The first step is always the scariest, and few things in life will be a greater challenge for you than creating your first films. However, you can make it less scary by preparing for those moments as best as you can. One of the ways to do so is by learning about mistakes that expert videographers and filmmakers made when they started out in this field. What makes an expert filmmaker? It depends, but most will have a blend of technological and storytelling knowledge and ability while being creative, communicative and problem solvers.
Create Specific and Realistic Goals
You do not want to go into filmmaking without having specific and realistic goals in mind. Yes, this is a field without concrete steps to take as compared to other lines of work. Still, it’s important to be as specific as possible with your goals. Define what filmmaking success is for you, and steadily make your way towards that. Also, don’t concern yourself with achieving any sort of “overnight success” as that occurring is a misconception.
Communicate Effectively
Communication is important in any field, but it’s an absolute must in filmmaking. You should be able to communicate effectively with your cast, crew and other collaborators, and you will also never reach your full potential without regularly interacting with and learning from your peers. We all have our own individual strengths that we bring to any project, and you want to ensure that you’re bringing others into yours.
Budgeting Is Important
Unfortunately, finances make up an essential element of art. This not only relates to being able to fund your own production, but it also relates to your ability to fund your own life. In fact, many experienced filmmakers recommend that those looking to achieve similar levels of success should take business classes to better understand that aspect of this field and to learn how important it is to plan financially in both the short term and far into the future. As far as your own life goes, you want to find the balance that allows you to create in the way that you want and to take care of your life expenses.
Initially Focus on the Basics
Yes, filmmaking is a creative venture with a lot of drawing outside of the lines. However, you must first learn the basics. All of those original ideas that you have in your head will struggle to be made into reality if you don’t yet know how to blend that originality with the necessary tools and skills that you must utilize to do so.
Storyboard Your Film
The storyboarding step is one that is often not viewed as important by filmmakers than it really is. Doing this helps you more fully visualize what you want your end product to be, and it helps show your vision to your cast and crew in a way that may not have come across vocally. Potential investors will also be generally more willing to provide their money for your project if they can have a clearer picture of what you’re looking to create.
Continue to Learn
One thing that expert filmmakers and videographers agree on is that you will never “arrive.” There is not a point that you will reach in which you can then relax, knowing that you’ve learned all that there is to learn. Ensure that you continue to teach yourself about movie editing, special effects, animation, sound, communicating effectively, story ideas and so on. One way that you could do this is by reading articles on all facets of the post-production features that are offered by Adobe Premiere Pro, a video editing software application that helps filmmakers and videographers of all skill levels improve their craft.
Be Balanced
Burnout is something that’s commonly experienced by filmmakers. It’s essential that you balance your life. Yes, this is your passion, and you are likely spending a considerable amount of time and passion towards it. There’s nothing wrong with that. But always be on the lookout for the potential of burnout. For example, if you’re working an excessive number of hours completing a film, consider incorporating enough down time afterwards to recover from that before you jump into your next project.
Final Words
Filmmaking may not be the easiest career path to take, but it is one that provides a level of satisfaction that is often not experienced in other lines of work, and these tips will help you achieve more success in it.