First Step to a Successful Film Career

You and I both know that this year has been very strange for those of us who are used to making our own films

Suddenly everything was up in the air, and you might have found yourself going back to old habits

Maybe you went back to self-funding this year, or launched a crowdfunding campaign when you swore you’d never run another one

Whatever it is, there have been a lot of stop-starts, and a lot more obstacles to contend with

Which is why today I’m so excited to be breaking down the first step to a successful full-time film career, so you can focus on making the projects I know you’ve been dying to get into production for the last 18 months

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So what exactly do we mean by a successful full-time film career?

It means being able to make your films, whenever you want, whilst getting paid for your time & talent

If you’ve been squeezing your own projects in between part-time jobs or a 9-5 and are tired of treating your filmmaking like a hobby, this is the first step you’re going to need

Before we dive in, I have to make it clear that it doesn’t matter how much experience you have (or don’t have)

It’s so easy for us to talk ourselves out of opportunities or growth, because we don’t think we have enough credits or enough experience

As long as you know that this is what you want, you’re ready

Now that’s covered, let’s break this down

Your Unique Brilliance

The very first step on your journey to making your own films, whenever you want, and getting paid for your time and talent is to get crystal clear on what sets you apart

As a writer, director, actor, producer – or combination of the above – what is it that makes you different?

Take a minute to think about it

It doesn’t have to be crazy or huge. It just has to be one clear, simple reason why you are unique as a filmmaker

Read more: How to Find Your Filmmaking Niche

With any filmmaker you love, you likely know what it is that makes them different, right?

Greta Gerwig and Quentin Tarantino could be given exactly the same script – not that likely, but go with me, it’s just an example – and they’d end up with two entirely different films

This is because what they bring to a project is so different, and so uniquely them

Make sense?

This is what we need to get crystal clear on for you

Uncovering Your Unique Brilliance

When I’m getting to know my clients, I figure this out by asking them what their favourite films are

The stories you’re drawn to is usually the best indicator of what makes you unique

Personally, I love Jane Eyre, Testament of Youth, Gone With The Wind – all these big, period drama adaptations

But that’s not totally unique to me. There are plenty of producers making films like that

So we have to drill down into it a bit more

The Emotional Level

What’s at the heart of these stories? What links them all on a deeper, emotional level?

For me, everything I love centres around a dreamer who dares to do things differently

That is my unique perspective that I bring to every project

Now you need to get clear on yours, so that you stand out from the hundreds of other filmmakers – in the best way possible – as well as calling the right collaborators in to you

Read more: 6 Steps to Rebuild Your Network

When you know that your thing is dreamers daring to do things differently, you start to connect with people interested in the same things

From that, a beautiful filmmaking partnership is often born, allowing you to make more projects without that feeling of trying to ‘sell yourself’ or please everyone

The projects you love get picked up, and you get paid for your time and talent whilst being 100% authentic and true to yourself

This is the real foundation of a successful, full-time film career

Cool? Okay. Any questions, feel free to share them in the comments and when you know what your unique brilliance is, tell me. I would love to know