DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING IS A TOUGH BUSINESS.

YOU HAVE TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE HOURS ARE LONG AND THE PAY IS LOW.

BUT I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS, AND I LOVE IT.

BUT IN THIS VIDEO, I SHARE MY SECRET MASTERPLAN TO DITCH THE DOCUMENTARY FILM INDUSTRY AND FIND SUCCESS ON MY OWN TERMS.

TELLING STORIES YOU BELIVE IN

In the dynamic world of filmmaking, it's crucial to prioritize your own creative fulfillment while building a successful career. In the video and blog post, I'll delve into the significance of telling stories you believe in, the importance of self-service for long-term success, and the necessity of maintaining unwavering passion for your craft. I'll also explore the delicate balance between embracing constructive friction and staying committed to your vision, even in the face of criticism. So how do you make an excellent documentary? This is stuff you need to think about.

1. Telling Stories You Believe In: At the core of every great filmmaker lies the desire to share meaningful stories that resonate with their audience—the immense importance of aligning your work with your values and beliefs.
   By focusing on stories that ignite your passion and reflect your authentic voice, you create work that is true to yourself and establish a connection with your viewers that goes beyond superficial storytelling.

2. Self-Service: The Key to Long-Term Success: While making a living from your filmmaking endeavors is essential, prioritizing self-service is equally vital for sustained career growth. Serving yourself first, ensuring your creative needs are met before catering solely to commercial interests. By nurturing your artistic development and maintaining a deep love for your work, you lay the foundation for a fulfilling and enduring career.

3. Embracing Constructive Friction and Protecting Your Love for Filmmaking: Friction can be both a catalyst for growth and a potential hindrance in filmmaking—the delicate balance between utilizing friction to evolve ideas and avoiding its detrimental effects on your passion. Staying true to your vision is crucial, even in the face of criticism or disapproval. Navigating through such challenges and protecting your love for filmmaking, ensuring that it remains a driving force throughout your career.

4. Sticking to Your Vision, Even in the Face of Opposition: As a filmmaker, it's common to encounter dissenting opinions or negative feedback. The significance of staying steadfast in your vision, embracing your unique perspective, and valuing your creative instincts. By honing your storytelling skills and standing firm in your convictions, you can create work that resonates deeply with your audience, even if it challenges conventional norms.

Crafting a fulfilling and successful filmmaking career requires more than just making a living. It entails telling stories you believe in, prioritizing self-service, and maintaining an unwavering love for your craft. One of the most essential parts of any unique storytelling is the necessity of serving yourself first. You need to stick to your vision despite opposition. Remember, your creativity is your most powerful tool, and by embracing it entirely, you can create films that leave a lasting impact on yourself and your audience.

This is how you craft a fulfilling filmmaking career

1. Align with Your Values: Connect your work with your core beliefs and values for meaningful storytelling.

2. Prioritize Self-Service: Focus on personal growth and career sustainability by taking charge of your success.

3. Balance Constructive Friction: Embrace creative challenges while protecting your love for filmmaking.

4. Stick to Your Vision: Stay true to your artistic vision despite opposition.

5. Tell Stories You Believe In: Create a fulfilling career by prioritizing stories that resonate with you and your audience.

Remember this when one of your ideas gets rejected, but also that the industry’s gatekeepers are zombies. They mindlessly copy what works. Combining business with self-service is up to you; passion and authentic storytelling are critical to a successful and fulfilling filmmaking journey.