5 answers
Darien
Student
York, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
648 views
What does it mean to be a truly great filmmaker ? #Spring25
There are so many different things that a young filmmaker can do to improve, but I want to know what truly makes a great film and a great filmmaker.
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5 answers
Ernesto Longhin
Psychologist
10
Answers
Mendoza, Mendoza Province, Argentina
Updated
Ernesto’s Answer
If you feel called, that is, you have the vocation to be a filmmaker, then start studying.If you recognize in yourself that you have the skills and talent to be a filmmaker, the next step is to hone that talent through study at universities or film schools.
I see in your question a desire to stand out as a filmmaker. Let me tell you that being outstanding comes with study, dedication, and experience.
If you are already looking for answers to these questions, the first thing I usually recommend is that the person interested, like you, contact professionals to address your concerns. That they recommend places where to study, where to improve, and that they eventually connect you with filmmakers who are significant to you.
Excelling in something, whether it's music, film, or acting, is something that comes with study, dedication, and perseverance. Also by observing how great filmmakers work. It's good to dream of becoming a great filmmaker, but it's also necessary to keep your feet on the ground. Dream, but be realistic, come to terms with the reality that this career entails. No one becomes a prominent filmmaker overnight, unless we are talking about individuals with innate talents. Ask the professionals, seek advice from those people, and surely little by little you will start getting the answers to your questions.
I see in your question a desire to stand out as a filmmaker. Let me tell you that being outstanding comes with study, dedication, and experience.
If you are already looking for answers to these questions, the first thing I usually recommend is that the person interested, like you, contact professionals to address your concerns. That they recommend places where to study, where to improve, and that they eventually connect you with filmmakers who are significant to you.
Excelling in something, whether it's music, film, or acting, is something that comes with study, dedication, and perseverance. Also by observing how great filmmakers work. It's good to dream of becoming a great filmmaker, but it's also necessary to keep your feet on the ground. Dream, but be realistic, come to terms with the reality that this career entails. No one becomes a prominent filmmaker overnight, unless we are talking about individuals with innate talents. Ask the professionals, seek advice from those people, and surely little by little you will start getting the answers to your questions.
Paul A. Kaufman
Director producer and script writer
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Paul A.’s Answer
I would advise not to focus on being a “great filmmaker”. Focus on the stories YOU want to tell. Make movies or series that you will love and are a part of who you are. That is truly the satisfaction a true filmmaker should have. One example is Sean Baker.
Morgane Hingray
Enablement Manager
4
Answers
Dublin, County Dublin
Updated
Morgane’s Answer
Darien, I don't work in this industry but I love a good movie ;) here's my 2 cents: when I think about great filmmakers I can see that they all have unique characters and you can usually tell who was the filmmaker because of certain patterns. So cultivate what you like: what do you find interesting? Filmmakers have so much general knowledge, they are curious, passionate. Go out of your comfort zone, go find inspiration everywhere you can, in museum, movies, songs, nature, people, history, books, other cultures...
Morgane Hingray
Enablement Manager
4
Answers
Dublin, County Dublin
Updated
Morgane’s Answer
Darien, I don't work in this industry but I love a good movie ;) here's my 2 cents: when I think about great filmmakers I can see that they all have unique characters and you can usually tell who was the filmmaker because of certain patterns. So cultivate what you like: what do you find interesting? Filmmakers have so much general knowledge, they are curious, passionate. Go out of your comfort zone, go find inspiration everywhere you can, in museum, movies, songs, nature, people, history, books, other cultures...
Michelle M.
Actress
2660
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Darien !
One thing that will surely provide a satisfying career as a Filmmaker will be to not ruminate about how great you are or want to be. This is a very unhelpful approach for a film career. Everyone's career in this field is completely individual and unique and yours will be too if you do not look at the career as a device for fame and fortune. That is the frank truth about this industry. If you can accept that this is an opinion business, that it's not so much what you alone do, you will start out on the right track.
You shouldn't be concerned right now about the rank of greatness in a film. Your audience is the judge of that and you'd have to go into your film education knowing that. You will need to bring your style, creativity, knowledge of both the technical aspects and life experience to your work.
Your first step to becoming a Filmmaker will be to go to Film School or a University that has a strong Film Major Program. This is where you will learn about camera work, directing, script analysis, how to talk about film - not just think about the career - and sharpen your collaborative perspective and skills. You will not be in this alone.
You will begin to do film projects during your education. Your professors or instructors will be there to guide you as you put your creativity in action. You'll finally be able to capture and make come alive the stories that you've always wanted to tell. Each project you work on is the prize. If you are already in Film school or finished your education already, you probably are aware of this. So my advice if you are already finished with your education is let your future unfold naturally and stay active with your craft. There is no users' manual for being a filmmaker.
As I've mentioned before, if you haven't started yet, you may need to realize that it's really the audience, the funders and others that will deem your film a worthwhile venture. All you can do is live film everyday and learn how to do your craft and be as versatile as you can. The goal is to experience joy and satisfaction on every project you work on. Whatever the future holds is not for anyone to say nor can they tell you how to get there. That will be up to you, but you can do it.
I hope these are some bits of information that you'll think about and I wish you all the best in this awesome career !
One thing that will surely provide a satisfying career as a Filmmaker will be to not ruminate about how great you are or want to be. This is a very unhelpful approach for a film career. Everyone's career in this field is completely individual and unique and yours will be too if you do not look at the career as a device for fame and fortune. That is the frank truth about this industry. If you can accept that this is an opinion business, that it's not so much what you alone do, you will start out on the right track.
You shouldn't be concerned right now about the rank of greatness in a film. Your audience is the judge of that and you'd have to go into your film education knowing that. You will need to bring your style, creativity, knowledge of both the technical aspects and life experience to your work.
Your first step to becoming a Filmmaker will be to go to Film School or a University that has a strong Film Major Program. This is where you will learn about camera work, directing, script analysis, how to talk about film - not just think about the career - and sharpen your collaborative perspective and skills. You will not be in this alone.
You will begin to do film projects during your education. Your professors or instructors will be there to guide you as you put your creativity in action. You'll finally be able to capture and make come alive the stories that you've always wanted to tell. Each project you work on is the prize. If you are already in Film school or finished your education already, you probably are aware of this. So my advice if you are already finished with your education is let your future unfold naturally and stay active with your craft. There is no users' manual for being a filmmaker.
As I've mentioned before, if you haven't started yet, you may need to realize that it's really the audience, the funders and others that will deem your film a worthwhile venture. All you can do is live film everyday and learn how to do your craft and be as versatile as you can. The goal is to experience joy and satisfaction on every project you work on. Whatever the future holds is not for anyone to say nor can they tell you how to get there. That will be up to you, but you can do it.
I hope these are some bits of information that you'll think about and I wish you all the best in this awesome career !