Case Study
Smartphone Video Training for Businesses
Client: First Frame Productions
Introduction
As a professional filmmaker and founder of First Frame Productions, Ryan Mulhern has spent years helping in-house marketing teams create high-quality video content using just their smartphones.
His live workshops consistently delivered impact – practical, hands-on, and filled with ‘aha’ moments that gave learners the confidence to get started.
But he knew the model had limits. We worked with Ryan to reimagine his expertise into a high-impact digital offering.
The Challenge
How do you take a hands-on creative workshop and turn it into something more scalable - without losing the magic?
That was the challenge facing First Frame. With years of experience delivering in-person training in smartphone video creation, his business had built a strong reputation for practical, engaging sessions that gave in-house teams the skills to create great video content.
But as First Frame’s reputation grew, so did demand. Ryan knew the value of what he offered. What he needed was a smarter, more scalable way to deliver it – without compromising on experience, quality or outcomes.
I’d tried online learning before, but struggled with it. I wanted a way to help more companies with their smartphone video skills, without having to travel. I knew I needed help to get this vital business project over the line. That’s where Candle Digital come in!
The Process
Working closely with Ryan, we led him through our proven five-stage process.
Working closely with Ryan, we led him through our proven five-stage process. It began with teasing out early ideas and aligning on a shared vision. The goal wasn’t to replicate the live workshop; it was to build a self-paced experience that could stand on its own: credible, creative, actionable, and deeply practical.
We created a comprehensive blueprint that covered every angle: from the structure and experience of the new academy to the format of his course product, the technology stack to power it, and a phased, commercially viable roadmap to grow the venture. We also developed a go-to-market strategy designed to drive early traction.
On top of that, we worked through the commercials to ensure the product would be profitable, sustainable, and aligned with Ryan’s long-term business goals.
Throughout the process, we challenged assumptions and pushed for clarity, always with a focus on building something that lasts.
The Product
A professional-grade masterclass, reimagined for digital delivery.
The final product is more than just a course. It’s a carefully crafted learning experience that blends clear, practical instruction from experienced filmmakers with hands-on challenges that push learners to create, not just consume.
Learners get downloadable guides and templates for real-world application, and follow a structured journey that takes them from filming basics to polished production – all using just a smartphone.
Live online workshops add another layer, providing direct feedback and a strong sense of community.
The course is designed to build confidence through doing. It feels less like an online tutorial and more like having a creative mentor alongside you.
The Platform
A custom-built platform with growth in mind.
We built the masterclass on a bespoke learning platform that not only looked great but worked hard behind the scenes to support First Frame’s ambitions. The platform features a clean, mobile-first user experience that mirrors the smartphone-first nature of the content, alongside a modular architecture designed to support future courses and potential white-label opportunities.
It offers flexible delivery, making it suitable for both B2C and B2B audiences, and includes community features that encourage peer support and shared learning.
Everything – from the tone of voice to the visual design – was crafted to reinforce First Frame’s reputation for high-quality, professional creativity.
The Rollout
From prototype to product - with early traction and a strong foundation for growth.
Ryan’s Smartphone Video Masterclass launched to a select pilot group. Their feedback validated the experience and provided key insights to fine-tune the course ahead of a broader release.
From there, we supported First Frame in launching and scaling a high-converting landing page optimised for lead generation, along with a partnership strategy to sell into teams and organisations. We also developed a roadmap for expansion, covering new offerings, licensing opportunities, and deeper B2B integration.
The early results speak for themselves. First Frame now has a standout digital product – one that captures their expertise, opens up new markets, and sets the stage for long-term growth.
We recently finished my first ever online cohort of First Frame Academy — Smartphone Video Masterclass for Teams.
The videos I received to review were so much better than expected and if I’m honest, made me emotional ❤️.
We ran this first round with an awesome team to test the water, and they have taken all my teaching to create videos that will now help their business grow. Their socials will be popping!
I’m loving every minute of it and seeing the progress makes me so proud.
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