How exactly do you become a film maker and make a living of your work?

Ironman

Ironman

Active member
Hay everyone

I'm pretty sure this is asked many times and I promise you I will do a search right after this post.

My question is, how do you become a film maker and make a living from it? I think I have a slightly blurry theory of the process. Obviously you make a film (i.e. a short film) and get it screened in festivals but then what happens next?

I'm assuming the first couple of films won't earn you a dime but build up your name/portfolio but then how do you transact from small time film maker to someone like Spike Lee or Ridley Scott

cheers all
 
You have to decide you want to make good films.

If you want to do it as a career, then you should set your sites on getting and agent and getting commercial jobs etc. and learn related skills like editing to pay the rent.

You sort of can't plan to be an "A" List director. You can plan to direct films and try to doggedly earn a living doing this and that. If someone discovers you and you become an "A" list director - a fraction of a percent of the people working in the industry - then that has to be seen as an extra, a wildest dream kind of scenario. Not something that's really tangible or to put all your eggs in one basket for. First I do this, then I do this, then Hollywood is at my feet. Otherwise everyone would be doing it.

If you want to look at some examples though -
Christopher Nolan makes "Following" A micro budget movie shot over a year. It premieres at Slamdance.
A couple of Years Later "Memento" premieres at Sundance.
Now he's directing Batman.

The short film Peluca premieres at Slamdance.
A couple of years later, the feature based on that short premieres at Sundance - Napoleon Dynamite.
Star what's his name, becomes a big star.
The director does Nacho Libre with Jack Black - now what's he doing?

Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson make over the top gory, but cartoony horror films and eventually transition to the mainstream.

The Coen bros. shoot a trailer for Blood Simple, cold call people in the phone book, bring over a movie projector and show them the trailer and hit them (strangers) up for money. They keep making films this way. Eventually they have plenty of backing from less demeaning sources.

Thousands of others have films at major festivals / make a shlocky horror film / make that earnest first effort and really never make a living at it.

Tens of thousands of others make movies and never make a living at it.

Hundreds of thousands want to to have a movie at a major festival or make a hit shlocky horror film but never achieve it.

The thing you are not getting about "how" one transitions is because there is no set way to transition. You just have to try to get each film made and hope a career happens along the way.
 
First, buy a 35mm adapter. You HAVE to have this, if you want to make good films. Then, shoot a lot of really shallow depth of field shots, with plenty of rack focusing. Then people will think you're talented, and you're on your way to becoming the next Spike Lee.
 
Billy Pilgrim said:
First, buy a 35mm adapter. You HAVE to have this, if you want to make good films. Then, shoot a lot of really shallow depth of field shots, with plenty of rack focusing. Then people will think you're talented, and you're on your way to becoming the next Spike Lee.
Click to expand...

man, you are a genius!!!:Drogar-Dum(DBG): If you can't rack focus just put on your name tag and heat up the fry grease.
 
wonderfully put.

Jack Daniel Stanley said:
You have to decide you want to make good films.

If you want to do it as a career, then you should set your sites on getting and agent and getting commercial jobs etc. and learn related skills like editing to pay the rent.

You sort of can't plan to be an "A" List director. You can plan to direct films and try to doggedly earn a living doing this and that. If someone discovers you and you become an "A" list director - a fraction of a percent of the people working in the industry - then that has to be seen as an extra, a wildest dream kind of scenario. Not something that's really tangible or to put all your eggs in one basket for. First I do this, then I do this, then Hollywood is at my feet. Otherwise everyone would be doing it.

If you want to look at some examples though -
Christopher Nolan makes "Following" A micro budget movie shot over a year. It premieres at Slamdance.
A couple of Years Later "Memento" premieres at Sundance.
Now he's directing Batman.

The short film Peluca premieres at Slamdance.
A couple of years later, the feature based on that short premieres at Sundance - Napoleon Dynamite.
Star what's his name, becomes a big star.
The director does Nacho Libre with Jack Black - now what's he doing?

Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson make over the top gory, but cartoony horror films and eventually transition to the mainstream.

The Coen bros. shoot a trailer for Blood Simple, cold call people in the phone book, bring over a movie projector and show them the trailer and hit them (strangers) up for money. They keep making films this way. Eventually they have plenty of backing from less demeaning sources.

Thousands of others have films at major festivals / make a shlocky horror film / make that earnest first effort and really never make a living at it.

Tens of thousands of others make movies and never make a living at it.

Hundreds of thousands want to to have a movie at a major festival or make a hit shlocky horror film but never achieve it.

The thing you are not getting about "how" one transitions is because there is no set way to transition. You just have to try to get each film made and hope a career happens along the way.
Click to expand...
 
It's like playing the Lottery. Eventually someone's gonna hit, it might be you it might not. Or it's like going to Vegas and playing Poker, there's many skillfull people at the table, but the more skillfull one will win. Skills and Luck those are the two ingridients.

Or the last option, sell your body.



I joke.
 
Jack Daniel Stanley said:
You have to decide you want to make good films.

If you want to do it as a career, then you should set your sites on getting and agent and getting commercial jobs etc. and learn related skills like editing to pay the rent.

You sort of can't plan to be an "A" List director. You can plan to direct films and try to doggedly earn a living doing this and that. If someone discovers you and you become an "A" list director - a fraction of a percent of the people working in the industry - then that has to be seen as an extra, a wildest dream kind of scenario. Not something that's really tangible or to put all your eggs in one basket for. First I do this, then I do this, then Hollywood is at my feet. Otherwise everyone would be doing it.

If you want to look at some examples though -
Christopher Nolan makes "Following" A micro budget movie shot over a year. It premieres at Slamdance.
A couple of Years Later "Memento" premieres at Sundance.
Now he's directing Batman.

The short film Peluca premieres at Slamdance.
A couple of years later, the feature based on that short premieres at Sundance - Napoleon Dynamite.
Star what's his name, becomes a big star.
The director does Nacho Libre with Jack Black - now what's he doing?

Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson make over the top gory, but cartoony horror films and eventually transition to the mainstream.

The Coen bros. shoot a trailer for Blood Simple, cold call people in the phone book, bring over a movie projector and show them the trailer and hit them (strangers) up for money. They keep making films this way. Eventually they have plenty of backing from less demeaning sources.

Thousands of others have films at major festivals / make a shlocky horror film / make that earnest first effort and really never make a living at it.

Tens of thousands of others make movies and never make a living at it.

Hundreds of thousands want to to have a movie at a major festival or make a hit shlocky horror film but never achieve it.

The thing you are not getting about "how" one transitions is because there is no set way to transition. You just have to try to get each film made and hope a career happens along the way.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great reply.

Aren't most of you guys in here in it as a career or at least want to?

It sounds like (along with skill) that we really have to be in the right place at the right time. For example the Sundance festival.

I am graduating soon from a computer graphics related course and I want to shift from that to the film making industry so I'm researching in a way :D
 
Ironman said:
Thanks for the great reply.

Aren't most of you guys in here in it as a career or at least want to?

It sounds like (along with skill) that we really have to be in the right place at the right time. For example the Sundance festival.

I am graduating soon from a computer graphics related course and I want to shift from that to the film making industry so I'm researching in a way :D
Click to expand...

But you can make your own place and time by doing GOOD films. Depending on your definition of success you don't need hollywood. I posted a question about everyones ultimate goal here and I was suprised on how many people do not want to become a part of the hollywood system.
 
filthrich said:
But you can make your own place and time by doing GOOD films. Depending on your definition of success you don't need hollywood. I posted a question about everyones ultimate goal here and I was suprised on how many people do not want to become a part of the hollywood system.
Click to expand...

Ow no no, I don't want to become part of Hollywood (even if I wanted to, I know it won't happen to me) but I recently watched The Kite Runner and a film called Osama (both foreign films) and I think that was my trigger point in actually aiming to be a film maker.

make films that have 'everyday message' behind them that'll pay for rents.

But how lol
 
You can make money? Really don't do it for the money. If you make money that will be the icing on the cake.
 
Zim I know what you mean. When the emphasis is money, quality is put aside and quantity mentality kicks in :D

cheers for the replies everyone

I know networking is vital. Do you guys recommend film schools for that?
 
Billy Pilgrim said:
First, buy a 35mm adapter. You HAVE to have this, if you want to make good films. Then, shoot a lot of really shallow depth of field shots, with plenty of rack focusing. Then people will think you're talented, and you're on your way to becoming the next Spike Lee.
Click to expand...

Brilliant
 
I am at a film school right now. Ithaca College. Honestly - I am there for it's network. They don't help you become a better film maker. They give you equipment - while it might not be the best - you have it there.

I am working in Manhattan this winter. Moving there tomorrow. I got the job by myself. I've worked on numerous shows - I've gotten those jobs by myself.

I want to work in Hollywood. I have every intent on being there. And I am working my butt off to do so. It's not about the money - but the money really helps. I just can't see myself making films and not making a living doing it. Because honestly - I am not good at much else.

It is a learning process. Everything you do is helping you do well for yourself. Well - you can mess up big time, but if you don't screw up you are working your way up. The industry is very very small. If your name starts getting out there - even as say an AD or Gaffer, people will begin to hire you. And you work your way up from there.

There are thousands of ways to get from point A to B. Think of it like a choose your own adventure book. Some ways work - sometimes you get lucky - other times you fall off a cliff and the story is over.
 
Thisis just my humble 2 cents. I say if you want to be a "MAINSTREAM" filmmaker you have to get to LA or New York and start working your way up. You may be a Director but if you feel you are above PA-ing or 2nd AC-ing you might not have the right attitude. The Directors who Break into the industry have to have talent and determination. I would guess there are thousands of great films sitting in the heads of brilliant people that we will never see because they don't have the discipline to WORK and hustle for their chance.

Making a no budget flick and tossing it up on youtube and then bridging that into a successful film career is about as hopeful as winning the lottery or finding a magic lamp that gives you three wishes. Just remember there are plenty of one-hit-wonders in the Indie market. Just because you make it on the stage of Hollywood does not mean you are guaranteed an encore.

The real question is why?
Do you just want the bragging rights of feature film director, or the money that accompanies a very small percent of the best, or do you want people to SEE YOUR stories or do you just want to tell stories and be creative and have someone pay you for it.

Once you really find out why you are a film maker you might find something outside the system that is perfect for you. I look at Brandon Rice and Zac Forsman and call them filmmakers. They are carving out their own ways of doing it. There are a lot of guys on these boards making great livings doing something they love. Filmmaker is not a job description it is a state of purpose and definition for an artist.
 
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