How To Be A Successful Filmmaker (How to be the Next Spielberg)
If Spielberg could do it, you can too!
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Like anyone who has been in a previous unsuccessful relationship, as an unsuccessful filmmaker, I feel like it gives me enough authority to write about how to be a successful filmmaker (BEING RHETORIC). Like I told my professors, ‘I can’t wait to get a job in what I’m majoring in, unemployment! I mean FILM!’ (BEING FACETIOUS)
But what I can say is that I’ve learned a lot from pursuing filmmaking, whether it be with the school or on my own. It’s hard to find film work especially when there’s an ongoing pandemic.
The cool thing about the film industry different from the rest is that there are many different ways to get in. Unlike most other professions if you want to become a doctor you go to med school if you want to be a lawyer, law school, however, if you want to be a filmmaker then do whatever you can, be creative!
But how? ;O
There are many ways to get into the industry, a degree is not always going to be enough, more than education, you need experience.
The film industry is one of the hardest industries to get into, but once you’re in, you’re in!
The God of Films knows this, I mean Steven Spielberg, nobody knew his name until his first feature-length, it was about a marine organism whose natural habit is invaded by nefarious land mammals otherwise known as man who had malicious intent. Jaws (1975), he called it, it was an instant success!
Be on the Scene! Spielberg started his career a bit unorthodox by sneaking onto sets of Universal Studios, he eventually talked his way into directing TV episodes for them. And because he is Steven Spielberg, they didn’t call the police. Executives were so impressed that they signed him a contract to direct four movies.
Although I wouldn’t recommend doing that to get your foot in the door, here are other ways to enter.
Film School
To film school or not to film school? What is the answer?
While a film degree is helpful, it is not the only way to get into the industry.
If you’re considering going then do your research on the programs the schools have to offer. There are normally two types of classes lectures and hands-on. While the lectures are educational the hands-on should have just as much to offer. Hands-on classes let the students use the equipment from cameras and mics to TV Stations, Folly rooms, and editing suites.
Some film schools don’t have the equipment or barely hav e any. Some don’t let students practice making films until a certain year.
One school I was looking at just got new equipment, but only let their seniors use the equipment. Which was mind boggling confusing? What are the other students doing then? Watching TV??? If they aren’ t even allowed to use the equipment then what is the point of going to film school?
You can read about it yourself, or take 4-week directing certification classes instead.
“You shouldn’t dream your film, you should make it “ — Steven Spielberg
Make Films
It’s in the name
Who would’ve known that to be good at something you will actually have to do it!
Filmmaking is different from other jobs, to be an accountant or doctor, a degree is most essential when applying, however in Film most industries could care less about your filmmaking degree, more than that is actual work that you have experience in. Grades and a film degree are second when it comes to experience.
How can you be considered a filmmaker who doesn’t make films?
As a beginner you probably won’t have a camera, sure you can always use your phone and edit with free video software.
But if you’re invested enough then Canon and Sony make some of the best cameras and accessories with the best deals!
Canon PowerShot SX420 Digital Camera w/ 42x Optical Zoom — Wi-Fi
Teach yourself
There’s a whole lot more to learn from filmmaking than just studying, reading, or hearing about it. By making films you can get some real experience with filming, recording, set design, writing scripts, costumes, make-up, etc… the whole shebang!
Not all cameras were created equally, some cameras were created more equal than others.
Shadow a film Director
These paid programs last for several weeks. There are deadlines to apply to before they close if you get accepted you will be able to learn under the wings of a more experienced industry professional while making about 1000 a week. These can be quite competitive since there are personal hands-on paid internships that everyone wants.
Submission materials vary program to program, but common ones are:
- letter(s) of recommendation
- Resume,
- Portfolio,
- Reason for applying
Writing Programs — There are also writing programs with similar rules
Create A Portfolio
If one thing portfolios say its experience. Portfolios tell your potential employer what your capable of and the creative process of your mind. Having a portfolio of experience is even more important than a degree, sometimes a degree is a requirement, but it is not the only thing. They need to know that they can invest in you and sleep deep at night.
A film portfolio can be anything that relates to film, not only videos you make. It can be past projects you worked on in school or outside work projects. It can be scripts you wrote, articles, movie reviews, sketch drawings, visual graphics, audio/ video work, photos, etc… ANY TYPE OF YOUR BEST WORK
Entry-Level Jobs
Apply for entry-level jobs is a simple way to get involved. The most common positions to start at are writing, editing, internship, and production assistant. My professor’s first was directing and I’ve known a few who’ve done it right out of college. So maybe you’ll have a shoot at that too!
If you’re a student then you have a good chance to get an internship through the school, unpaid, most likely.
When I was in school, I saw a lot of people in my major were getting an internship at this local PBS station because they would hire a lot of students. I felt my chances were good. One thing they said was they needed was writing interns, since I took some classes and was a writing T.A I got the position easily.
Writing is the most sought-after skill in the film industry, without writers, there could be no project.
Sell Stock footage
Take good videos? Think people would like to use them?
Then sell them.
Websites like Shutterstock and Adobe will allow you to upload good-quality videos and photos so that other people can buy and use them for their projects. These sites will either accept or reject your footage only if your content is good enough.
Selling stock footage can be an easy way to earn passive income when you’re not doing anything.
You will only make money when other users download your footage. So shoot great compelling footage that they just have to get. Travel, food, sports, leisure, animals, and lifestyle are a few of the top categories to earn money selling footage.
Mandy.com
My teacher recommended this Linkedin Film site. It is basically like LinkedIn, but for people in the film industry, either looking for work or employers looking for employees.
Mandy is for people in entertainment, in front or behind the camera. Job postings consist of acting, theater production, cameramen, writers, directors, producers, radio.
The job types on there can be full-time, part-time, internships, and one-time gigs. Even if it’s only a temporary position, it’s still a great stepping stone to get started. You can still get experience for it and new connections in the industry.
Create a specifically tailored film profile that stands out. Show them what makes you unique, creative, and passionate about film.
Enter Film contests
Make “Reservoir Dogs”
When Quentin Tarantino broke into the film industry he did it by entering in a reputable film contest, Sundance. He made this low-budget independent heist movie that barely got made due to lack of funds, however, this isn’t 1992 anymore.
Today anyone can get in the film game and submit their films to film contests. Now more than ever there is more competition, but there are also more contests. I’ve only done a few smaller ones, the most I made was a 100 and some prizes. On film sites like Filmfreeway, they list film contests all over the world. Joining is free, but beware not all film contests are equal, some have 5 dollar entry fees to 100 dollar fees to free entries.
When Quentin was asked what a new filmmaker can do to get in the industry, Tarantino replied: “to make a Reservoir Dogs”, a cultural reference to making a kick-ass film that everybody will talk about.
“If a million people see my movie, I hope they see a million different movies” — Quentin Tarantino
And Cut
Well, there you have it, the secrets to unemployment, I mean filmmaking. If you follow everything on this list and keep it up, then in no time, you will be the next Steven Spielberg making a low-budget film about marine wildlife or something like that.
There’s a lot of ways to get into the industry, but I fell the most important aspect is passion. If you have enough passion then you will not give up so easily. It is only when we lose our passion that we lose sight of what’s important in life.
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