5 answers
Pearl
Student
12
Questions
Updated
1732 views
Do I need to know how to do everything to make my own show?
Now that I think about it, show producers must be really, really talented because I thought they have to know how to do everything in production to tell workers what to do, like song-writing, animation, or film tech.
Are directors like "high school" teachers that tell the students what to follow? Or "college" teachers that give them an idea for them to improvise and be guided by? I've seen many actors, script writers, and animators make their own take on what was given before but I don't know if it applies to this.
This makes it seem impossible for me to make a show one day, do I need to know everything? Especially in detail?
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5 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello again, Pearl !
It's always great to see your inquiries ! I like that you are curious yet enthusiastic, motivated, eager yet analytical. That's just how one should be when starting out or thinking of producing their own productions !
The downside news is that this will take time to learn how to do everything. The good news is that you will do it. You have a lot of wonder about it because you are not in a formal education setting right now for it, trying to learn it on your own for quick results, but one day you will be expert at it. I am not sure what grade you are in, but because you have a lot of good questions that do directly relate to your career choice, I will advise you as if you are in high school. Next time, mention what grade you are in.
Trying to produce something for the screen and doing it all by oneself is a huge undertaking, let alone if you do not have the formal training and daily experience say that a film school or college can offer. It also takes a lot of life experience, too and great knowledge of the television and film business. You have the creativity and the tenacity for this work, so you have what it takes.
Directors are not like teachers at all. The relationship between a Director and a performer is based on the director knowing that the performer already understands the work but can follow the director's vision for the project. This is where life experience comes in. It will also be crucial for you to go to film school or college or an institution at which you can learn it all, one subject at a time. Do not worry if it's not all coming together for you just yet. It's not something they teach in high school and you wouldn't get the full impact and experience learning it all online. An academic or Film School route will bring it to life for you. It may be easy to learn computer graphic programs directly online on your own, but to get an aggregate understanding, I would suggest formal education at which you would learn how to do projects in an organized, structured way - with support.
A film or video or TV show is the final product of many people collaborating, all skilled in their own aspect of entertainment production. It may take you only a half hour to view the final project but may have taken weeks or months to put together. As you advance with your work, you will feel more comfortable with this. You can't learn everything at once, but you can learn and master many aspects of television, film and video production. Through education at college or film school, you'll start to grasp what each member of the team does and understand how it comes together.
Many people have their own podcasts or do a series of videos they manage themselves with little assistance. There are lots of these videos on You Tube that you can watch. It's important that you start interacting with others that are interested in and are doing videos, even at a basic level. Is there a video club at your school or anything that has to do with acting (because you say that you want to do voice acting, too). It's just a matter of getting involved and getting foundational experience before college or film school. And it's a matter of having a lot of patience, too !
So, to do what you want to do, you'll have to focus on learning acting, video production, animation and screenwriting. It doesn't have to be all at once. Take it a step at a time because like so many others, you will do it all one day. The structure for you learning it all needs to take shape and sometimes it is difficult in high school if your school does not offer the subjects. You didn't state your city or town in Hawaii, otherwise I could refer you to some places that may start to make this real for you. Try to find programs in your community that offer filmmaking or video workshops for your age range. Also find studios in your area and ask if you could shadow or volunteer. If you're not around the business it won't seem real, but understand that many start out just like you until they take the steps to be in the environment that helps them.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best as always !
It's always great to see your inquiries ! I like that you are curious yet enthusiastic, motivated, eager yet analytical. That's just how one should be when starting out or thinking of producing their own productions !
The downside news is that this will take time to learn how to do everything. The good news is that you will do it. You have a lot of wonder about it because you are not in a formal education setting right now for it, trying to learn it on your own for quick results, but one day you will be expert at it. I am not sure what grade you are in, but because you have a lot of good questions that do directly relate to your career choice, I will advise you as if you are in high school. Next time, mention what grade you are in.
Trying to produce something for the screen and doing it all by oneself is a huge undertaking, let alone if you do not have the formal training and daily experience say that a film school or college can offer. It also takes a lot of life experience, too and great knowledge of the television and film business. You have the creativity and the tenacity for this work, so you have what it takes.
Directors are not like teachers at all. The relationship between a Director and a performer is based on the director knowing that the performer already understands the work but can follow the director's vision for the project. This is where life experience comes in. It will also be crucial for you to go to film school or college or an institution at which you can learn it all, one subject at a time. Do not worry if it's not all coming together for you just yet. It's not something they teach in high school and you wouldn't get the full impact and experience learning it all online. An academic or Film School route will bring it to life for you. It may be easy to learn computer graphic programs directly online on your own, but to get an aggregate understanding, I would suggest formal education at which you would learn how to do projects in an organized, structured way - with support.
A film or video or TV show is the final product of many people collaborating, all skilled in their own aspect of entertainment production. It may take you only a half hour to view the final project but may have taken weeks or months to put together. As you advance with your work, you will feel more comfortable with this. You can't learn everything at once, but you can learn and master many aspects of television, film and video production. Through education at college or film school, you'll start to grasp what each member of the team does and understand how it comes together.
Many people have their own podcasts or do a series of videos they manage themselves with little assistance. There are lots of these videos on You Tube that you can watch. It's important that you start interacting with others that are interested in and are doing videos, even at a basic level. Is there a video club at your school or anything that has to do with acting (because you say that you want to do voice acting, too). It's just a matter of getting involved and getting foundational experience before college or film school. And it's a matter of having a lot of patience, too !
So, to do what you want to do, you'll have to focus on learning acting, video production, animation and screenwriting. It doesn't have to be all at once. Take it a step at a time because like so many others, you will do it all one day. The structure for you learning it all needs to take shape and sometimes it is difficult in high school if your school does not offer the subjects. You didn't state your city or town in Hawaii, otherwise I could refer you to some places that may start to make this real for you. Try to find programs in your community that offer filmmaking or video workshops for your age range. Also find studios in your area and ask if you could shadow or volunteer. If you're not around the business it won't seem real, but understand that many start out just like you until they take the steps to be in the environment that helps them.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best as always !
Steve Jacobson
Creative Leader/Content Creator/Producer/Editor/Storyteller
94
Answers
Westlake Village, California
Updated
Steve’s Answer
The answer is no, but understanding what your team members do can make your job much easier. When I started, I wasn't great at drawing, but I had a vivid imagination. I could share my ideas with talented artists who could bring them to life.
I'm an okay writer, but I know people who write better than me. As a creative director, I guide them with ideas and context so they can create great scripts and copy.
I know my strengths and recognize what others do better. When building creative teams, I look for people who add to our skills. We learn from each other.
Focus on your strengths and where you want to grow. Build a team of talented partners who can help you shine.
I'm an okay writer, but I know people who write better than me. As a creative director, I guide them with ideas and context so they can create great scripts and copy.
I know my strengths and recognize what others do better. When building creative teams, I look for people who add to our skills. We learn from each other.
Focus on your strengths and where you want to grow. Build a team of talented partners who can help you shine.
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Pearl
Rick Natkin
writer
1
Answer
San Diego, California
Updated
Rick’s Answer
Pearl, good question. When I was starting, I had the same daunting question.
No, you don't have to know everything.
But the more you know, the more it helps.
Still, I have always found that what is more important than knowing everything is to pay attention and ask all the intelligent questions about whatever area of expertise you may fall short in. Open eyes and ears are far more useful than an open mouth, I find.
As previous answers above point out, it is more important to have an overall vision, and be able to communicate what you want to see and how you want to see it. The thing about working with other creative professionals is that they too have a vision of where to go and how to get there. Being open and receptive to the ideas of others, and letting them contribute from their own strengths is the key to any project involving a lot of other people.
No, you don't have to know everything.
But the more you know, the more it helps.
Still, I have always found that what is more important than knowing everything is to pay attention and ask all the intelligent questions about whatever area of expertise you may fall short in. Open eyes and ears are far more useful than an open mouth, I find.
As previous answers above point out, it is more important to have an overall vision, and be able to communicate what you want to see and how you want to see it. The thing about working with other creative professionals is that they too have a vision of where to go and how to get there. Being open and receptive to the ideas of others, and letting them contribute from their own strengths is the key to any project involving a lot of other people.
Ricardo Islas
producer
33
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
You don't need to know everything to succeed. To lead effectively, you need two key things: a clear vision and the ability to share it with others. When you clearly express your vision, your team will use their talents to help bring it to life. Be open to their ideas, but stay true to your vision to keep it strong. Remember, creating a great story is a team effort, and you don't have to do it all on your own.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Pearl
Helena Y. Wu
Film director / producer
26
Answers
Pasadena, California
Updated
Helena Y.’s Answer
No, you don't need to know everything as a director or producer, Pearl.
I don't think they are like high school or college teachers. They are leaders. I feel they are more like conductors of an orchestra. The producer / director bring together all team members: writers, photographers, actors, editors, etc, and communicate with them a vision: what story we are telling, how does it feel like, and do we tell them. Then everybody moves in the same direction.
It's helpful if you could get yourself familiar with what a writer, photographer is doing, but you don't need to be as specialized as they are.
I don't think they are like high school or college teachers. They are leaders. I feel they are more like conductors of an orchestra. The producer / director bring together all team members: writers, photographers, actors, editors, etc, and communicate with them a vision: what story we are telling, how does it feel like, and do we tell them. Then everybody moves in the same direction.
It's helpful if you could get yourself familiar with what a writer, photographer is doing, but you don't need to be as specialized as they are.
Thank you!
Pearl