I think a point to mention is you can make films while working a normal job. It’s what most of us do. Regardless of new technology filmmaking still costs money, you need to be able to support yourself while you’re developing your script. Filmmaking is a trade not a profession. Anyone can call themselves a DP. It may well take years of practice and skill never the less making a living doing purely filmmaking is extremely hard. Anyone who can make that work support a family build a career could give talks on how to do it, because that’s how difficult it really is.
Yes I can. I’ve learned those skills and have a production company. It is very difficult to find paid work and develop a niche or a name. Nothing impossible. Very challenging.
What’s your best advice for a beginner like me? I want to learn the basics to enhance my journey across various platforms and potentially monetize it in the future. I'm a bit confused about the distinctions between videographer, cinematographer, and video editor. How should I approach this? Thank you!
It’s very difficult to give advice. Everyone experiences are different.. you need to find your own path in other words… I’ll try my best… The landscape changing fast. Traditional media such as BBC, ITV, are been directly challenged by streamers. Budgets are down, advertising revenue is dying. So there not commissioning. My previous reply’s were referencing drama, single camera feature films intended for distribution. To do that as an independent producer and make a living is very hard. So most of us have another job. Making money from making content for social media, UA-cam, marketing videos, building a following, a presence, start writing a Busness plan where you see it going and change it as it develops. You need to be self starter. Don’t spend money on kit unless you know you can make it pay for itself. You don’t need the best, something that works. Cinematography is referencing shooting a drama or a film. Could also be a documentary. Often cinematography is performed with a crew, videographer often self shooter.. but depending on project that could change. Videography is referencing content, events, corporate, weddings, UA-cam, social media but lines can be blurred if there is a crew budget for a UA-cam video. Content is a very broad word.. I think cinema is cinema content is something else. Might be cus im in my 30s. I would just make a start, start shooting cutting it together. I wouldn’t be too concerned about what’s happening in the wider media landscape. If it’s about the internet build that following. That’s the future, it’s certainly not legacy media. Build your own audience, at some point that may produce money. An editor is someone who cuts the directors footage together and gives them feedback.. works very closely with then. however if your doing your own work little money you will be your own editor. Depending on the genre eg documentary the role of the editor slightly different. Longer conversation.. read a book called in the blink of an eye. I wish you the best with your journey.
Going into filmmaking means being able to sacrifice all your social life, get addicted to caffeine / other substances, and survive 12-hour-work days without dying, aka pain
Might throw #6 in there as well: UA-cam. It is definitely glamorized and romanticized on the platform, which it is why almost everyone age 15-25 wants to be a filmmaker/cinematographer it seems.
#5 gear focus, social media, theory over practical skills and experience, arrogance to get out of comfort zone #6 blending of professional and semi-professional which leads to a lot of competition #7 No connections / network. Without any connections, starting in the film industry will be very very difficult. Sometimes it’s even more important than talent which is frustrating because people with less skill might get the job but on the other hand is your chance to get follow up jobs once you have your foot in the door. #8 imposter syndrome and constantly comparing yourself to others
Another excellent video my guy, I agree 100% with all points! I'm determined to make it by all means but before you get started no one really tells you exactly how difficult it is to even just get your foot in any doors. Not to mention, potential gatekeepers or fully established people that either may not even think you have what it takes or they are directly in your way of the path/role you'd like to occupy. There are so many factors that can either make or break the journey.
Great video, thanks for this! I come from the music industry (session and tour musician, freelance producer, guitar teacher, label employee) and it's pretty much the same there. A cruel and often times unfair business where you only get a head start if you have an unlimited amount of money and time and the right contacts at your disposal. I had a lot of great experiences, but man it's not easy
Alot of people are not willing to take on the risks and inconsistency of film making so they just end up quitting. And that is understandable. The life of a director usually starts with long hour days and many sleepless nights only making peanuts. Ive been making films for almost 13 years and I'm just now starting to get some traction. Im literally at my 9 to 5 right now on my laptop editing my film on my lunch break. Its definitely not for everybody. And thats ok.
This year I spent some money to make a little short film - I think its about 95% done. I used a bunch of old cheap gear - old DSLR, old Nikon lenses, ect. I saved a lot of money by casting myself. Saved more money by convincing my wife to boom/operate. Hopefully, some old friends can help out with the final scene because the money isn't infinite. After that's done, I'll likely spend the next year or so prepping for a better short film (not casting myself) and figuring out how to get enough money together to fund it. Filmmaking isn't easy and it isn't cheap, but you can definitely go out there and make some films these days if you really want to. I dont know about working in the traditional industry; not sure Id want to grind away for years on nothing for little pay, but I'm a bit older. If you are young and have a decade to waste, it might be more fun than working at Mcdonald's or Walmart, also for nothing. But really, filmmaking mostly seems about creating your own opportunities, especially these days.
5. Connections The most common thing that comes up from people in making film and tv is who you know. Even for those wanting to get started purely DIY, the cost barrier for entry is no longer on equipment cost as the major hurdle, or crew as you don’t need crew. Cast is often the biggest barrier. You need to either pay or know the right people who will do it for the passion. Joel Haver this year undertook making 12 feature films in 12 months. His creative process is incredibly inspiring, but it is dependent upon his connections as he does not pay his cast.
Ugh as a dude on the autism spectrum/ADD, all this stuff both really intimidates and excites me. I wanna do it so bad, just not sure if I have the work ethic for it… 😅😂
well i still have to try because what else can i do? everything else i have tried i have failed at. i couldn't join the marines, i couldn't focus in community college, i don't care to advance at my job, i couldn't even join a gang as a kid lol. this is one of the only goals i haven't tried that i have left. I just applied for a production assistant training program so hopefully i get it and it's a step in the right direction. sometimes i wish i didn't have this desire to make movies because then i could just be happy choosing a different job instead of having that desire constantly poking at me.
Huge fan of your channel In light of the recent Superman trailer, would you mind doing a cinematography breakdown for Henry Braham? I find his insistence on using RED digital cameras unique.
The rich Kids can afford to "do it cheaper" or even for free wich results in Wage dumping and driving others out of business. Over 80% of film students I´ve met have have absolutely no pressure to "make it" since the´ve got everything covered by mom & dad. I had to learn the hard way that the upper positions in the industry are dominated by "elitists".
Great analysis, thank you! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
I think a point to mention is you can make films while working a normal job. It’s what most of us do. Regardless of new technology filmmaking still costs money, you need to be able to support yourself while you’re developing your script.
Filmmaking is a trade not a profession. Anyone can call themselves a DP. It may well take years of practice and skill never the less making a living doing purely filmmaking is extremely hard. Anyone who can make that work support a family build a career could give talks on how to do it, because that’s how difficult it really is.
Can’t you leverage those skills? Maybe learning video editing, selling guides, use it to build personal brand, etc.
Yes I can. I’ve learned those skills and have a production company. It is very difficult to find paid work and develop a niche or a name. Nothing impossible. Very challenging.
What’s your best advice for a beginner like me? I want to learn the basics to enhance my journey across various platforms and potentially monetize it in the future. I'm a bit confused about the distinctions between videographer, cinematographer, and video editor. How should I approach this? Thank you!
It’s very difficult to give advice. Everyone experiences are different.. you need to find your own path in other words… I’ll try my best…
The landscape changing fast. Traditional media such as BBC, ITV, are been directly challenged by streamers. Budgets are down, advertising revenue is dying. So there not commissioning.
My previous reply’s were referencing drama, single camera feature films intended for distribution.
To do that as an independent producer and make a living is very hard. So most of us have another job.
Making money from making content for social media, UA-cam, marketing videos, building a following, a presence, start writing a Busness plan where you see it going and change it as it develops. You need to be self starter. Don’t spend money on kit unless you know you can make it pay for itself.
You don’t need the best, something that works.
Cinematography is referencing shooting a drama or a film. Could also be a documentary. Often cinematography is performed with a crew, videographer often self shooter.. but depending on project that could change.
Videography is referencing content, events, corporate, weddings, UA-cam, social media but lines can be blurred if there is a crew budget for a UA-cam video. Content is a very broad word.. I think cinema is cinema content is something else. Might be cus im in my 30s.
I would just make a start, start shooting cutting it together. I wouldn’t be too concerned about what’s happening in the wider media landscape. If it’s about the internet build that following. That’s the future, it’s certainly not legacy media. Build your own audience, at some point that may produce money.
An editor is someone who cuts the directors footage together and gives them feedback.. works very closely with then. however if your doing your own work little money you will be your own editor.
Depending on the genre eg documentary the role of the editor slightly different. Longer conversation..
read a book called in the blink of an eye.
I wish you the best with your journey.
Going into filmmaking means being able to sacrifice all your social life, get addicted to caffeine / other substances, and survive 12-hour-work days without dying, aka pain
And for some reason my ADHD enjoys that hustle
@@MyFunsDumbWe’re truly gluttons for pain
Addicted to substances is a choice the weak make. But the other things are totally true.
Indeed
Might throw #6 in there as well: UA-cam. It is definitely glamorized and romanticized on the platform, which it is why almost everyone age 15-25 wants to be a filmmaker/cinematographer it seems.
100% this and then you have a massive amount of people making youtube videos on topics they know nothing about.
#5 gear focus, social media, theory over practical skills and experience, arrogance to get out of comfort zone
#6 blending of professional and semi-professional which leads to a lot of competition
#7 No connections / network. Without any connections, starting in the film industry will be very very difficult. Sometimes it’s even more important than talent which is frustrating because people with less skill might get the job but on the other hand is your chance to get follow up jobs once you have your foot in the door.
#8 imposter syndrome and constantly comparing yourself to others
Another excellent video my guy, I agree 100% with all points! I'm determined to make it by all means but before you get started no one really tells you exactly how difficult it is to even just get your foot in any doors. Not to mention, potential gatekeepers or fully established people that either may not even think you have what it takes or they are directly in your way of the path/role you'd like to occupy. There are so many factors that can either make or break the journey.
Great video, thanks for this! I come from the music industry (session and tour musician, freelance producer, guitar teacher, label employee) and it's pretty much the same there. A cruel and often times unfair business where you only get a head start if you have an unlimited amount of money and time and the right contacts at your disposal. I had a lot of great experiences, but man it's not easy
Alot of people are not willing to take on the risks and inconsistency of film making so they just end up quitting. And that is understandable. The life of a director usually starts with long hour days and many sleepless nights only making peanuts. Ive been making films for almost 13 years and I'm just now starting to get some traction. Im literally at my 9 to 5 right now on my laptop editing my film on my lunch break. Its definitely not for everybody. And thats ok.
Well said an right on the mark. The contrast between corporate life and freelance filmmaking is stark and you laid it out in a clear manner.
This year I spent some money to make a little short film - I think its about 95% done. I used a bunch of old cheap gear - old DSLR, old Nikon lenses, ect. I saved a lot of money by casting myself. Saved more money by convincing my wife to boom/operate. Hopefully, some old friends can help out with the final scene because the money isn't infinite. After that's done, I'll likely spend the next year or so prepping for a better short film (not casting myself) and figuring out how to get enough money together to fund it. Filmmaking isn't easy and it isn't cheap, but you can definitely go out there and make some films these days if you really want to. I dont know about working in the traditional industry; not sure Id want to grind away for years on nothing for little pay, but I'm a bit older. If you are young and have a decade to waste, it might be more fun than working at Mcdonald's or Walmart, also for nothing. But really, filmmaking mostly seems about creating your own opportunities, especially these days.
5. Connections
The most common thing that comes up from people in making film and tv is who you know.
Even for those wanting to get started purely DIY, the cost barrier for entry is no longer on equipment cost as the major hurdle, or crew as you don’t need crew. Cast is often the biggest barrier. You need to either pay or know the right people who will do it for the passion.
Joel Haver this year undertook making 12 feature films in 12 months. His creative process is incredibly inspiring, but it is dependent upon his connections as he does not pay his cast.
This gave me a bit of an existential crisis.
Ugh as a dude on the autism spectrum/ADD, all this stuff both really intimidates and excites me. I wanna do it so bad, just not sure if I have the work ethic for it… 😅😂
1. This is why rich kids/nepo babies always have a head start 🙄
They're also taught by pros from when they're actual babies.
Ikr. Life is so unfair for the rest of us.
Superb work dear
well i still have to try because what else can i do? everything else i have tried i have failed at. i couldn't join the marines, i couldn't focus in community college, i don't care to advance at my job, i couldn't even join a gang as a kid lol. this is one of the only goals i haven't tried that i have left. I just applied for a production assistant training program so hopefully i get it and it's a step in the right direction. sometimes i wish i didn't have this desire to make movies because then i could just be happy choosing a different job instead of having that desire constantly poking at me.
Hear you brother. Hear you.
Pain
Huge fan of your channel
In light of the recent Superman trailer, would you mind doing a cinematography breakdown for Henry Braham? I find his insistence on using RED digital cameras unique.
The rich Kids can afford to "do it cheaper" or even for free wich results in Wage dumping and driving others out of business. Over 80% of film students I´ve met have have absolutely no pressure to "make it" since the´ve got everything covered by mom & dad. I had to learn the hard way that the upper positions in the industry are dominated by "elitists".
Great analysis, thank you! Could you help me with something unrelated: My OKX wallet holds some USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (alarm fetch churn bridge exercise tape speak race clerk couch crater letter). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
💯
The best way to start is being a trust fund kid. If you don't have the luxury of being born into that, welcome to the trenches.
💯 And that’s where I am.
true and false.
this dudes voice is sooo annoying