5 tips to Making Filmmaking your Full-time Job

Today I wanted to take sometime and talk about some tips of how you can make full-time living creating videos. This is a question that I always run into through Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, emails and just through in person conversations. People are wanting to know how to fully take on filmmaking and make a good living supporting themselves and hopefully their family down the road.

I first started as a photographer back in high school when I discovered instagram and basically had some friends that were fully immersed in creating THE next big instagram photo that’s going to get likes. Through that I got to learn how to take photos on my iPhone and edit them through the VSCO app, then post on instagram. That led me to stealing my parents Canon SL1 and using the generic lens to take photos of everything. As I posted more photos more people noticed my work and I began to shoot for more brands and artists. My following grew but I felt like I had more to learn. So while I was majoring in programming, I started making videos my sophomore year in college. As I shot more videos and posted more of my work, my video business continued to grow. I knew that I didn’t want to be a programmer so I switched my major to film production and start taking more film courses. Now another querstion I get is film school worth it. Well, I’m flattered that you ask because I already have a video posted about and it’s right here. For me, where I learned the most and received the most experience was just by going out and shooting my own projects.

So here are 5 pieces of advice that I can give you about making filmmaking or videography your full-time job:

Shoot as much as you can.

Don’t always get caught up in if the gig is paid or not. Just try to get your hands in as many projects as possible because the more you show your face and more you create, there’s a higher chance of you receiving more opportunities. Guys I’ve shot a ton of low budget projects in my time as a videographer, but my focus has been to grow my own reel and portfolio. You gotta put in your hours, not saying that I have put all my hours, I’m still putting my hours in. Most of my big projects have come through word of mouth and connections. It’s rarely been from a random person on social media. It’s always a friend of a friend who knew a friend that recommended me.

Grow your connections.

Have meetings with people that you want to work with. Even if it means you have to do some free work to establish trust. A lot of times the favor comes back around and you end up working on another job that pays. And it keeps growing. The more people of you and your work, the more work you’re going to get.

Build a reel and your website.

As a videographer or filmmaker, whichever means the most to you, you need to have a solid reel. Your reel is essentially a combination of your best projects. It’s a short snippet of all your portfolio. Now where do you put your reel on. Your freaking website you dingus! Make sure your website looks solid and professional because that’s where people are going to see the work that you’ve done. 

Reach out constantly.

I’m preaching to myself RIGHT now. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been able to get work through just reaching out and letting people that I’m willing to work. If I met someone at some event or through a friend, I just sent them an email saying “Hey here’s my website, my reel, Let me know if you ever need help with any projects. it’d be great if we could work on something together! Also I’m broke and really need this opportunity. Please?” Maybe disregard the last part of that. 

Be efficient.

Efficiency matters so much. Again preaching to the choir Mika! With every project you need to be efficient with pre production, production, or post. If you’re not being efficient, you will end up losing a client and they will not come back to you. I have made this mistake over and over again, and unfortunately very few people are willing to give you a second chance. Now if you are being professional and efficient, trust me clients will come back to you and give you more work. Just gotta be patient with the process. When you do a project, give it your all and get it right back to the client. Because if you produce something quicker and in better quality, guess who they’re going to go with. Not you. Just kidding. Of course you! They’ll go with you every time!

Well I hope that this article has served its purpose for you guys. I’ve tried to sum up all my knowledge and give right to you. Work hard, make sure you get sleep and that you’re rested, and get back at it. If this blog has been helpful please share and also subscribe to my Youtube, it helps with the algorithm and getting it discovered! See you soon.