Three ways how to become a filmmaker
Filmmaking industry provides billions of workplaces every year, and everyone working in it can be called a filmmaker. Becoming a part of the film industry is a dream of many kids because it’s always fascinating to be an actor or a stuntman. Filmmaking offers attractive salaries and a world’s recognition but the question is how to become a part of it. How to be a filmmaker in 2018?
There are three most important professions in the film industry without whom no film could be made, they are screenwriters, directors, and producers. So you will find advice on how to join one of these professions. Yet, before we proceed to the tips, let’s also have a look at how the filmmaker’s working process may look like.
1. Employee: This is a filmmaking industry member who gets a job at a production company. This means nine to five job with defined salary and duties. This career path requires patience because you are likely to start from the very bottom to reach the stars. In this line of work you might get a chance to make your own film, but don’t expect it to happen soon.
2. Freelance: Freelancers look for job opportunities and offers on their own; they are hired on a per-project basis. In this case, shooting your own film will be even harder because at every workplace you will have to persuade your new employer in your skills and ideas.
3. Entrepreneurship: This is a scenario where you have an idea and only hire people to make working on your film. This is, probably, the fastest way to make your film a real one, yet it requires a lot of patience and persistence to get funding, find the right crew, and go on. In this case, you won’t get paid if the project fails. But, for instance, this was the path chosen by Damien Chazelle in 2010 when he only started working on the script of La La Land that won six Oscars, seven Golden Globes, and four BAFTAs and a dozen of other awards back in 2017!
Be ready that to succeed, you will have to get all your cold calling courage together and face rejection every single day. Be ready for ridicule and disregard, but aim for bigger and your awards will come!
So now, as the air cleared of how one can get started with the filmmaking, have a look at the ways to become a screenwriter, a film director, or a film producer.
Film director
The film director is a person who guides, controls, and manages the whole process of making a film. Anyone who wants to become a professional film director has to go through each step in the way of making a film, gain that experience, and only after that get to the fact of directing one. Here are four ways you can become a film director:
1. Direct everything you can
Practice makes perfect in the directing line of work as well. The more you practice, the better your films will get. Start from short films, and even 5-minute-long clips to understand whether you like it or not, and how the process goes. Don’t also look around on what’s in trend; you should have your own vision and way of doing things to be remembered and recognised (if Quentin Tarantino looked around, he wouldn’t create all those masterpiece scenes with lots of blog in his film that make those films recognisable).
2. Learn, learn, and learn
Try different roles in the filmmaking process to know how the industry works from the inside. This kind of experience helps with creating the right shot in your own film when it comes to it, pay special attention to the editing room. Don’t also neglect the knowledge famous filmmakers share about their work.
3. Act like a professional
This point seems to be obvious, but as the leading person on set, you have to be responsible, look presentative, come on time and plan ahead. Director is the leader of any film, so train these qualities.
4. Never give up
Don’t expect that your very first idea will be accepted by the audience or invested in after the first meeting, filmmaking industry requires a lot of patience. Be steady and sturdy to get to the top.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters write scripts for films and are those who know how the film should look like. They develop characters and their behaviour, they plan and describe the situations. In fact, whatever happens in the screenwriters head further be turned in life on set. Even this basic description of the profession defines how important this person is in the film industry. So how to become one of those who manages and controls the fates of all characters in a film? Here is a small guide.
1. Develop lots of material
You never know when one of your works can be sold, and there is no better way to sell something than after your previous work was a success. For this reason, every writer needs to have a small storage of material to be ready to sell it once the time comes. Make sure, however, that there is in the same genre because it would be hard to sell a script for a horror after a family comedy.
2. Network
This is one of the most essential elements of a screenwriter’s life. By networking with the people in the industry, you will be able to find new buyers, promote your skill and work, and frequently get ahead orders on some new job offers.
3. Get hired
This sounds obvious, yet working permanently as a screenwriter even with small projects gives the idea of what clients need and what audiences like. A permanent job is a way to practice and master your skills while earning a living and networking at the same time.
4. Get an agent
An agent is a deal negotiator who can get you in contact with the right people, set the right meetings to build a relationship with executives and producers who may hire you for their projects. Moreover, an agent will defend your rights and offer you new job openings whenever needed so you can focus on writing.
Producer
Film producers, as well as directors, manage film production process; they deal with the selection of the script, sometimes directing the film itself, and also financial issues. Very often, producers work with some big production companies, such as Red Rock Entertainment or Miramax. Here are a few steps that will lead you to the dream job.
1. Work experience/internships
Film production frequently doesn’t require any formal education, however, work experience matters in this profession a lot. For this reason, at the beginning of your professional life gain as much experience as possible: go for voluntary work, get to internship programs, and simply work for free. Such conditions can let you not only see the whole process of film production and learn it first hand but also meet the right people in the industry for the future.
2. Works as a runner
After you already understand how everything works, you can get employed by a production company based on your experience. Generally, you will start from the lowest position, which is a runner; but if you have talent and strong will to work your way up the career ladder, you will be promoted soon enough. Keep in mind that even this job is not the most glamorous one, it can lead you to the top, so be the best runner you can and ensure that your bosses see the efforts.
3. Assistant
After being the runner, your hard work will pay off because you will get a chance to work as a producer’s or editor’s assistant. This position also may include making coffee or getting lunch for the producer, yet, it also includes production-related tasks and responsibilities. Be ready that assistant’s job might tear your guts out because producers, directors, and editors are often very demanding; but if you withstand the pressure you will be able to earn your place under the sun.
4. Producer
To get from point one to point four of this list you will need about 2–4 years. This is just enough time to know the industry and understand what it takes to be a producer. To be in charge of a project you will have to come up with several ideas for projects, contact with all the departments, and show leadership skills on set.
The general bottom line for becoming a filmmaker, regardless of the path you choose, is hard work, a lot of hard work, and patience. Don’t expect to get everything here and now because it is very likely not to happen. Instead, start and the bottom and work your way up in the industry to become a professional filmmaker and start working at your dream job!
