11:11 Films & TV: Our philosophy is to do things well with efficient processes, quality, and transparency in resource management

For 18 years, 11:11Films & TV has reached the maturity and strength to produce in the entire region, with offices in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the USA. In addition, they can conduct several projects simultaneously, with the same quality, thanks to the efficient production processes they have designed.

These are some of the topics the brothers Manolo and Juancho Cardona, founders, Executive VP, and general director of 11:11 Films & TV, respectively, addressed with Ríchard Izarra, Editor-in-chief of PRODU, during #PRODUprimetime.

“In 18 years, we consolidated as a company with well-structured processes,” said Juancho Cardona, adding that they understood that production companies that would survive to what came after the platform boom were those well structured, giving results in investment, form, and product quality. “I think that is why we are growing day by day in a natural but strong way,” he explained.

Manolo Cardona commented that even though their headquarters are in Mexico, they will begin to develop projects in Colombia. “We started there, and we like to see our Latin American industry grow, but also the Colombian industry, which is our country.”

Both brothers noted that due to the company’s philosophy of doing things well, they have consolidated in Mexico and the rest of the territories with effort and discipline. Transparency and budget management are other elements that characterize them.

“We want to become the strong right hand of our clients, understanding the DNA of each of the platforms with which we work or with the productions we make; and from there, put all our input and knowledge and all the people behind it us, because this is a company managed with principles of harmony, respect, and love,” said Manolo Cardona.

SIMULTANEOUS PROJECTS WITH QUALITY
The Cardona brothers explained that their flexibility and ability to adapt, efficient management of resources, and the processes they have put in place that allow them to be efficient when working horizontally with data to speed reviews help them manage several projects simultaneously, with excellent results.

They have internal platforms in which they manage information, which allows them to work in this way. They constantly update technology to make processes more efficient, commented Juancho Cardona.

At the same time, they manage their business model with great flexibility, allowing them to adapt to the needs of the client and the market. “We have productions in which we only received a production fee, but we have also made many co-productions. We also get involved in productions where we have the complete IP or share it, invest our own money taking risks, not only in films and series, where we are partners and own the IP in co-participation or full. Depending on the project, we understand the model and are flexible to reach the best negotiation for both parties, and everyone benefits,” said Manolo Cardona.

The efficiency they manage, they explain, is such that there are circumstances in which they have returned money to the client by achieving savings from an initial budget. “Among our principles is transparency,” said Manolo Cardona, adding they have an open book policy and take care of the client as if they were themselves.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIONS
Making environmentally friendly productions is another objective which they are heading towards. “We do everything possible to make productions as eco-friendly as possible. We have structured protocols, not only in writing, but we give training on waste and plastic management before production to those working with us,” said Juancho Cardona.

Although they are not 100% there, they are increasingly incorporating best practices within the production company and also sending the message to all their collaborators.

“We are on that path, constantly researching how we can improve more every day and, hopefully, be able to be granted the most important certifications so our company is recognized as a 100% eco-friendly organization,” said Juancho Cardona.

View the interview of Juancho and Manolo Cardona of 11:11 Films & TV on #PRODUprimetime with Ríchard Izarra