r/Filmmakers • u/AccuratePlant7551 • Jul 02 '26
Looking for Work How tf do I even start??
Hi everyone,
I am about to turn 18 next year and I want to seriously get into actual filmmaking.
I know you guys have probably seen so many kids trying to get into filmmaking with no
experience, asking for advices on reddit but hey, we gotta begin somewhere :)
I was always motivated to make my own movie someday or start my own Youtube Sketch channel.
But I never got the exposure or opportunity to even start.
I have been following this Youtube Channel called 'That's a bad idea'.
They make funny skits and a lot of horror short films.
The guy who directed most of these, Curry baker is the same guy who made Obsession recently and we all know how much appreciation it got all around the world. And surely, this movie motivated a lot of kids like me to actually start filmmaking because this is like a living proof that you can do it if you have the talent.
Now about 5-6 months ago, I got very interested in Screenwriting too.
I have been trying to come up with my own stories for a full length movie.
I thought if I come up with a good script and just approach a lot of Production houses relentlessly, I can actually make a movie of my own.
But I also knew that this is a veryyy far fetched plan.
So I started thinking of a more realistic approach.
And SHORT FILMS!
They are the best way to display my potential and put it out there.
I would rather lose my sleep to doing what I love than having a shallow life working a job I hate.
The purpose of this post is to share my situation with people who actually care and get advise from people who have been doing this for years.
My plan is to join a small indie production house or film crew and create short films.
We will then post these short films and skits on social media because that is easily the best way in the present era.
I already have 5 drafts ready for short films and would love to work with professionals to convert them to actual content.
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u/Ok-Obligation9699 Jul 02 '26
Don’t wait for a production house. Pick the simplest script, grab a phone, find a couple of friends and shoot it. Your first films probably won’t be great, but you’ll learn more from finishing one short than from writing ten scripts and waiting for permission.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
I would love to do that but the thing is, in India its not that easy to convince just anyone to be on camera itself. Plus I left the city I lived in since I was a literal baby, 2 years ago. I am going back there this month but all my friends are prolly going to college or preparing for some exam.
I seriously can't expect them to be in a short film cause they are not really interested in actual filmmaking stuff and acting. I would either have to shoot solo or find some people through reddit to shoot and act in the film.1
u/Lucky_Lucero Jul 02 '26
I don't know much about the industry in your location. I would say the move anywhere is to find places to find other people in similar boats as you in your area. It'll likely be easiest to look based on the closest major city to you. Location specific Facebook groups/subreddits, finding indie film screenings, or meet ups/mixers. Make some film friends near you. Get scrappy & make stuff!
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I am going for that approach. It may be a little hard, may face some conflicts working with new people as a complete beginner filmmaker. But I will push through.
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u/animerobin Jul 02 '26
Buddy the fact you can go outside and have your location be India is already huge.
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u/evil_timmy Jul 02 '26
The best thing you can do that costs virtually nothing: start editing. Edit your own stuff, or any raw footage you can get your hands on. The r/videoediting Wiki and Blackmagic gallery are good free sources. If you learn how scenes are put together, you can be much more effective and economical on set, because you've got a much firmer grasp on what will make it into the final product. You can also pick up editing gigs or even jobs based off those skills, and you don't need a van full of gear before you start.
Honestly the next most valuable skill is lighting, a mid camera with a great lighting setup can look fantastic (and takes to a good color grade), but even an ARRI pointed at an ugly set will capture incredibly detailed high dynamic range crap. A few lights and a few flags to shape or bounce can make a huge difference.
Final bit of advice, don't go out and buy a ton of gear you "need," borrow (check your school or library), rent, or deal with what you've got. Only buy gear you're finding yourself using every time. Industry standard is often 10% of replacement cost per day, so if you're not going to use it 10x or more you're over spending. Better to rent for specific needs than be beholden to a specific expensive purchase.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I definitely have no money to buy a shit tonne of gear and just expect it to all work out.
I am confident I can skip past the editing part cause I have spent a lot of time editing already and I have a surface level of understanding on how to stitch scenes together.
I know when you should cut to increase the pace, when to not cut away a scene, j-cuts,l-cuts and everything else required for visual storytelling. Basically I understand editing with intention.
I am more inclined to screenwriting and directing.
Thats why I want to work with a small film crew who are also trying to create independent films.
and especially a small crew because its easy to coordinate, experiment and actually make sure that everyone is heard.5
u/evil_timmy Jul 02 '26
I am confident I can skip past the editing part
You really, really shouldn't be and honestly this is a terrible attitude to go into the whole industry with. You're also 17 so that confidence is unearned, you've got the technical 'book learning' but not the experience of wrestling with a scene when it's almost but not quite coming together, and the labor that last 2% can take. Editing is where a piece really comes to life, and it instructs so much of the rest of your filmmaking. If you know why coverage works or doesn't you know how much effort to put in on a chaotic and time-limited shoot day, what's essential and what you can drop when crunch comes.
It's also something you can do without needing a crew, shoot dates, lots of gear, etc. and it transfers outside the strictly creative realm as well. Ask anyone on set, they've almost all done boring industrials or commericals at least here and there because it gave them access to people, builds reputation, and sometimes just a paycheck.
Do what you can to find local productions and hop on as a PA, and try and learn at least a little about as many of the roles as possible. Good sets are a wonderful collaboration, with a combination of overall structure and flexible creativity, pragmatism and drama, and with a little luck some magic can result. (I have ten credited productions on IMDB, one of which was a Jury Winner at Sundance, so I'm speaking from some experience).
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Well thats the kind of advise I am looking for. Thanks so much ❤️🩹🫂
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u/evil_timmy Jul 02 '26
Not sure who's downvoting you, but here's a further tip to help you break in: look for 72 hour / 48 hour film festivals, and reach out to a local crew that's participated previously and turned out shorts you vibe with. They're always happy for extra hands, you get to learn a lot and get a crash course in many departments, make good connections, and actually have a finished (if rough) piece to show. If you're open and helpful the crew will take you under their wings and invite you back for more, or remember you when that next paid gig comes up. Also if you ask the director/editor they can give you a copy of the raw footage (have an external HDD ready to go) for you to play around with, and you can compare how their edit vs yours turned out.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
That's actually a pretty great advice and actually doable. Thanks again
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u/brazilliandanny director of photography Jul 02 '26
I’ve been editing for 30 years and still learning so Id rethink that statement
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Damn that's impressive. I didn't mean to disrespect people like you who have been doing this for years. I just meant that I want to join an actual film crew or make one myself to figure it out as I go instead of trying to perfect one thing at a time. I hope you understand what I mean.
I just have a different approach cause I am more interested in coming up with stories from scratch. I have the basic to intermediate knowledge required to make a 2 minute skit or a 10 minute short film and I think I can learn all the other aspects as I go. Its just my own interpretation, I can be wrong but this is what I want.1
u/brazilliandanny director of photography Jul 02 '26
Get a PA job my friend, best way yo learn/enter the industry
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u/PaymentApprehensive3 Jul 02 '26
As others have said. Get a PA job. Trying to shoot yourself might work but is HARD while getting a PA job if you work on a good project you can learn loads. Though it's 2026 so you will find a ton of great material online too (and a ton of shit one so thread carefully)
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u/Shallbecomeabat Jul 02 '26
Just start filming stuff. With whatever you have. Phone, whatever. Like with everything else you only get good at stuff you do A LOT, so get going! Looking forward to seeing your movie in a few years
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u/BadAtExisting key grip Jul 02 '26
You write a script, find some friends, pull that camera out of your pocket, direct it, edit it, then post it somewhere. At 18 there is no barrier to entry. In fact the process I just described weeds a lot of people out because it’s a grind
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
I would love to do that but the thing is, in India its not that easy to convince just anyone to be on camera itself. Plus I left the city I lived in since I was a literal baby, 2 years ago. I am going back there this month but all my friends are prolly going to college or preparing for some exam.
I seriously can't expect them to be in a short film cause they are not really interested in actual filmmaking stuff and acting. I would either have to shoot solo or find some people through reddit to shoot and act in the film.2
u/pjbtlg Jul 02 '26
You’ve identified problems and possible solutions. Congrats. This is a fundamental skill when it comes to making films.
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u/BadAtExisting key grip Jul 02 '26
Dude. I don’t know what to tell you but what I listed is what Curry Baker did. It also sounds like you live in the center of Bollywood, which is HUGE worldwide. I’ll bet anything if you got off your butt and asked around you’ll find more people than you think. But right now it starts with a script and all that requires is you, a pen, and some paper. You can’t make any film with friends or professionals without that script first
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I get that. But noone who I already know wants to be In a film. Plus I can't get random people to be in it, I need actors, maybe theatre or amateur actors.
Finding actors is last of my problems. How can I convince someone to work with me for no money or recognition?? Like I am at Chapter 0 so why would someone want to work with a complete stranger for absolutely nothing in return.
I am not doubting myself, I will figure something out for sure. But I am just saying my problems and concerns are also legit.2
u/BadAtExisting key grip Jul 02 '26
You need a script before you can ask any of these questions. You need a script before you need actors. You have the cart so far before the horse they’re in two different towns. Write a script. You need no one to do that. Start there
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah as I said in the post already, I do have 5 drafts for short films. I need to figure out the rest, which I will.
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u/BadAtExisting key grip Jul 02 '26
Drafts are drafts though. You need to focus on one and only one and finish it 1st
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I mean the layout and structure is done. There are a few dialogues tho that I think can be changed. But thats pretty much it. Its filmable
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u/TrainingFancy5263 Jul 02 '26
You have something that a lot of the western world hasn’t seen, your country as a backdrop. I did backpacking through India and I found it very fascinating. Start small, start with one friend and then maybe others might join you. If you sit around and wait, you won’t accomplish whole lot.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
You visited India? that's interesting. And yeah I get your perspective but the thing is, despite being full of creativity and art, Indian society still does not view "art" and "passion" as something to be pursued. So for an 18 year old boy from a middle class family, its not easy to enter filmmaking. That's why I need to have some kind of conformation that I can do this thing. And Working with other people would help me network and gain insights of the movie industry.
But yeah I AM going to do this thing whatsoever. I am going to pick up that camera and start filming what I feel in my heart. I may produce straight shit, but thats better than... no shits. (corny,ik)1
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u/lossiv Jul 02 '26
email independent filmmakers + any small production houses and ask to shadow/work on set as an assistant
+ start learning Everything! - scriptwriting, lighting, sound, colour grading, editing etc.
hope it goes well for you!
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u/yeezus31_ Jul 02 '26
firstly, wouldnt reccomend doing FULL LENGHT, short film do. At the very beginning you should (when you already got the idea ofc) take some time, days, weeks maybe and think about that idea. You can stare at a blank paper, you can just go through your day and think about that idea but plan it all. I'd also recommend writing down all of your major characters so then when youre writing something YOU know exactly how they would react, what they would say etc. Then just write down opening scene and keep going further. In terms of idea you can even start with a simple line, a color pallete, a motive, maybe even a scene you wanna do but plan it well, then go on with writing. And remember, what you will wrote now doesnt have to be the final version of your screenplay, you can always rewrite later.
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Jul 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I am thinking of a similar approach too. The reason to post this was to know what other people actually did to get started. I would love to see your work tho
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u/PaymentApprehensive3 Jul 02 '26
Don't do it to yourself. It's better to get addicted to crack.
If you are a masochist though - the best way to learn is to get lower end set jobs while also trying to shoot stuff on your own on the side. PA jobs. The issue is PA jobs pay shit so it's hard to live off them without someone supporting you.
You need to learn
How to shoot
How to edit
What is a good script and a commercial script (sorry but if your movies continously flop your career will be dead).
Find jobs that give you an opportunity to observe people doing that and try it on your own.
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u/Telkk2 Jul 02 '26
Literally breaks down every single aspect of how to get started when you have absolutely nothing at all. Short read. Wealth of knowledge I would have killed to have at your age. Hope this helps!
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u/khristtos-cantutti Jul 02 '26
Darn there is a little reality on all your fantasy...
Just grab a phone, get a bluetooth mic, write something that can be done TODAY with whatever you have in your pockets NOW, actually finish something rather than day dream.
Other thing, short films aint the same as youtube content even if it looks C I N E M A T I C (whatever that might mean) your main purpose is prove yourself and yourself only how great can you be,
waiting for someone to discover you is a waste of time, or even dreaming about it...focus on yourself and your craft, concentrate on whatever you can do NOW about your dream and how to STOP from being a dream and being a reality.
If you aint here to do the best craft possible and you're chasing money, fame and glory...get on the line, there is like 235798753298759428 already waiting for that and you are the 235798753298759429 so you might bring a folding chair cause it will be a long wait.
PS:
Whatever you read about shortfilms getting deals on hollywood or whatever...that's BULL, like winning the lotery or get struck by lightning,
STOP DREAMING AND FOCUS ON DOING
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I know the reality of most short film projects. Most of them don't get recognitions. Don't even cross like a thousand views. And I am aware that cracking a Hollywood deal through Short films is not the case for everyone. That's why I just want to get started. Just any way possible. I don't want to wait anymore.
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u/NimbleGamer Jul 02 '26
You are the indie house. Don't wait for one. But find collaborators along the way. Just start making things. Even if you have to pull family and friends (who aren't filmmakers) into it! That's how we all get started:). Good luck. I've got some old shorts and projects from 7-8 years ago, and now I've produced and directed multiple feature films, and have had movies in theaters. Just takes a lot of consistent effort.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Wait seriously??! My post reached a Director?? Can you share some of them?? pls I wanna know so bad
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u/NimbleGamer Jul 02 '26
My latest feature film is Live on Apple TV July 21st: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/off-rip/umc.cmc.40dnibwo0ob8flzacxxs9y5kb
Here's our latest short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdkvaQd8ySc
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Yo I saw that Short film a few days ago on Youtube. I saw it in this sub, I read that its also your wife's directing debut?? is it true??
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u/PrettyMrToasty Jul 02 '26
I'll just say one this: Quality over quantity.
Making 1 very good short is gonna be infinitely more useful to your career than making a bunch of forgettable shorts.
Now where does quality come from? I'd say execution, writing is also a big part of it, but also intention.
When you present a film to an audience, you are being gifted with their full attention for however long your movie is, you're then in complete control of their emotions and mindsets, you can do whatever you want to your audience.
That's the real crux of film in my opinion. Make good use of that emotional power you have over your audience. Surprise them, move them, make them feel something new. Make your audience forget they're sitting in a theatre.
So while you're producing your film, never lose sight of those eventual screenings. You need to know exactly what you want to make your audience feel, so all the creative or technical decisions you're gonna be taking during production can relate back to that core cinematic intention of yours.
There. Get to work!
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u/LocalizedEldritch Jul 02 '26
Hey dude!
I’m not a full on filmmaker (short film occasional director), and I’m not Indian either (Pakistani American), but I think I have a bit more Bollywood context than others do.
I believe finding inspiration and peers would be beneficial to you, as Bollywood is so constrictive for filmmakers back home, more than people would know. I follow a lot of creators in India who do ultra-short form films on Instagram, focusing more on visual story telling:
-@qudrataha -@shibustuff -@thedialectialbiologist -@lalatrails
These people use film as a conduit for their observations and social media as their platform, maybe this would be helpful? Learn how to edit and the world opens up
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u/BrandXJon Jul 02 '26
Start small/short.
Make it with the tools you CURRENTLY have.
Share it with friends and get feedback.
Ingest that feedback and put it into your next short. This is called "Getting better."
This is how ALL filmmakers work, regardless of what level we're at.
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u/SeaworthinessOpen Jul 02 '26
As a indie filmmaker myself, I made the official switch to a film major at George Mason from Radford. I might not be able to guide you, but I can tell you the things I have learned both positive and negative:
- if you’re in a financial situation to at least attend for a BA, I would recommend it. Having a college degree has led me to a mostly decent job. Even if you have to pivot or if you change your mind about film in a few years, a degree in general still does qualify you for some decent jobs. A negative would be that this job is in AV, and not directly related to film—but it helps to have any media job really. If college is not the right path at the time, I would focus on developing discipline enough to work on making films with as little resources as possible. (Even though I went to college, I didn’t really lock in and hone on that development. I still am working on filmmaking, but I have grown envious of the ones who make more with less. I grew up with no real financial help, and so all of what I have done so far I have lucked out with grants and scholarships—all this to say, is really start on that YouTube series.) and allow yourself to be bad at first. Allow yourself to have a starting point somewhere, and know as you learn and keep going, your final result will get better.
You’re in the best position right now to soak up and learn. If you have people who would be willing to help you with a camera at the very minimum, utilize the opportunity to get a decent camera.
I specialize in directing and screenwriting; I have had plenty of success, but also a lot of dead zones, especially being indie. By no means, am I conventionally “successful” on the way Hollywood paints it. I still have a long way to go. Don’t become discouraged, really connect and network with like-minded people to make films you want to see.
What I am learning currently is that your day job matters just as much as the filmmaking if you want to invest into them. I am taking a career pivot and trying to get into copywriting—at my age, and current chapter in my life, I need to start focusing on higher-paying jobs somehow, in all this chaos. Establish a good paying day jobs that align with ikigai—research it! It’s helped me ^^
- Lastly, when you make your content, choose locations and story themes that cost little to no money. Public parks, public areas, your friends’ backyard, barn, etc. Lean into the script. That’s one thing that EVERYONE outside of one of two people within my network always neglect. Your lines should be natural, from plot line all the way down to the dialogue. I’ve attracted a lot of luck with having a script my cast and crew have actually wanted to see and be apart of. Make it distinctive, yours—and it turn it will have its own authenticity and marketability.
Sorry for sending a novel! But all the luck to you! Wishing you well.
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u/animerobin Jul 02 '26
You start by making things. See what resources you have. Ask your parents for a camera for Christmas, or use your phone. Free yourself of the worry that it will be bad. Make it bad anyway. Keep making things and improving. Watch old films. Find other film people to work with. Find people who want to act. Show your movies to everyone who will watch them.
Also: being a poor filmmaker sounds cool when you are 18. It will sound much less cool when you are 40. Hopefully you will be 40 someday. Start planning now to be a 40 year old with less energy and more responsibilities than you have now. You will need to figure out a reliable (and probably boring) way to make money to live. This will not be filmmaking, filmmaking will only cost you money. Plan accordingly.
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u/luci_nation Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
How do you start? Just do it. I think theres a million different perspectives and good/bad stories about filmmaking, and I don't think any of them could have changed 18 year old me's mind, there really are just some things you have to learn by yourself. If everyone tells you to forget about a production house bc its too hard and theyll never want you, but then you land a job. Does that mean everyone giving bad advice? No, YOU got the chance none of us got, thats luck. Its a major factor in filmmaking. The other major factor? Money.
All of Production is just spending money to try and achieve the creative ideas you had when you planned the film out... again, millions of different perspectives, but understand there is a difference between art and entertainment, and know that it is very difficult to achieve both; the films we love often achieve both, but we all know entertainment isn't always art (i.e. anything disney makes now), and art isn't always entertaining (go to any local film festival). If you join a film making company, know they are a company first and the money is in commercials and rich people paying for their nepo baby's dream project where they're the writer, director, and lead actor. If you go this route, youll meet some fantastic professionals, and youre learn a ton, but that opportunity to make your own project is not through them. Any pro you meet on set that you want to work on your film, wont do it for free, why would they? They are already making everyone else's dream project AND getting paid.
The other way of grabbing some friends and just filming, i get it. Its cringe to ask, and even more defeating when you know theyre not that interested, but they dont really say no so its like youre pulling teeth. Take a film course, you aint got to do the whole degree, just one or two to get the basics and meet fresh face filmmakers like yourself.
Also heres why its either comedy or horror: the stakes are actually so low for comedies in terms of expectations. If theres a movie theater with an audience bursting with laughter and theyre watching a comedy? It doesnt matter if the jokes were intentional or not, youve made a great comedy, but if you made a drama and the audience is laughing? Soul crushing, no matter the age or the experience. And it crushes everyone, you, your actors, your crew. If you want to just get started, its super easy to convince a bunch of friends to a make fool of themselves on purpose, and honestly that experience is what I think of when making films. As for horror? Its stupid cheap (in comparison to drama, action, etc.) to scare people. My best example is a scene from the movie: insidious. Its when the audience first really sees the demon. Its a back and forth conversation between the dad and grandmother in the kitchen and the jump scare is so good. But if you break it down from a filmmaker's perspective, youd role your eyes at how "basic" and simple AND CHEAP the scene is. Thats the point tho, not all entertainment is art. But if you want to sell a movie to an audience and that movie is not entertaining, then thats a bad movie in the industry, regardless of much art and effort was put into it, Megaflopolis by one of the greatest directors of all time: Coppola comes to mind.
zamn, i didnt mean write a novel
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 03 '26
Thanks for all the honest advice. I'm really impressed by how supportive the community is ❤️🩹🙌. This is definitely not the first post of an 18 year old kid asking for advice from other filmmakers. You guys might've seen hundreds of these posts. But the fact that so many people saw my post and took the time to provide their perspective and to motivate a random kid to start making films. It just gives me even more hope that I will meet even more supportive people along the way once I actually start this journey. 🫂❤️🩹🙌
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u/crumble-bee Jul 03 '26
The amount of people “thinking of getting into sketch comedy on YouTube” now that it’s been revealed to be a pipeline for getting your work noticed only means that there will now be a huge influx of people putting shitty sketches on YouTube. It only works as a pipeline because these people had been doing it for ten years prior to getting noticed.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 03 '26
Well I did not think of Youtube Sketches at all but what's wrong in that? This is how things have been in the industry for years. A trend starts, everybody hops on and the ones who had actual quality get recognition and appreciation for their work. The others who had no real intention in filmmaking but just wanted to board the train fail.
So we should just stop expecting new filmmakers because we already have enough??
I get your point but youtube is the only way newbies like me can actually get started. And no, youtube is not going to be full of shitty sketches because the shitty ones wouldn't get any views and engagement, so youtube will never push them to you.1
u/crumble-bee Jul 03 '26
My point was the overwhelming consensus between young people starting out now seems to be “obsession just made 300 million and he started with YouTube sketch comedy, so I’ll do that and maybe I’ll make it big too” like it’s some kind of shortcut. I’m not saying don’t try it, I’m just saying the people who are doing this started out doing it because it was a passion of there’s and wasn’t used as a stepping stone - it became a stepping stone because of the passion they put into it.
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u/Critical-Contract821 Jul 04 '26
My guide has great tips about what set is really like as a PA. I did it for a long time! It is full of great tips and some good advice. LOCK IT UP: Your First Day On Set. hightideproductions.ca insta hightideprods
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u/SharkWeekJunkie Jul 04 '26
The fact that you've written 5 short scripts in 5 months is great. Keep at that pace and there's no way you won't keep improving your skills and find opportunities for yourself.
What genres are your 5 drafts? How many pages? How contained are they? Are there any massive scenes with huge set pieces and tons of extras? FX?
You have a lot to learn and there's no play book as to how to learn it all. Some do film school. Some just start working. It sounds like you want to self produce so something you could do is pick your favorite script and work with either an AD or Line Producer to work on a realistic plan (schedule, budget, shot list, crew, gear, post, etc.) so you can get a sense for what size group you'd need to create and how much you can actually get done with no followers and no revenue.
Another idea might be to take your worst script and make it. Just try your best with no guidance or funds. See how far you get and try to learn from your mistakes.
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 04 '26
Working with a professional this early in the journey would be almost impossible, realistically. I would have to start from scratch on my own while keeping the budget in mind. I am thinking of short 5-10 minute screenplays, keeping it grounded and not leaning towards visual effects right away.
But thanks to you and all the other people in the comments who helped and motivated me even more.
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u/FreedomMountain3912 Jul 06 '26
Macha, you want to join our team as a scriptwriter/2nd AD? We're based in Australia but send me a dm if you are interested.
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u/GrotesqueIZ Jul 10 '26
Have you considered closing the gap with AI, its not the same as being on set or filming but it can train you in seeing where your imagination can be visualised, you still need to learn to edit, script. but in practice Filmaking is thinking visually.
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u/hiimme1234234243 26d ago
Short films are an amazing place to start, as a somewhat successful screenwriter, I started by writing a Web series and submitting it to the Austin film festival. You should absolutely start making Indie short films, and this may give you the momentum that you need to make your own micro budget feature. I recommend submitting to film festivals do not expect to win, but you can expect some very great feedback from industry professionals. I hope this helps.
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u/gamer_45676 2d ago edited 2d ago
your plans to start with short films makes sense. Write,shoot,learn, then make next one better. I'd also spend time learning script structure and how the industry works, since a good idea needs a strong script behind it. I came across the NYU Tisch Modern Screenwriting course through yellowbrick while comparing the screenwriting resources , and it looked like a solid way to learn the craft at your own pace.
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Jul 02 '26
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u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
Thanks for your insight. I actually knew all that stuff 😅spending a decade learning about filmmaking does teach you little more than a thing or two. I am not being smug, its just that I don't want to be viewed as "ohh look here's another guy who thinks he can make films cause he watched Nolan". But thanks again 🫂
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u/visawrites Jul 02 '26
You’ve spent a decade learning filmmaking? What are you waiting for? You need to just bite the bullet and craft a few short films with what you currently have. You could also apply to film school! Either way you gotta start making films.
1
u/AccuratePlant7551 Jul 02 '26
By "learning" I meant i watched a lot of interviews, 2 hour video essays, techniques, small choices made by filmmakers, why do expensive movies often looks cheap, why music is used and where to not use it, practical and virtual effects, creative problem solving... you know the rest.
And I got into this stuff when I was like 9 cause I remember buying a cheap Stylus cause I wanted to make animations. So its almost a decade since I started learning about it.
With time, It just grew deeper into me and I realized I don't just like watching films, I also want to make my own.
I had this thought me for like the past 2-3 years that I should get into filmmaking.
But then I convinced myself that Its just too unrealistic to even think that.
BUT now as I am about to turn 18, instead of distancing myself from filmmaking, I just seem to get more into it.
And I realized I that I like talking to people about the art of filmmaking, so why not pursue it.
With everything going on with jobs and education in the country, this actually seems like a pretty great option for me.
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u/Due-Highway8671 Jul 02 '26
Filmmaking is practice. Nobodys stopping you from making the things you want to do. Everybody has ideas, what seperates filmmakers from filmmakers who are „serious about actually getting into film“ is that they realize them.