Hard Copy Media is a film and media production company that specializes in brand storytelling. It works with businesses to help them tell their stories and connect with their audience, driving results with film and media assets — from commercials to social media content to podcasts to long-form documentaries and corporate events. “I’m on a mission to build a more connected world through storytelling. I truly believe that film is the best way to achieve that goal,” says CEO Colton Trcic.
Trcic founded the company in October of 2022 and went full time with it in March 2023. But the inspiration dates much earlier. “I’ve wanted to run my own production company since I was in film school — and the name came to me in 2018,” Trcic shares.
Noting that “hard copy” encompasses a two-fold meaning for his business, Trcic explains, “Growing up in the ’90s, the ‘hard copy’ of media such as LaserDiscs, VHS, DVDs, et cetera, was a pivotal part of my childhood and instrumental in the love of movies, film and TV that has led me to create the business and name it as such. ‘Hard copy’ in this sense refers to the tangible, visceral experience of physically experiencing a form of media — touching, listening, feeling it fully.”
That love of movies, film and TV continues to inform Trcic’s business. “I still collect the ‘hard copy’ of movies and TV shows to this day and have a wall of LaserDiscs on display in my office,” he shares, adding, “My goal with every project we take on is to bring a small piece of this era of physical media to my clients and make sure they have a full sensory experience on set and working with us.”
The second meaning derives from “hard copy” as a variation of the radio term “copy” that is often used in the military and law enforcement. In this sense, Trcic explains it “indicates an emphatic agreement with or clear understanding of a received message” and thus “represents our focus on storytelling, communication and clarity of messaging for our clients when we create video, audio or other multimedia projects for them to promote their business, share their message and connect with their audiences.”
Mantra of Success
“People work with who they know, like and trust,” says Hard Copy founder and CEO Colton Trcic. “Your reputation is everything. This is why I preach the mantra of success I’ve followed in my life so far: Show up on time. Do good work. Be kind. These three simple things naturally build trust, allow people to get to know you, and eventually build connections that lead to referrals and repeat business.”
Although acknowledging lead generation as one of his biggest challenges in starting and growing his company, Trcic says, “I’m incredibly fortunate to be 80% or more reliant on my referral network and repeat business to keep things moving.”
Crediting his wife and his team of creatives for Hard Copy’s success, Trcic says, “I meet challenges in the business with the amazing people I’ve surrounded myself at my side and a healthy dose of ‘we’ll figure it out’ attitude, and it hasn’t failed me yet.”
Trcic expresses gratitude for the $7,500 grant last year from the State Forty Eight Foundation, and says, “We’re currently working on launching a larger, co-working-style creative studio here in the Valley – offering creatives a cost-effective and community driven space to collaborate, create and grow in.”.
