10 Years of Filmmaking Lessons Explained in Under 10 Minutes

This past week I made a post on LinkedIn summarizing 10 lessons from my last 10 years of filmmaking.

Today, I’m going to share with you my top 5 lessons from that list and break them down in detail for you.

Let's get after it!

My Top 5 Lessons Explained (with Real-Life Examples)

1.  Filmmaking is 20% filming, 80% everything else

This is where most filmmakers completely fumble.

Building a filmmaking business is just as important as the films themselves. 

Here are some of the most crucial skills I've acquired in the 80% category:

• Managing relationships
• Customer service
• Navigating industry politics
• Writing (pitches, treatments, emails, posts, etc.)
• Reading contracts
• Client outreach
• Sales & marketing
• Social media
• Networking
• Studying market trends

In my own experience, these skills have applied to work in the following areas:

• Independent filmmaking (shorts & features)
• Film festivals
• Applying for grants & funding
• Pitching & treatment building
• Branded & commercial films
• Digital and TV series
• Documentaries

2. Consistency is easy to explain, hard in practice

The number one skill I've learned to stay on top of my game is consistency. 

You will beat 99% of filmmakers with this one skill alone. 

Create an environment where being consistent can be as easy as possible. 

And make sure that your consistency is targeted in the right direction. 

I will share my personal framework on this in a future newsletter!

3. Don't rely on 1 stream of income

Filmmaking (and really any creative field) can be a rollercoaster. 

Especially if you work for yourself or as a freelancer.

But full-time employment can also change at the drop of a dime.

Real-life examples of curve balls from my own career:

• Clients can discontinue
• Contracts can get messy
• You can get ghosted
• Lay-offs can happen
• Projects can flop
• The state of the world can change
• Social media platforms can disappear
• Unexpected expenses can accumulate

The list goes on...

Don't get caught off guard. 

Just because you're currently killing it doesn't mean every month will be that way.

And if you're not killing it yet, you can pull yourself out.

Learn new skills and sharpen the tools in your toolbox.

Stack as many skills as you can to expand the range of opportunities and freelance jobs you can take (and be qualified for).

Repeat and scale what worked for you.

Keep building, refining, and mastering.

4. No contract is better than a bad contract

This is always a tough one. 

In the beginning of my career, I was so excited for any opportunity that came my way.

I said yes to everything, which helped me grow quickly.

Then I received my first big offer.

The contract was probably 10 pages long and I didn't understand most of it. 

I didn't have much money, so I hired a friend of a friend who happened to be a lawyer and he gave me a generous discount.

DO NOT cheap out on legal fees. 

Do your research and only hire an entertainment lawyer that has experience negotiating a similar deal.

Make sure you ask them for examples of deals they've closed, which projects, and companies they've worked with.

Lastly, even if you have an amazing entertainment lawyer, it is essential to understand what you are signing. 

You can literally Google or Chat GPT terms and phrases.

Nobody else is signing the deal but you.

Stop being afraid of contracts and start getting curious!

It is the currency and future of your filmmaking business.

5. Your reputation is your most valuable asset 

Everybody knows everybody in the entertainment industry.

If not directly, then there's likely a degree of connection depending on your niche.

Do not take this lightly. 

My success in my niche is built off of relationships.

And making sure my work reflects positively on my reputation.

It's hard being a filmmaker.

Things won't always feel fair.

So I've compiled a few important takeaways from my experience in this category below:

• Don't take things personally
• Try not to be petty
• Let go of ego
• Be calm, not confrontational
• Act with integrity & kindness always

It's not easy, but you will thank yourself down the line if you can work towards these goals.

We're only human, so no need to be hard on yourself for past mistakes.

Summary

Here are my top 5 lessons from 10 years of filmmaking:

1. Filmmaking is 20% filming, 80% everything else

2. Consistency sounds easy, but is hard

3. Diversify your income

4. No contract is better than a bad contract

5. Your reputation is your most valuable asset