My 2025 Successful Filmmaker Playbook

Today I'm going to share with you the 5 main takeaways I found from my 10+ years of filmmaking.

I reverse engineered and distilled what worked for me to build a successful (and sustainable) career in a constantly changing industry.

My 5-Step Playbook

1. Clear and consistent brand

Your personal brand is the foundation of your filmmaking business. 

It should reflect who you are, what you do, and why you’re good at it.

Whether it's your website, social media, or creative materials — everything should echo your unique brand. 

Here are some examples of components that make up my brand:

• Website/portfolio
• Social media/icons
• Logos
• Fonts
• Color schemes
• Templatized documents, spreadsheets, pitch decks, director’s treatments

In an oversaturated market, you can stand out through consistency and distinction of your personal brand.

2. One niche

Don't try to be everything to everyone. 

When you narrow your focus, you gain clarity and can become the go-to expert in your niche. 

Find a niche that you’re passionate about and commit.

You can always pivot down the road, if need be.

Whether you specialize in branded & commercial content, documentaries, narrative films, or TV series — choose your lane and run with it.

Furthermore, maybe you’re an expert in sports, fashion, nature, adventure, or news — narrow down in these categories as well.

Maybe you've been pigeonholed into one format and category and want to rebrand to another.

I've worked with multiple filmmakers to create spec work in a new niche.

I built my career in sports filmmaking by creating spec work first (while working a 9-5 job) then growing to paid projects that allowed me to go full-time freelance.

If you want to figure out your profitable niche, you can read more here:

My 6-Part Framework For Uncovering Your Profitable Niche

3. Killer creative 

You won’t sell ideas with subpar portfolio.

My portfolio showcases my best projects only (and I update it often).

I only list projects related to sports, which is my main niche.

For example, if you're looking to transition to the sports industry, I wouldn't include your side hustle wedding videography.

The only time I've seen this work was when the weddings are for pro athletes.

If it's not moving you closer to your desired niche, scrap it or make a separate landing page.

You can still earn income in other ways without advertising in the same place.

In my experience, 1-2 projects in one specific niche is better than 10 projects in multiple random niches. 

Don't have any yet? Go create. Don't wait.

4. Nimble production process

Efficiency is your best friend in today’s branded & commercial, and film & TV landscape.

It's the number one reason I have repeat clients like Nike and Red Bull.

My best advice? Develop a production process that’s lean and flexible.

You can do this by sharpening the tools in your toolbox first.

You can always outsource down the line, but I've realized it's best to have a solid understanding of every part of the production process, regardless of your role on the team.

Below are a few of the most important skills I've honed in on as a director/producer working with major clients and talent:

• Pitch deck and director's treatment building
• Shot list creation
• Production scheduling and call sheets 
• Interview questions and basic camera set-ups
• Field Notes
• Edit planning and paper cuts

I include templates of these documents in my company's production packet in order to streamline workflows even when I'm not running point.

Sounds basic, but delivering consistent work will give you a competitive edge that can’t be matched.

5. Income diversification

Relying on one income stream can be detrimental to your filmmaking career.

In my opinion, you need multiple income sources, especially in film & TV.

You likely won't be paid until your project is sold, and that could take anywhere from months to years. 

Branded & commercial filmmaking served as my bread and butter while creating and developing my film & TV shows.

These gigs weren't always in my exact niche, but they helped me pay the bills in the meantime.

Maybe you're a freelance producer, DP, or photographer.

Or maybe you work in retail or at a coffee shop.

Bottom line: don't quit your other side hustle jobs too quickly.

Build diverse streams of income to stay financially resilient, even when one avenue slows down.

Re-asses every few months and make the appropriate pivots.

Summary

Here's my 5-step playbook for filmmaking in 2025:

1. Clear and consistent brand

2. One specific niche

3. Killer creative

4. Nimble production process

5. Multiple streams of income