30 Game-Changing Lessons Every Filmmaker Should Know: What I Wish I Learned Sooner
Photo by: Joe Funk Photography
I’ve been behind a camera since I was 13, but it wasn’t until I turned 25 that I truly committed to the craft. Now, five years later, I’ve learned more than I ever imagined. Here’s a collection of lessons, hard-won through trial and error, that I hope will guide you on your own filmmaking journey. These lessons aren’t just theory—they’re insights from the trenches, designed to save you time, money, and sanity.
If something resonates with you, take it. If something doesn’t, leave it.
Equipment Matters, But Timing Matters More While starting out, your focus should be on storytelling and creativity. But as you progress, especially when working with high-end clients, the right gear can elevate your work to the next level. The further you get, the more you’ll realize how important gear can be, but only once you reach that threshold. Keep going!
Invest in Storage Early Get hard drives, archives, a server—anything that will let you safely store and back up your footage. Make multiple copies and do it as early as possible. Trust me, this will save you from potential nightmares down the road. Look into reliable storage solutions like NAS systems or cloud-based backups.
Don’t Hoard Footage I used to hoard footage, thinking I’d use it someday. But be realistic—most of it will never see the light of day. Prioritize what’s truly valuable. After you’ve delivered the final product, delete the raw footage once you have your client’s approval. Storage is expensive, and there’s no need to hold onto everything forever.
Diversity in Equipment is Key Diversifying your gear ensures you’re not dependent on one brand, giving you flexibility and creative freedom in different shooting scenarios. Try not to lock yourself into one brand or lens mount. None of my lenses match, and not a lot of my equipment matches either. It’s important to some people, but for me, not really.
Audio is More Than Half the Battle Bad video with good audio is watchable. Good video with bad audio? Not so much. Prioritize audio in your projects. Invest in quality microphones and work with a skilled sound designer to ensure your audio is top-notch.
Avoid Overusing Gimbals Gimbals are great, but overuse can make your work feel mechanical. Consider the story and emotion of each shot—sometimes a handheld or tripod shot conveys more authenticity. Ask yourself if those smooth shots fit the vibe of the project. Talk to the director about the vision.
Match the Effort of Your Director Adapt to the director's style—whether high-energy or laid-back—to create a harmonious working environment. If your director is a high-energy cheerleader type, you don’t necessarily have to be doing jumping jacks with them but definitely try not to be a Ben Stein when communicating with them. Bueller?
Don’t Stress Over Broken Gear Treat broken gear as a learning experience. What matters most is your skill and creativity, not the tools. I dropped my FX3 down a flight of stairs and miraculously, it survived. I had a panic attack, but in the end, these are tools, and ultimately, you are more important than a piece of gear.
Collaborate with Other Filmmakers Collaboration opens doors to new opportunities and ideas you might not have explored on your own. Don’t work in isolation. Get to know other filmmakers, and share ideas, and when you land those big projects, you’ll already have a network to pull from. Find a community you vibe with and go all in on being a part of it.
Separate Your Business Finances Filmmaking is a business. Open a separate business account and manage your income and expenses properly. Consider using financial tools or apps to help manage your business finances effectively.
Outreach is Key, Even When Busy Consistency is key in this industry. Keep your name out there, even when you’re swamped—it’s the secret to sustaining long-term success. Always be on the lookout for new projects, even when your calendar is full.
Cinema Lenses Aren’t Always the Answer Don’t let the allure of cinema lenses distract you. Sometimes, practicality and ease of use, like autofocus, are more important. If you’re a solo filmmaker or part of a small crew, sometimes autofocus lenses can deliver better results.
Invest in a Good Tripod A solid tripod is a game-changer. It stabilizes your shots and gives you the confidence to experiment with camera movements. Get one with a fluid head and make sure it can support the weight of your camera.
Focus on Skills That Improve Every Video Mastering color grading, composition, and storytelling can elevate every project you work on. Prioritize learning these over buying niche gear that only gets occasional use.
Don’t Overload Yourself with Big Cameras Efficiency is key. A lighter setup can keep you agile, allowing you to focus on creativity rather than managing heavy gear. If you go big, make sure you have the right support gear, like an Easy Rig.
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others Focus on your unique journey and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Social media can make it seem like everyone else is landing bigger and better projects, but remember—they’re dealing with the same challenges you are.
Niche Down, But Stay Open Specializing gives you an edge, but don’t box yourself in. The most fulfilling projects often come from unexpected places. Try an energy drink product shoot. Try a narrative film. EXPERIMENT.
YouTube is a Goldmine YouTube is a masterclass in filmmaking. Watch tutorials, breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes content to continuously sharpen your skills. Watch a variety of creators, even those you disagree with, to broaden your perspective.
Always Have Enough Memory Cards and Batteries Overprepare for every shoot. Running out of storage or power can halt a production and damage your professional reputation. Be prepared for long shoots—if you run out of these things, the shoot will immediately be over.
Know Your Gear Inside and Out Familiarity with your gear is non-negotiable. Practice until using it becomes second nature, so you can focus entirely on the creative process. Make films in your backyard and with your friends. TRY YOUR BEST TO NEVER TEST OUT A PIECE OF GEAR ON THE DAY OF A SHOOT.
Take Breaks When Editing Stepping away from the screen can give you a fresh perspective. It’s amazing what a break can do for your creativity and productivity. If you’re stuck in an endless cycle of revisions, step away from the project for a day or two.
Impress with Your Setup Presentation matters. A well-organized setup shows professionalism and can boost client confidence in your work. Even if you don’t need all your gear on set, set it up anyway.
Specialize to Earn More In this industry, specialization often equals higher pay. Aim to become the go-to expert in a niche while maintaining versatility. In my experience, if you are the audio guy, videographer, director, drone pilot, gaffer, producer, etc., you are going to get paid less.
Edit Your Own Footage Editing your footage sharpens your skills and gives you insight into your strengths and areas for improvement. Even if you’re not the project’s editor, take time to edit your own footage.
Feedback Reveals Flaws Seek feedback from peers and mentors. It’s often in those ‘explaining’ moments that you discover where your work needs improvement. When showing your work to others, listen to what you feel compelled to explain or apologize for.
Remember: It’s Not About You Always keep the client’s needs and the project’s goals front and center. Your work is a service, and your success is tied to meeting those expectations.
Stay Hydrated and Well-Fed Your health directly impacts your performance. Don’t neglect the basics—stay hydrated and nourished to keep your energy and focus sharp. Depriving yourself of these basics is not noble and will only make things harder on yourself.
Carry a Multi-Tool A multi-tool is your best friend on set. It can solve problems you didn’t even know you’d encounter. I love the Smallrig multi-tool—I have three of them scattered throughout my bags and in my office.
Expect the Unexpected Embrace the chaos of filmmaking. The best filmmakers are those who can adapt on the fly without losing their cool. Filmmaking is like boxing—if you get punched, don’t flinch. Keep going.
Remember the Basics: Camera, Lens, Battery, and Cards As long as you have these essentials, you can make it work. Everything else is just a bonus.
