Money is always an issues, whatever you do in life. This applies to filmmaking as well. When I started to make films, I did a lot of free and low budget stuff. It’s important that you do those things. But how do you take the next step? How do you double your daily rate?

In these episode below, I go through different things I’ve done to raise my daily rate and value.

As a director in the film industry, I've had the privilege of attending numerous speaking engagements and industry events where I've had the opportunity to listen to and learn from some of the brightest minds in the business. One particular speaker left a lasting impression on me as they emphasized the significance of networking and relationships in obtaining a job in our industry. Today, I want to share with you some key takeaways from that talk and how they have shaped my own career. First and foremost, I've learned that focusing on showcasing my existing work is more effective than constantly pitching ideas. Building a portfolio that demonstrates my skills and creative vision has been crucial in making a stronger impression on potential employers. By having a body of work readily available, I can show them what I'm capable of and stand out among the competition. Additionally, I cannot stress enough the importance of building relationships within the industry. Being someone whom others want to work with has opened countless doors for me. By being nice, understanding, and flexible in my interactions with colleagues and collaborators, I've fostered positive relationships that have led to recommendations for future projects. This network of trusted contacts has proven invaluable throughout my career. Another valuable insight I gained is the need to consistently improve with each project. Over-delivering and striving for excellence in everything I do has generated positive word-of-mouth recommendations and increased my opportunities. By setting high standards for myself and surpassing expectations, I've built a reputation for going above and beyond, which has opened doors to new and exciting projects. In addition to striving for excellence, I've also learned the importance of being assertive enough to turn down projects that don't align with my personal beliefs and artistic vision. While it may be tempting to accept any work that comes my way, doing so can lead to being pigeonholed into projects that don't resonate with me. By selectively choosing projects that align with my interests and values, I've attracted more meaningful work and established myself as an artist true to my own vision. Lastly, I cannot ignore the power of social media in maintaining visibility and developing a personal brand. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter have become essential tools for filmmakers to showcase their work and personal style. By consistently sharing content that reflects my artistic vision, I've been able to connect with like-minded individuals and broaden my professional networks. Social media has truly revolutionized the way we connect with potential collaborators, industry professionals, and audiences worldwide. In conclusion, building lasting relationships and a professional network is an essential step in gaining meaningful employment in our industry. Maintaining a professional attitude and being easy to work with can improve our industry reputation and increase job opportunities. Over-delivering, continually striving for excellence, and outperforming our own expectations is key to word-of-mouth recommendations and career progression. Being assertive enough to turn down projects that don't align with our personal beliefs and artistic vision can boost our reputability and attract more meaningful work. Finally, utilizing social media and other digital platforms to showcase our work and personal style can enhance our visibility and broaden our professional networks. As I reflect on these valuable insights that have shaped my own career, I am reminded of the importance of continuous learning and growth in our careers as filmmakers. By implementing these strategies into my own work, I have seen firsthand how they have positively influenced my professional journey. I encourage you to take these lessons to heart and apply them to your own career aspirations. Together, we can navigate the dynamic world of filmmaking and create meaningful and impactful stories that resonate with audiences around the globe.