I'm excited to share a snippet from my recent lens adventure at the Paris Peace Forum, where I had the privilege of working with Stantec by documenting the European Commission's Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI).

1. During the Paris Peace Forum I captured the event by providing live reporting videos for FPI to share while the event was still happening.
2. From the filmed materials we created the four videos below to wrap up the event as well as presenting three projects.
   
3. At the same time I took and delivered 100 pictures.

During our mission in Paris we focused on three projects which are supported by FPI. It was incredible to see over 60 initatives from all over the world being presented at the Paris Peace Forum

What added a special touch were the encounters with inspiring leaders like Jacinda Ardern and Oleksandra Matviichuk.

Meeting Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, was a highlight. Her leadership style, seamlessly balancing the demands of public service and personal life, left a lasting impression. It's not every day you come across a leader so grounded and inspiring.

Engaging in conversation with Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2022, was an enlightening experience. During our interview conducted by Gilles Gasser we delved into the pivotal role of women in conflicts, shedding light on perspectives that often go unnoticed. ​

This weekend we are collaborating with a local team of videomakers and photographers to cover the second mission and participation of the EU as a Guest of Honor at the Guadalajara International Book Fair. More infos coming soon.

I am excited to share a remarkable collaboration that I had the privilege of being a part of over the past months. Working closely with the University of Freiburg, one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious institutions, we embarked on a project to bring their new mission statement to life—a mission deeply rooted in values that have shaped the university's legacy. Link: https://leitbild.uni-freiburg.de/

Our approach was straightforward yet profound. Rather than simply talking about these values, we sought to illustrate how they are woven into the fabric of daily life at the university. To achieve this, we set out to capture and share the real-life stories of members within the university community. These stories served as living embodiments of Quality, Openness, and Responsibility.

On September 13th, I had the privilege of collaborating with ICF Next and the European Commission to cover the State of the European Union Speech (SOTEU) by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. This year, the spotlight was on instant media production to support a group of young influencers with photography and video content.

In an era where news and trends evolve at the speed of light, we recognized the imperative to switch from traditional after movies to embrace live reporting. Traditional after movies, while valuable in their own right and useful in many ways, often lag behind the pace of current events. For an occasion as significant as SOTEU, where time is of the essence, real-time content production is the new standard.

To get started, I'm still a one-man business or solo entrepreneur but the central change was a change of my legal status from me, Patrick as a natural person, into a GmbH (or LLC) as it's own legal person or it's own legal entity. So why do the change?

1. Financial Advantages: Empowering Growth and Investment. One of the driving forces behind transitioning to a GmbH is the realization of substantial financial benefits. As a natural person, taxes in Germany and the cost of German health insurance were significant annual expenses. By becoming employed by my own company, I can now optimize tax planning and allocate more resources for business reinvestment and expanding my team in the future. This financial maneuver allows me to pursue larger projects and invest in cutting-edge equipment and resources, elevating the quality of my work to new heights.
2. Prestige and Security: Moving from Doodt Films to Doodt Media GmbH marks a natural evolution for my business, encompassing growth and enhanced security. To be real here, noone ever asked me about the legal status of the business since it's mostly about the work you deliver as well as the work you have done before, for which people are recommending you. The main idea though is that as a registered legal entity, my company gains greater prestige, instilling trust and confidence in my new clients and partners, who have not yet worked with me. This aspect will be important once the next phase of expansion begins. First and foremost though, the limited liability aspect brings peace of mind, as any potential risks or challenges are confined to the company's finances, ensuring my personal assets remain safeguarded. This newfound stability empowers me to take on larger and more ambitious projects with the assurance of a strong legal foundation, which will now serve as the foundation for (probably) the rest of my working life.
3. Unlocking Collaborative Opportunities: With the transformation into a legal entity, Doodt Media GmbH now opens the doors to exciting collaborative ventures and project partnerships. I am looking forward to exploring public tenders and procurement opportunities on the local, regional, national and international scale, working alongside government agencies and esteemed clients on a project basis. This move allows me to participate as a project partner, not just a subcontractor, and positions me for long-term collaborations and multi-year projects. As my team might grow, we can pursue ambitious endeavors that will ensure a steady and stable income stream for the future. Currently I'm not in a hurry and don't plan on hiring in 2023 and also not next year so new positions might open in 2025 earliest.

The transition from Doodt Films to Doodt Media GmbH represents a profound step forward, driven by the desire to elevate the quality of my work, fortify my financial position, and embrace new collaborative opportunities. I am grateful for the unwavering support from my friends, clients and partners, whose trust and belief in my abilities have fueled this transformation. With a strong legal foundation in place, I am excited about the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. I will continue as a one-man-show for the near future to craft exceptional videos and share captivating stories that inspire, inform, and connect about EU Values and promote Education for all. 

Thank you for being a part of this remarkable journey, and I eagerly anticipate the remarkable projects and partnerships we will create together as Doodt Media GmbH.
Warm regards,

Patrick Doodt
​Founder & CEO, Doodt Media GmbH