Meet Your Makers: Digging Deep with David Kalinauskas
David Kalinauskas is the founder and executive producer of Airfoil Media, a dynamic company at the forefront of innovative storytelling. As an accomplished commercial director, business owner, and filmmaker, David has a proven track record of creating compelling visual content.
His film 'Fresh Water' was nominated for Best Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards, showcasing his talent and dedication to impactful filmmaking. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, David continues to shape the industry through his visionary leadership and creative expertise.
LBB> What first attracted you to production - and has it been an industry you’ve always worked in, or did you come to it from another area?
David> In high school, I got hooked on making things with a cheap miniDV camera that I somehow managed to afford — probably with birthday money. My friends and I were really into freestyle skiing, and we’d make our own ski films.
My brother Matthew, who's three years older, got into a competitive animation program at Humber College. Seeing his journey made the idea of a creative career in production feel more tangible to me. From that point on, I was pretty set on pursuing production.
LBB> What was your first role in the production world, and how did this experience influence how you think about production and how you grew your career?
David> My first role was as a freelance crew member. I started as a PA on an indie film, then moved up to 3rd AD, and eventually 2nd AD. At the same time, I was making corporate videos, which helped pay the bills. This combination really laid the foundation for my career.
After working on a particularly awful low-budget TV series as a 2nd AD, I realised I didn’t want to continue down the road of being on set every day as a crew member. I wanted more control over my own life, which pushed me to shift focus from the AD stream to corporate work.
LBB> How did you learn to be a producer?
David> I learned to produce out of necessity. As more corporate gigs came in, their budgets didn’t allow for hiring many (or any) team members, so I had to produce and direct them myself.
LBB> Looking back to the beginning of your career, can you tell us about a production where you really had to dig deep and that helped you grow as a producer?
David> Honestly, I can't think of a significant job where I didn’t have to dig deep. What’s changed over time is my benchmark for what I bring to the work. 'Digging deep' now feels like part of our process and an understood expectation at Airfoil. This mindset has levelled us all up, but we also know we need to have each other’s backs and find balance.
Digging deep in pursuit of creative goals can be energising when you see the results, but without balance, it can burn you out.
LBB> A good producer should be able to produce for any medium, from film to events to digital experiences. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why/why not?
David> The more time I spend in this industry, the more I appreciate the value of a specialist — someone with tangible, hands-on experience in one area who can apply knowledge from past work to future projects. Producers are constantly exposed to situations that could go wrong at any moment. Navigating this work with confidence and a deep knowledge base is priceless.
That said, I could probably produce an event, but it wouldn’t be pretty.
LBB> What’s your favourite thing about production and why?
David> I’ll give you two things:
Creative output. It’s somewhat addictive to work in big, collaborative creative teams, all striving for world-class output.
Variety! We get to apply our specific knowledge to a whole range of fun and exciting projects. I’ve seen places I never would have otherwise seen, met people I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and gained access to areas that would have been impossible to reach. The camera opens up so many opportunities in so many ways — it’s amazing.
LBB> How has production changed since you started your career?
David> I started in production when DSLRs were really hot, which shook up how we approached camera tech. Having that as part of my foundation gives me and Airfoil an advantage in how we approach our work and adapt to quickly evolving technology.
The calibre of production in the industry has also skyrocketed. There are so many talented teams out there making incredible work. The accessibility of technology has fuelled this growth but also made the space much more competitive.
And then, of course, there are cost consultants.
LBB> And what has stayed the same?
David> The process. It’s funny — no matter how many times we try to reinvent the wheel, the foundational process of production hasn’t really changed. Although, I think AI might shake things up a bit.
LBB> What do you think is the key to being an effective producer—and is it something innate or something that can be learned?
David> It’s a mindset. Premium is a mindset; achieving great outcomes is a mindset. We apply this mindset to everything we touch, regardless of budget or scope.
LBB> Which production project from across your career are you most proud of and why?
David> This is a tough one — I’m really proud of the body of work I’ve been a part of, and even more proud of what my team has created. It’s incredibly rewarding to go to battle and come out the other side, knowing we have each other’s backs and are proud of what we’ve accomplished.
Honourable mention goes to a Dulux Paint spot, 'Du it with Dulux', we did early in 2024. We had four sets, a cat, a lot of wacky paint stuff, and a challenging budget. The whole team, from the PA to the EP, rallied around this great piece of creative.
LBB> And in terms of recent work, which projects have you found particularly exciting or challenging?
David> There’s no better motivator than great creative. We get excited over a solid set of boards or scripts from an agency, and we’ve been lucky to work on many exciting projects. We’re actually prepping for some right now.
We also develop our own documentaries, which is incredibly rewarding work.
LBB> Producers always have the best stories. What’s the hairiest or most insane situation you’ve found yourself in, and how did you work your way out of it?
David> Oh man, there are too many. I actually love how what once would have been a devastating issue — like a hurricane or a talent bailing on the day of — can now be taken in stride. These scenarios can actually feel fun at times. Is that weird?
But yeah, a few moments come to mind:
We called a weather day for a literal category four hurricane (Fiona) to hit. We shot on Friday, the hurricane hit on Saturday, and we shot day two on Sunday — all exteriors.
We were rushed off a glacier at the base of Mt. Denali in Alaska to get the crew out before some nasty weather hit. We had a few minutes to spare, or we’d have been stuck out there for three or four days.
LBB> What are your personal ambitions or aspirations as a producer?
David> Right now, I want to keep growing the business, keep levelling up our team, and continue showing our clients that we can deliver great creative work.
LBB> As a producer, your brain must have a never-ending "to-do" list. How do you switch off? What do you do to relax?
David> There’s this moment when I’m getting the kids packed into the car, and they’re strapped in their car seats. As I close the door and walk around the car in silence to get into the driver’s seat — it’s like Jamaica.
In all seriousness, though, I’ve been enjoying fishing with my five-year-old son, Leo. My family is my power — they fuel me. I’m very lucky that way.
LBB> Producers are problem solvers. What fuels your curiosity and drive?
David> Mission #1 is to make great work. So far, I think it’s served us well as we apply that to everything we do. Curiosity and drive stem from that.
LBB> What advice would you give to people who are interested in becoming a producer?
David> It’s a really great career, though it’s not always comfortable or practical. Your network is a big part of your value, so find a mentor.
LBB> From your experience, what are the ingredients for a successful production?
David> Buy-in. When everyone is fully committed to the project, it’s amazing what you can achieve.
LBB> What’s the key to a successful production-client relationship?
David> Empathy.
LBB> Producers are naturally hands-on—they have to be. How do you balance that in the more managerial role of an EP?
David> I find that the more time I can spend on 'important but not urgent' things rather than 'important and urgent' things, the better. I’ll always ask, “How can I help?”, when needed, but when I balance the urgent and non-urgent tasks, I’m typically the most useful when you zoom out to the larger picture.
