3 Simple (But Effective) Pieces Of Advice I’d Give Anyone Starting In Film

I’ve been working as a filmmaker & educator for 15+ years.

These are the 3 simple (but effective) pieces of advice I’d give anyone starting out making films (or who wants to get started):

1. Your film is a small business.

Know how to budget, market & promote your film, and understand the legal & financial aspects of filmmaking. It’s important to understand the business side of the industry (not just creative). You’ll earn grants, sponsorships, & win awards.

Don’t wait until post to figure this out. Here’s a resource to help you:

Think Outside of the Box Office by Jon Reiss

2. Create an environment for effective feedback.

Filmmaking is one of the most collaborative mediums. Create a space that’s safe for you and others to share, improve, and connect. Feedback is crucial for everyone to learn & grow.

Open up to feedback and learn from your opportunities. Here’s a resource to help you:

A Courageous Approach to Feedback by Brené Brown

3. Embrace ambiguity.

Things don’t always go as planned on set. Learn to adapt and make quick decisions when necessary. This will help you stay calm under pressure and keep the production moving. Communicate with your team — you’re surrounded by creatives.

Get creatively flexible. Here’s a resource to help you:

TEDx Talk: “Tolerating ambiguity — being OK with not knowing!” by Miriam Giguere