How can I make my first step into film?
I been in video production since freshmen year, only missing one year as my new school didn't tell me it had a CTAE class about film. (I'm a senior this year) Despite all this, I wish I had more experience. I bought a camera off of eBay (SonyA100) so I can get more personal experience with cameras. Yet I feel like I'm not doing enough. What was one of the first things you did as a stepping stone for going into the film industry?
7 answers
Susan’s Answer
Breaking into the film industry might seem like a daunting task, but your enthusiasm and proactive approach are the perfect tools to carve your path. Here are some strategies that can help you gain more experience and boost your confidence:
1. Initiate Your Own Projects: Writing, filming, and editing short films can be a great start. The goal is to practice, explore various styles, and most importantly, enjoy the process.
2. Participate in a Film Club or Attend Meetups: Working alongside like-minded individuals can offer invaluable feedback and hands-on experience. This could potentially lead to rewarding internships or Production Assistant roles.
3. Explore YouTube or Other Online Tutorials: Watching these can expose you to different editing styles, instructional videos, and current trends in the industry.
4. Secure an Internship or Volunteer for Local Productions: Seeking out local film projects or media-related events can provide practical experience and boost your confidence.
5. Enter Film Competitions: Participating in online film festivals and contests can give you deadlines to work towards and create content for your portfolio.
6. Network: Attending film screenings, workshops, and industry events can connect you with industry professionals and like-minded individuals. Networking can lead to internships and job opportunities.
7. Study Films: Watching a variety of films and analyzing the storytelling, cinematography, editing, and sound design can help you understand what works and why. Plus, quoting a line from a classic movie can be a fun ice breaker on set.
When I was in your shoes, I volunteered for different projects, joined Women in Film, interned at various agencies and production houses, and always sought opportunities to collaborate with others. These experiences helped me gain knowledge and confidence.
Remember, every project, no matter how small, is an opportunity to learn. Continue to experiment, stay inquisitive, and don't fear making mistakes. After all, mistakes are stepping stones to learning and growth. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Michelle’s Answer
I can tell you some stories that will cause a bit of a chuckle about this. I began acting in the olden days when the requirements were smoothly accomplished by auditioning in person, mail, telephone and hard copy photos and resumes. I transferred to a "normal job" and then when I returned to acting in 2018, wow, was I surprised at the great changes in the industry. I had to make some big adjustments.
I began a gig in 2018 on site which turned to remote using Zoom in 2021. I was used to only corporate remote internet based conferences with the sound coming from my desk phone. I had no idea how to use Zoom. So it's the first day we're doing this remote, all the actors and our Director are on Zoom for a meeting prior to performance and I can't hear ANYONE. I was like, what the ? I felt so funny. Then I noticed, hmmm, everyone has head/ear phones on, so I grabbed my ear phones and plugged them into the monitor and was good to go. I felt weird but it's kind of funny. So, I have to say that doing Zoom, a video experience, really made me conscious to be aware of more film/video style acting.
Another story which is from back in 1982 is when I was chosen for an industrial film as a Theatre Major. The Director was a Film Major working for a company. He cast Theatre Majors, myself and another actress as the leads. The filming was in a hospital and we played nurses. After everything was done, the Director had called us and said, we have to shoot the whole film over, you guys were too broad. The other actress and I were too used to theatrical acting and we never had a film acting class. So with great direction, we did the entire film over, toned down and ready for post-production. Let me tell you the huge lesson I learned from that experience !
So, after I graduated college and moved to Hollywood, I took a film acting class and that greatly taught me so much. Starting out, you seem to have had much more experience than I did starting out with your video production involvement. I wouldn't worry about the volume of experience just yet, you're just beginning and there will be a lot more projects you'll work on. Learning digital video and photography is perplexing - for me, too ! It's all a matter of experimenting and seeing what works and watching How To videos (best on You Tube).
You can prepare some UGC (User Generated Content) auditions to send out for some work remotely. I obtained a commercial that way in 2020. Read the casting notices at the casting agency sites and these are usually for commercials, product reviews or any other projects. Sites like Backstage and Direct Submit carry UGC casting notices and accept submission worldwide. See if you can take a film acting class in your community if one is not offered at your school.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best on a most awesome journey !
Annaleigh’s Answer
Starting in film can be both exciting and daunting, but it sounds like you’re on the right track with your Sony A100! Begin by experimenting with your camera; take time to learn its settings and features while shooting various subjects—landscapes, people, and everyday moments—to develop your eye for composition. Creating short films or video projects, even if they’re just a few minutes long, will help you apply what you’ve learned and get comfortable with storytelling, editing, and the entire filmmaking process.
Joining a community is also beneficial; look for local film clubs, workshops, or online forums where you can connect with other aspiring filmmakers, as collaboration and feedback can be invaluable. Additionally, study films critically—analyze what works and what doesn’t—and read books and articles about filmmaking techniques and theory to deepen your understanding. Volunteering on student films or independent projects can provide hands-on experience and help you build a network in the industry. One of my first stepping stones was making short films with friends and participating in local film competitions, which helped me learn quickly and fostered my passion for storytelling. Remember, every project is a learning opportunity, so embrace the process! And best of luck!
Jie’s Answer
Yes, filmmaking is an industry, and becoming a filmmaker is a great challenge that requires thorough preparation. Here are some essential tips:
Master Film Language: The first knowledge you should acquire is the language of film. Understanding and organizing the elements of film language will enable you to craft a compelling story narrative.
Scriptwriting Skills: To convey the meaning you want, you should learn scriptwriting. Understand the nature of conflicts and their resolutions to create dramatic tension.
With a solid grasp of film language and scriptwriting, you can make short feature films with your camera. Practicing your skills in real projects will help you grow as a filmmaker.
wish you bring all your creative visions to life.
Jenny’s Answer
This is a great question and all the answers on here are pretty spot on. It sounds like you're doing all the right things, but you want to do more- to me the answer lies in your question.
Are there people you can collaborate with? Screenwriters, fellow camera/directors at your school? I'd bet that if you were to ask around there are plenty of people who would say yes. Or maybe if you prefer to work on a more personal project, you can create a poster and post about it on your schools bulletin board and see if there are people who want to help you bring that to life too?
The theme I'm getting here is by collaborating with people, it can be a rewarding experience to work on something that's worthwhile to you and get you to your goals faster by also learning from others. Networking is a biggie in this industry to by collaborating you're also giving yourself more opportunity in the long run.
I also agree with one answer where you don't need to overthink tech here, if you've got a smartphone into your productions (both for ease and maybe adding a different style) the possibilities are endless.
All in all, there are a lot of ways to approach this so take your time thinking and planning on the kind of productions you want to be working on and most importantly, have fun along the way. Best of luck and please give us an update on your progress :)
Garrett John’s Answer
Yingna’s Answer
The first stepping stones, I think would be:
watch more films, find the ones that you truly like.
Start filming life around you, anything that interest you. That's when a cell phone comes convenient.
Take stills as well, feel the power of visuals
Filmmaking is really about storytelling. observe more, think more