out there. And once you start, if you deliver quality work that gets results, new clients will find their way to you.

But, be patient. There will be slow times, and times when work comes in like an avalanche. Either way, stay patient. There will be moments when your editing software crashes, or your equipment breaks, or you’re drowning in deadlines. Simon Sinek once said, “It’s better to go slow in the right direction than to go fast in the wrong direction.” Patience helps you to stay focused when faced with challenges. Don’t be afraid to take breaks if you’re feeling burnt out, and avoid getting overwhelmed by staying proactive and planning ahead.

I think being proactive is one of the most underrated keys to success in any field. Make a plan, break it down into actionable steps, and anticipate your client’s needs. For example, music in video production can be tricky because everyone has an opinion on it. I joke that sometimes it’s best to submit the first draft with your second favorite track, so when they inevitably ask for a change, you can go with your original pick. But seriously, being proactive saves you a lot of headaches and helps you stay ahead of the game. The key is to be prepared, stay flexible, and have fun with it.

Finding joy in what you create is also crucial. Sometimes that joy gets lost when work becomes just about making money. It’s easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. For me, the best reset is watching a great film. Movies are what inspired me to pursue a career in film and video in the first place, so watching a good one always reignites my passion and reminds me that success takes time. A great movie pushes me to think outside the box when I’m on shoots and when I’m editing and brings the fun back into the process. But for me, the real joy comes from seeing a finished video and getting recognized for the quality and efficiency of my work. Some people enjoy the journey, but for me, the real magic happens when I see it all come together in the finished piece.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Samurai Snacks Productions is a micro video production company. I call it “micro” because it’s mainly just me and a few contractors I hire, but the quality of what we produce is anything but micro. We offer a wide range of video services—brand marketing, commercials, social media content, event recaps, corporate videos, you name it. What makes Samurai Snacks different from other production companies is not only the variety of projects we take on, but also the network of industry pros I can rely on for support. I’m especially proud of the brands, celebrities, and causes I’ve created videos for, and I think that experience gives me an edge over my competition. It hasn’t been easy getting to where I am now. Even today, I put in plenty of long hours and sleepless nights to hit deadlines. But the biggest lesson I can share is: it’s not just about who you know, but who knows you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, my best friend is my Italian Greyhound, Luka Linguini (@linguinipinocchio), and every week is the best week of his life, but giving him the best day ever would start with croquetas, pastelitos de guayaba and a cortadito from any of the hundreds of great Cuban bakeries that Miami has to offer. Mostly for me, but Luka would get in on the croquetas. After that we’d hit Haulover dog park and beach, and he’d have the best time ever playing with his friends there. From there we’d go grab some USBS burgers and fries from The Citadel (+1 for dog friendliness). After the park, beach and burgers we’d definitely need a pick me up, so we’d swing by a Starbucks and Luka would enjoy a well-deserved puppuccino (he’s a good boy). After that we’d take a walk through the Miami Beach Botanical garden. Dinner would be at Flanigan’s and we’d wrap up the day with a movie at Nite Owl Drive-in (Luka also loves watching movies, especially ones with animals in them).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It sounds a bit cliché, but I really owe a lot of my success to my parents. They always pushed me to explore my creative side and chase my dreams. They even got me my first camera—well, technically, it was the Lego Steven Spielberg Moviemaker Set before that. I’d also be leaving out a huge part of my journey if I didn’t mention my fiancée, Ashley. She’s my best creative partner and the reason I keep pushing forward. Anytime I start doubting myself, she’s right there reminding me what I’m capable of. And then there’s Jim Carrey, whose character acting really got me outside of my head at an early age. He was a big inspiration that got me into acting, which then turned into making short films, and eventually led to my career behind the camera.

Website: https://www.samuraisnacks.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyzniak/