Zaahi Studios Co-Founder and CFO Daniel Sung on Running the Business Side of Production

A Q&A with Daniel Sung on budgets, schedules and the operational work that makes a production run smoothly.

Daniel Sung co-founded Zaahi Studios with Michael Camphor in 2008 and serves as its vice president and chief financial officer. He runs the company's finances and day-to-day operations, works with agencies and brands to plan production budgets and schedules, and oversees Zaahi's education programs for K–12 and Indiana University students. Sung talked about the business side of production, what clients should plan for, and why the studio invests in students.

You're the co-founder who runs the numbers and the operations. What does that job look like day to day?

A lot of it happens before anyone picks up a camera. I'm working through budgets, schedules, crew and space so that when a production day arrives, everyone knows what they're doing and the client knows what they're paying for. Mike leads the creative and client vision, and my side is making sure the company and every project behind it are run soundly.

Agencies and brands often bring their own teams. How does Zaahi work with them?

We fit into whatever the agency needs. Sometimes that's the full production, and sometimes it's the space, the crew or the logistics. I sit down with them early to map the schedule, the budget and the workflow, then coordinate our producers, crew and talent around their plan. The goal is that they can focus on the creative while we handle the moving parts.

The best production days are the ones where every decision was already made before anyone arrived on set.

Why does it matter to a client that the studio itself is run with financial discipline?

Because they feel it in the result. A studio that's financially sound can invest in its facility and equipment, keep a reliable crew, and give honest estimates. Clients get a clear picture of cost up front, and fewer surprises on the invoice.

You also oversee Zaahi's education programs. Why bring students onto working sets?

Students learn the most when they're around real productions. We've hosted K–12 groups and Indiana University students, including IU acting students who spent a semester auditioning, rehearsing and filming a television pilot on our sets. My role is building the structure around those programs so they're organized, safe and worth the students' time.

What should a business budget for before it commits to a video project?

Plan for more than the shoot day. Pre-production, editing, revisions and getting the finished piece in front of the right audience all take time and money. When the goal and the budget are set together at the start, it's much easier to spend in the places that will actually make a difference.

About

Daniel Sung

Daniel Sung is a co-founder, vice president and chief financial officer of Zaahi Studios, an Indianapolis video production, digital marketing and studio-rental company he started with Michael Camphor in 2008. He leads the company's finances and operations, plans production budgets and schedules with agencies and brands, and oversees its education and community programs.

Role

Company founded

Based in

Co-Founder, VP & CFO

2008

Indianapolis, IN

Sources

• Zaahi Studios leadershipZaahi Studios company page
• IU immersion at Zaahi StudiosZaahi Studios company page
• Zaahi Studios facility listingPeerspace listing written by Zaahi Studios

Background in this story is provided by Zaahi Studios. Independent coverage will be added as it is verified. Last reviewed October 19, 2026.