We have Helen Clark here today with an article on getting into filmmaking. This post is written with the intention of encouraging and inspiring newbies to get into filmmaking.

You’re not going to find advanced business strategies or tactics here, so if you’re looking for that, I suggest you checkout a few of our recent posts here on Filmmaking Lifestyle.

Getting into filmmaking both as a hobbyist or a professional takes some time. Generally speaking, all new things in life require us to get at least some knowledge before the learning curve becomes too steep.

In filmmaking, this might even be more important because a certain level of artistic talent is required for reaching success.

But don’t worry if you only have the will to learn – you can reach success without possessing immense talent from the beginning, as long as you put in the work.

As you already know, a filmmaker is a person who takes the film project and brings it to life from beginning to end, but in indy projects the director often takes on multiple roles. So, yeah, you will be a director, producer and often even a one-man camera crew.

On the other hand, unlike with big budget Hollywood feature films, you won’t have any boundaries or creative limitations. Although, of course, your budget will be a limiting factor.

You will be able to do whatever it takes to make it happen and this is why it is important to immerse yourself in this endeavour as soon as possible.

In case you are still having doubts about whether you should start filming today, or wait until you study some more and get that last piece of gear, we have compiled this list of compelling reasons that should motivate you to get started on your filmmaking project as soon as you are finished with this article.

1. You Will Never Have The Perfect Gear And Limitless Finances

You have to keep in mind that even feature films struggle with their budgets before such a project gets the green light. And we are speaking about the huge filmmaking machinery of Hollywood, countless crew members, stylists, makeup artists etc etc.

Getting into filmmaking on your own is a tricky business, and if you have high expectations of what gear has to be used and what the minimal budget is, the chances are that you won’t be starting any time soon.

But on the other hand, think about what can happen when you get your hands on professional gear once you have learned to make extraordinary shots with nothing more than beginner’s filmmaking gear at your disposal.

You might also think that filmmaking gear is insanely expensive, but let me assure you, while just 10 years ago the ‘filmmaking starter pack’ required a small fortune, these days you can find really good gear for a fairly decent price.

Make sure to check the basic equipment for filmmaking and then decide which pieces you will need for your first project.

   

2. Don’t Let The Lack Of Work Experience Discourage You

The most common obstacle that stands in the way to a new career or career advancement is the impression that one lacks experience.

If you lack the experience in this field, don’t let it discourage you. At the start, you don’t even have to publish your work. Make the projects as you go and read a lot about filming techniques and other related material.

Short Films! : FRIDAY 101″ width=”500″ height=”281″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/mYnsKATCrdw?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen>

Furthermore, engaging in filmmaking without any previous experience can be a bonus, as you’ll have that fresh perspective and unbridled creativity going for you.

Your artistic expression is what will make your films unique and beautiful. This is a really important aspect, especially if you plan to monetize your experience by accepting some small projects on the side.

3. Getting Into The Right Mindset

If we have to name one characteristic of a successful filmmaker mindset, it would most certainly be confidence. And confidence in the filmmaking trenches is only achievable through experience and action.

By starting to work on you film project right now, you will be able to discover your strengths and weaknesses.

By improving your strengths and working on your weaknesses, you will boost your confidence levels, which is very important in this line of work.

You will feel more comfortable with the projects you know how to complete, and you won’t restrain from seeking help for ones that you are unfamiliar with.

4. Take A Leap Of Faith And Be Easy On Yourself

Taking a leap of faith into the world of filmmaking without any certainty of success can also be beneficial for you.

Look at it like this – you’ve got nothing to lose. You have no name and no reputation at stake.

What do you have? This excellent opportunity for you to advance and learn without any expectations or pressure.

By working on your first film project with no stress, you will be able to pay more attention to the little details relevant to your core skill sets.

Also, without any interference from the outside, this opportunity is a fruitful ground for you to work on your own specific style. The style that will be your signature and that will help the audience see your work as different to everyone else’s.

5. Work Your Way Through Small Projects

The faster you go out and shoot, the sooner you will be able to get various projects that will actually earn some money so that you can then invest into better gear for your filmmaking adventure. The time before you get your first actual paying gig is a lot shorter than you might think.

You can start by shooting some very common events in people’s lives. If you want to get into wedding videography, ask some friends to pretend they are the groom and bride (for example) and make some videos.

You can try shooting them in both urban and natural surroundings. See how it suits you.

Another great way to get lost in filmmaking is to shoot a music video.

Find a local band and offer them your services for free. You will be able to practice your skills and to express yourself artistically while making a music video.

Also, these require a lot of post editing, so you will have a chance to practice these skills too. In any case, if editing doesn’t suit you, you can always consider outsourcing video editing to professionals.

   

In Conclusion

Okay, we think this was enough. These reasons should provide enough incentive for you to get going.

Filmmaking is a very fun and amazing career. It can make your travels more interesting and it can also put you in touch with many amazing people who share the same interests.

The key is to never stop researching and learning the latest trends. As you progress, your style will develop over time, allowing you to express yourself artistically like never before.

If you want to expand your knowledge make sure to read popular blogs where filmmakers share their experience and predict the new trends in this industry. You can also learn a lot by following experts on social media.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found inspiration along the way. Got any questions, thoughts or ideas on what you’ve read? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks!