Teach Yourself Filmmaking

There's always more to learn.

There are ways to write a better script. You can raise more money with a little more knowledge. Gear is always getting easier - which means more to learn before the "easy" part kicks in.

Don't make the mistake and think that by completing a course or receiving a degree means you're finished learning. The real learning begins once you have some knowledge grow from.

How to Teach Yourself Filmmaking from DSLRguide on Vimeo.

As the video describes, learning the art of storytelling and filmmaking can be compared to learning math from a text book. Inside the text book you can see the possibilities of what math can do. The book lays out that information for you. You may not understand it entirely (or at all) but the text book shows you what is possible with math.

By watching films you can see what is possible with filmmaking and storytelling. Each film you watch is like a textbook trying to teach you. By watching films you learn what you like and what you don't like. You see how people approached the film. You can imagine how you might open the movie with a different scene. You can begin to construct a film in your mind simply by watching another film.

But when you go out and actually try to shoot your own film you quickly realize that it's much harder than it looks. So you push your abilities to the limit to get things done. You learn where you need improvement. And you set out to do better the next time.

This cycle repeats itself for every filmmaker or artist or craftsman or athlete or anyone who desires to improve.

So much more can be learned just from being around other filmmakers. Learning from their stories and their mistakes can help you avoid problems you may never have seen coming.

Teachers are everywhere if you want to learn.

However...

ABOVE ALL, BE HUMAN

If you are spending all of your time making films, watching films and talking to other filmmakers, you may be missing out on something pretty important.

One of the best qualities a filmmaker can have is to be in touch with the real world. How can you understand your stories and your films if you don't understand the audience that sees them or the people in them? How is your story going to be "real" if you aren't part of what is going on around you.

So...

Take a break. Take part in life. Study as needed but don't forget to be a part of your community.