Personal Observations
(c) Peter D. Marshall
I’ve been working in the film and TV industry for over 39
years and during that time I’ve had many young filmmakers ask
me these same five questions:
1. How do I get into the film and television business?
2. How do I get people to notice my “obvious talents”?
3. How do I become a Producer, Director, 1st AD?
4. What are the tricks to working and surviving in this business?
5. How do I become successful?
Well, as you have probably guessed by now from your own
experiences, there is no right answer Рno one answer – no
special secret! Yes…we all need to find our own way in.
But to guide you along the right path, I’ve come up with ten
“factors” that I believe you need to have, learn or nurture to
help you pursue your dream of working (and making a living) in
this business:
1. Experience (Make videos; go to film school; work for free)
2. Luck (Being at the right place at the right time)
3. Connections (Who you know)
4. Passion (If you don’t have this, give up now)
5. Determination (Believe in yourself)
6. Creativity (We are all born with a special gift. What’s
yours?)
7. Business (Learn the steps on how to run a business)
8. Marketing (Learn how to market and promote yourself)
9. Politics (Understand the “unspoken rules” of the film
world)
10. Win the lottery (Or have a rich relative)
So what does all of this have to do with being a successful
filmmaker? Everything – because I believe that to be successful
in this business means:
1. You have to have an understanding of the politics of film!
2. You have to have a knowledge of who the power players are
and how to deal with them.
3. You need to know as much as you can about everyone else’s
job.
4. You need to have a knowledge of your craft.
5. You need to know what is expected of you when you begin
pre-production and when you step on the set.
6. But most of all, you have to have PASSION! (Because some
days that may be the only thing that will keep you going.)
And remember what Frank Capra said: “There are no rules in
filmmaking. Only sins!”
Please keep in mind that as you advance in your filmmaking
career, you will always discover what works best for others.
But then – and this is the important part – you must find out
what works best for you.
Good luck 🙂
Copyright (c) 2012 Peter D. Marshall / All Rights Reserved
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