Stop Chasing Mentors

Let’s be real. Mentorship doesn’t come from waiting around for someone to give you your big break. 

And reflecting back on the past decade of my career, I’ve realized it can only come from you, actively pushing yourself forward.

Creating value for yourself.

And in today’s newsletter, I’m going to break down what I mean.

What Most Filmmakers Get Wrong

In my experience, mentorship has played a major role in building my filmmaking career to what it is today. 

But it can be a slow burn, and you can’t expect something to materialize right away.

Beyond that, I’ve tried a lot of different avenues...

I went into student debt to study journalism in college, spent thousands of dollars in online courses, hundreds of dollars taking people to coffee/lunch, I got an agent, and I even paid PR agencies for press around my film & TV work.

Bottom line?

These things definitely help. But you can’t solely depend on others to further your career, only you can do that. 

I’ve found that continually investing in myself is the only reliable way to grow. 

Ask yourself honestly:

• Are you investing in your skills (and stacking them)?
• Are you working on your own passion projects (not just talking about them)?
• Are you going to in-person events & building community (weekly/monthly basis)?
• Are you proactively reaching out to others (and bringing something to the table, not just asking them to pick their brain)?

My 5-Step Framework To Attract Mentors 

1.  Stack your skills

The fastest way to acquire a new skill is to educate yourself.

In the beginning of my filmmaking journey, I learned to shoot and edit, putting in the hours to master the craft.

More recently, I took a writing course and signed up for a social media and marketing mastermind. 

I’m currently looking for a high-level coach to help me with other areas of my business.

It doesn’t matter where you are in life, there’s always new tools to add to the toolbox. 

There's always ways to level up.

2. Get Your Hands Dirty

While books, courses, and events do provide valuable knowledge and insights, there's no substitute for hands-on experience when it comes to acquiring new skills. 

Instead of waiting for someone to give me permission, I jumped right into the work. 

Whether you’re shooting on an iPhone or DSLR or working with top-tier gear, the more you get your hands in the dirt, the more you’ll blossom. 

The key here is to stop waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Just go do it. 

No excuses.

3. Create Your Own Projects

I didn’t wait for someone to greenlight my ideas to start making my projects happen. 

I created my own short films with little to no budget. 

You don’t need a huge production budget to make something impactful. 

With the rise of accessible technology, creating your own work is more doable than ever. 

Build your portfolio by creating what excites you, and the work will speak for itself.

My first TV show on a major streaming platform started as a Youtube series.

Don't overlook what's right in front of you.

4. Share your journey online

The next step? I shared my entire process and journey on social media. 

Documenting my work and experiences built visibility and allowed others to connect with me. 

Plus, it opened doors for networking and connecting with people who shared my interests. 

Social media is a tool, use it wisely to build your audience and showcase what you're all about.

These are all opportunities for the algorithm to work in your favor and connect you with like-minded people. 

5. Take Risks 

I took the risk of starting my own production company in my early twenties.

I could barely afford rent at times.

But I was willing to endure a few years of uncertainty to give my projects a real shot.

I picked up random jobs when needed.

I’m not saying quit your job. 

Take any risk.

It could be starting your own side hustle, producing a bigger project than you’ve ever done, or simply stepping into a new role or mindset.

This shows your commitment and drive.

When you take initiative, people notice.

And that’s when you start attracting mentors.

Summary

Here are my 5 steps to stop chasing mentors, and start attracting them instead:

1. Stack those skills!

2. Get your hands dirty

3. Create your own projects

4. Share your journey

5. Take risks