Skills Filmmakers Need – Thinking you have what it takes to be successful in the film industry?
If you think you have what it takes to compete in the highly competitive world of filmmaking, I have some bad news for you: it won’t be as easy as you think. However, if you have the will and drive to succeed in the filmmaking profession, there are specific film skills that you can work on on a daily basis to boost your chances of a successful career in the field.
You’ll need to master specific cinematic talents to climb to the top of the filmmaking game if you want to be an extraordinary filmmaker. You’ll need a creative side, a knack for telling stories, and the patience to ride out the ups and downs of the profession.
Additionally, you will need hands-on skills to handle the technical components of any position on a film set, as well as the ability to communicate and lead by example, which is the most crucial skill of all.
The best part about all of these abilities is that you can enhance them all over time. This post is for any filmmaker who wants to develop their filmmaking talents in order to be the best they can be in the profession.
5 Best Skills Filmmakers Need To Be Successful In The Film Industry
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Your Creative Side
Filmmakers Require a Specific Set of Skills – If you’ve seen any of Christopher Nolan’s films, including Memento, Interstellar, Dunkirk, and Inception, you’ll notice that each one is uniquely creative. Your ability to be creative is critical to your filmmaking success.
Thinking outside the box and being different from others will set you apart in terms of your creative achievement! Don’t allow any film school professor tell you that the way movies have been made since the beginning is the only way to make movies. That is why they are educators rather than filmmakers.
If you’re concerned about your creative abilities and fear that you won’t be able to compete with the likes of Christopher Nolan and David Fincher, don’t be. This is a skill that you can develop with time.
Learning from the experts in the field of filmmaking has proven to be effective for me in terms of boosting my creative side. I research each director by seeing their films and watching youtube vids that describe why they are so unique. This helps me grasp what works in these filmmakers’ films to set them apart from others, as well as what I would change if I were in their shoes.
Like what Quentin Tarantino has said, “I steal from every single movie ever made.” “Great artists steal. They don’t do homages.“
Related Article: How To Become A Film Director – 7 Tips For Success
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Storytelling Skill
Filmmakers Require a Specific Set of Skills – Do you have a knack for telling stories?
Are you able to hold the attention of everyone around you at a social gathering by telling stories? Being able to tell a fantastic tale is a crucial aspect of being a great filmmaker.
Great filmmakers are able to communicate their vision to the general public. You need to be able to communicate effectively to bring the tale to life, whether it’s with the producers you’re pitching to, the film crew on site, or the actors who are bringing your vision to life!
Do you have a narrative or an idea that just needs to be written down so that it can be viewed on the screen? Then you’ll need to learn how to write a terrific script with a strong beginning, middle, and end, as well as a compelling character arc.
Are you concerned that you lack the necessary skills? Don’t worry; every tale I write has me struggling to translate my vision into a screenplay.
What has worked for me? First, screenwriting books from the film industry best helps a lot.
There are three screenwriting books I use every time I have a story.
- Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need – by Blake Snyder
- Story: Style, Structure, Substance, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
- The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler.
These books are the tools that every screenwriter I know has in his/her back pocket when they need inspiration.
Related Article: The Best Screenwriting Books On Amazon
Communication & Networking Skills
Skills Filmmakers Need – Communication is one of the most fundamental filmmaking abilities you’ll need to succeed as a filmmaker.
On a movie set, there will be a lot of people racing around, all trying to get the work done. Being a good communicator will not only help you understand your position on set, but it will also help you stand out.
When I’m on set, no matter what character I’m playing, I make every effort to communicate with everyone I can.
I keep a safe distance from the director, performers, and producers on set since they must remain concentrated at all times, but if you are personable and have excellent communication skills, you may be given opportunities you never imagined. When it comes to being a great filmmaker, communication skills are equally as vital as creativity skills.
Onset Experience
Skills Filmmakers Need – Whatever path you choose on this great adventure of filmmaking, every filmmaker must improve his or her technical skills in order to become a better filmmaker. While technical abilities can be enhanced on the set on a daily basis, understanding the duties and technical knowledge required for each function can help you become a better filmmaker.
For example, I worked as a production assistant on a film a few years back where each take was marked with a confetti cannon. Before the following take, I had to pick up every piece of confetti on the set and make sure it was clean.
The skill I gained as a production assistant was to be careful of the people around you, no matter how you want the shot done because they are the ones who will have to clean up after you.
Another thing I wanted to add is, start making films now! This way you can learn every role on the set because you will be wearing multiple hats during production.
Related Article: 10 Important Tips for Directing Actors – How To Direct Actors
Determination To Succeed
Skills Filmmakers Need – I understand that all of the talents required for filmmaking that I have described thus far are critical for a successful film career, but there is one skill that every filmmaker must possess in order to reach the top of the industry: perseverance!
Why? Because working in the film industry is a rigorous and stressful job. The film industry is like a roller coaster; one minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’ve plummeted to depths you never imagined.
“The harder I practice, the luckier I get.” — Gary Player
To be successful in the film industry you need to put in the work, as it will not happen overnight, and you will have setbacks along the way.
“All overnight successes take ten years.” — Jeff Bezos
Just remember you are in it to win it!
Conclusion
Do you think you have the skills filmmakers need to be successful in the film world?
If you don’t feel that you are not ready yet, don’t worry as there are so many things that can help you to get you where you need to be.
Just remember that all you need is some creativity, and ability to tell a story, some knowledge of roles on a film set, and some perseverance, and you will be holding an Oscar in no time.
And that’s a wrap folks, I hope you enjoyed this filmmaking guide.
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About the author: Trent (IMDB | Youtube) has spent 10+ years working on an assortment of film and television projects. He writes about his experiences to help (and amuse) others. If he’s not working, he’s either traveling, reading or writing about travel/film, or planning travel/film projects.
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