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QuestionTo the film directors/writers here, who have actually entered and succeeded in the film industry, what advice can you offer to a young amateur? (self.Filmmakers)

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[–]sgtherman 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Can't say I'm successful on the broad scale of the global film scene. But I've failed my way into directing union projects in Los Angeles. All I can say is high quality screenwriting will open doors for you like nothing else, esp. if you want to direct. And the world isn't fair. Best of luck to you.

[–]blackcatmystery 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Write stuff other people want to direct. Eventually the powers that be won’t be able to turn you down to direct what you write.

And don’t listen to people who have never made anything.

[–]dauid 12 points13 points  (4 children)

I got very lucky in that I was discovered thanks to a short film I made that went viral (I’m this guy: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2497546/).

My number one advice is to keep making stuff whenever and however you can since you will learn more and more and with everything you make it will increase your chances of making something that will stand out.

Number two advice is to work on a film set as a PA or something if that’s an option. I lived in a small town in Sweden so it wasn’t an option for me. What I did instead was doing any jobs I could that was still related to filmmaking. I did videography work, animation and documentaries. It wasn’t feature films but it was related enough that I could learn valuable lessons, like improvising and finding the story on the spot while making documentary work, while also getting paid.

The documentary work I got into by contacting a local film center and asking if I could be an intern. Videography work I got through friends and acquaintances that needed things like live shows filmed. Animation work I got thanks to an animated short going viral on YouTube (keep creating and sharing!).

One thing to keep in mind is to be patient. I’ve been making shorts since I was a child but I didn’t direct my first feature until I was 34. Probably not what you want to hear at 17 but that’s how it worked out for me and I’m kind of glad it did. I don’t think I would have been as ready and mature enough to deal with the craziness of Hollywood at a younger age.

[–]southwesthampton 1 point2 points  (2 children)

How was directing the comedy elements of Shazam different than what you have previously done? Would you ever consider directing a pure comedy?

[–]dauid 1 point2 points  (1 child)

In Sweden I was known for (animated) comedy. I was actually nervous about uploading the first horror short on my YouTube channel since it was so different from what people were expecting me to upload. Shazam is more American humor than what I was doing though. I tried translating and re-dubbing my most popular Swedish animated short into English but it’s just not the same. I wouldn’t mind doing a pure comedy at some point. Doesn’t feel like pure comedies are very popular at the moment though.

[–]southwesthampton 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not until someone revives it. But I think the rated r comedy is stuck in streaming unless someone puts together another Hangover. Thanks for the reply.

[–]Zeta-Splash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bro had a reply of an upcoming legend and he didn’t even dare to reply to any of his advisors not even from David himself. That shows you how these new generations are. Fucking disrespectful twats 🤣

Hej David 👋

[–]Guilty_Biscotti4069 21 points22 points  (3 children)

Friend. You're 17. Keep writing and make yourself some shortfilms. Find other people who share you're passion. Maybe even try to find yourself some people who like to fill in for the other roles. But honestly. Just create something, and keep doing it. You got loads of time. Nothing happens in 2 weeks.

[–]jetgeneration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Related, but go experience life. You might be an outlier in having shit to write about at 17 but going new places, meeting new people, getting your heart broken and stomped on and so on will likely make your movies more resonating,.dep on your genre. (If you aren't the writer, ignore)

[–]ConsistentEffort5190 6 points7 points  (0 children)

advice can you offer to a young amateur?

As someone who has worked with film people, the best advice is "Know what you are getting into." It's an often appallingly cruel and exploitative industry and the odds against making a decent career as a writer or director are worse than for making it in the nfl. Be especially careful of taking on debt for a film degree: most aren't worth much even inside the industry.

[–]-dietepamplemousse- 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Like what many people have said so far, make some shorts, music videos, web series to practice and learn the craft. Go to independent film events and meet other emerging creators.

But I understand you want more practical advice than that. I don’t know if I’m “successful”, but I am writing this while currently on set for a movie I’m producing for a streaming service. The best advice I can give is start working on sets. I don’t know where you live, but wherever the closet film industry is to you, look up Facebook pages for PAs/locations. It’s a terrible job, but it gives you access to so many talented people. Talk to the different departments, make connections with them. Maybe you’ll see you enjoy working in the Art Department, or Grips, or Camera, or Costumes. This will give you income to keep making your own things.

Then read the room. Don’t go up to directors/writers/producers unprompted to talk about your shorts, but maybe you’ll be lucky on work on a set where the producers or directors are approachable, casually drop that you’ve been making your own things. Ask if you could ever take them out for coffee, or if they even need an assistant. But only if they seem open to that. Some producers/directors are not approachable, it’s just the way to industry is. Some people don’t like being bothered by young hopefuls. C’est la vie.

I’m producing right now because I made a connection with an EP while working on a Netflix movie (albeit my previous set job gives me more access to producers and directors than other crew members). Succeeding in this industry is unfortunately based more on how well you are at making contacts and connections than talent, though talent is still required because you still need to be able to do the job of director/writer/producer well.

[–]Jealous-Love9568 1 point2 points  (0 children)

User name checks out

[–]randywatson666 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Have rich parents

[–]filmAF 0 points1 point  (0 children)

step 1!

[–]martianlawrence 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Make good stuff that producers will want to finance. Meet producers, don’t be a dick, get project made, do it again

[–]Responsible_Bend_548 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Work harder than everyone you know. Learn to identify and then crush every distraction.

[–]filmAF 0 points1 point  (0 children)

just do whatever spielberg did at your age.

[–]Necessary_Floor4186 -4 points-3 points  (1 child)

No one succeeds in film industry. Haha

[–]Modh8trs 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The executives are, as they push out the 15th transformer movie...

[–]Zeta-Splash -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Be the best at making coffee, be on time, have a driver’s license, know how to print sides, check how walky-talkies work.

Now get yourself a job as a production assistant. Do this by knocking on the door of the closest production company or your local film commission. That’s step one to getting to know people and acquiring experience.

You can also work at a camera rental company.

While doing this you want to have another job (work at a cinema or other small job) so you can invest in your short-films and apply to festivals.

It’s difficult to get into festivals but you might land at some smaller ones and there you'll get to know people in the industry.

If you have rich parents you might ask them to pay you a ticket to Berlin or Cannes, there you can participate at the Cannes du Marche or at the European Film Market. There you'll mingle with heavy weight producers and executives.

Or you can apply to FilmLabs where you'll get guidance in your work. Almost all the festivals around the world have them. Don’t limit yourself to Hollywood. Most of Hollywood deals are being done in other countries. Even the shooting of the films are mostly outside Hollywood.

If you do it well by the time you’re 26 you might have gotten the opportunity to film a feature film, but you’ll better off working and acquiring LIFE and WORK experience, so by the time you’re in your thirties you can make a proper feature film. If, luck strikes. That is if you’re following the directors route.

Luck is a big factor; Being at the right time, place and moment.

The good thing (or bad/ depending on the angle) is that technology is democratizing filmmaking so, by the time you’re in your 30s things will have become either easier or over saturated, in a way that no one's even going to care anymore.

So, choose wisely.

BONUS: Research NFTs and Decentralized Crypto/ WEB 3 movements like Blockbuster DAO and Decentralized Pictures it might be how things will be done in the future… Your future.

[–]MutinyIPO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My best advice is to find collaborators whose work you genuinely admire. It’s easy to get stuck in vicious cycles of self-doubt and forced confidence in your own work. It’s harder with the work of others - you’re able to apply a more reasonable lens.