How To Make A Film - The Absolute First Step
Hey guys, thanks for reading. This is me trying to solidify and revamp the filmmaking process for Other Vision. This comes after producing (or being heavily involved with the production of) numerous films from all genres and all styles. I’ve learned a lot, and while I’ve still got a lot more to learn, I do want to start chronicling the process so that I can return to this, write more on it, and develop it, and put it out there as a resource for everyone else.
How To Make A Film
The Absolute First Step
Almost ever single film resource out there lists the script as the first step in making a film. They may distill that into something more creative by calling it “the story” or “the idea,” but almost every single film starts here. Or at least that’s what people want you to think.
But here’s the thing, I’ve got plenty of scripts, I’ve made plenty of scripts into films, and I’ve got plenty of scripts that won’t ever see the light of day as films. So does everyone else. A script, it’s not a good starting point, nor is the idea, nor is the story… not if you’re really wanting to make film a career or if you’re hoping to see your film through to completion. There’s simply some fundamental ground work type things you need to have first before you can make a film.
So what do I consider the first step in filmmaking?
Know Yourself
I meet with people all the time who want to make a film, they have a story, they have an idea, they may even have a draft of a script (which usually is formatted like they cut it out of a magazine and pasted letters together), and so we talk about where they are and we talk about where they want to go and we establish some steps to get there and when I follow up with them a week or a month later they’re no further than they were on day one.
Now I don’t want to cast shade on any of these people, because they’re people with jobs, and families and commitments, and issues outside of the film world, and quite frankly I’ve been there and I get it. Sometimes the opportunity isn’t ripe for you to make a film or write a script or take the next steps, and that’s perfectly OK. It’s ok not to “always be writing” or “always be creating,” creativity and energy come in seasons for some people and they need to work when they’re ready and motivated to work and not before. I am, admittedly, one of those people. (and I swear the next person who tells me the virtues of hustling is going to get a lecture).
But that’s where the aspect of “knowing yourself” comes into play. You need to know if you’re up for the task, for the slog, for the amazing amount of work that it takes to bring a film from concept to completion (and beyond). You need to know your skill sets, the skill sets of your community, the areas you need to grow (or encourage others to grow), and you need to know when you can take the time to do all of this.
So you may be asking, “That’s all well and good, but how do I do that?”
Good question, hypothetical reader. It’s the same one I ask almost every time I read a post like this anywhere, and most of them don’t give a solution, but today’s your lucky day, ‘cause I’ve got some tips and tricks for just that.
Notion! I am not getting any kickback for this recommendation of any sort, I’m just really a major fan of the app. Download it and use it! It allows you to create tables that connect with each other, which honestly might not sound like much until you realize how powerful that is. I currently use it for all my notes, my calendar, my rolodex, script breakdowns, budgets, contracts etc. It’s on the web, you can install it on your mac or pc, or download it to your phone. It’s an awesome program, and can be used for a near infinite number of things.
Find out what your schedule is actually like. You have tasks you need to do? Record them in your calendar. If you’re like me you’ll get frustrated ‘cause you’ll plan your week and it won’t go the way you planned. Figure out a way to roll uncompleted tasks to the next day, and make conscious decisions about doing that (i.e I’ll roll an editing job to the next day, but also not the kick-on effect with the goal of ensuring I hit the final deadline always in my mind….. soft deadlines always get bumped by hard deadlines).
You have friends? Create a contact list. You have friends with skills? Note their skills, and either on paper or in your head start rating how they would be to collaborate with on a film (based on their abilities, not how much you like them…. you can still be friends even if they never work with you). Eventually you’re going to need to get these friends (and acquaintances) in some sort of mailing list, and if that’s something that bothers you, or you’re uncomfortable with, get over it. If you can’t get over it, note the ones that you’d be most comfortable sending a mass email to and start there for now while you work on getting over it with the others.
Figure out your own skills. Are you a writer? Are you a director? Are you an actor? Are you a producer? Ask yourselves those questions. I’ve played all those roles before (very well :) )and I can tell you right now I’m actually a director more than anything else. (I just love directing films :) ). That doesn’t mean you won’t do other roles, but once you pick one get in the mindset to collaborate with someone else to do the rest of them, because when you’re free to concentrate on just one thing you’re going to be able to do your best work.
Figure out what you’re passionate about and what you like and what subjects, genres, styles you could spend a lot of time and energy in. I can’t tell you how important this is. I have had films that have been a breeze because I loved the story, the characters, the style. I’ve also had films that were a slog ‘cause nothing about it was something I’m passionate about. Inevitably the ones I’m passionate about get done early (and better) and the ones I have no connection to end up being a slog and I view them as a distraction or obstacle to the work I want to do. So learn what this is, and pursue the things you’re passionate about first and foremost.
And that’s it. You want to start making a film, make sure you’re ready to make a film. Don’t start in the middle. Don’t start at the end. Don’t even start at the next step. Start right here!
One note. This is a constant process. People are always changing and evolving and every single thing on this list will evolve with time. Once you’ve established enough of a base line to be comfortable with who you are and what you want then you can move on, but don’t do this and then leave it behind revisit it regularly and evaluate if what you’re doing is consistent with who you are and what you want to pursue and if it’s not, adjust what you’re doing.