Danny Gevirtz Wise Words For Filmmakers

Danny Gevirtz is a dedicated filmmaker committed to his craft. Breaking away from trends, he focuses on genuine emotion and individual perspective. His YouTube channel has inspired millions, including myself. With a feature film under his belt, I think he’s someone to pay attention to and seek wisdom from. Thankfully, today’s video offers some wonderful nuggets of wisdom.

Ok yeah, I’m cheating a bit this time by just going off of what Danny already said, but I will expound on my thoughts for each point. Here’s Danny’s video, which I highly recommend watching.

Not every film you make needs to change the world.

A film can fall under the category of, “That was fun.”

A lot of filmmakers, including myself, want to make that one piece of art that keeps people up at night and changes viewpoints, but unfortunately most of the time people’s reactions will just be, “Nice!” or “That was pretty cool.”

And guess what… that’s perfectly fine. The fact that ANYONE watches your film or consumes your piece of art is nothing short of amazing. Someone took time out of their day to watch something YOU made. That is an achievement in and of itself. Social media has ruined our perception of an audience size. Yeah, getting thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of views is incredible, but check this out. If you get 100 views on YouTube with your film, THAT’S AMAZING!! What an accomplishment.

If 100 people showed up in a movie theater to watch my film I would lose my mind.

Making stuff is hard…

I don’t think this is a revolutionary thought, but making films is really tough. If you simply make a film or any piece of art for that matter. You should celebrate.

It’s easy to see Marvel films crank out billion-dollar movies like it’s no big deal, but the fact remains, that making films is difficult. No way around it. Even a crappy film takes a lot of effort to make. It can take years off of your life, and it can often be thankless.

My ultimate goal is to create a full-length movie that captivates audiences with its storytelling and cinematography, despite knowing the numerous hurdles that may come my way. These obstacles include enduring long days of filming, navigating through financial constraints, and being prepared for unexpected inconveniences such as weather disruptions, and the unpredictable presence of noisy pets in the background. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the pursuit of this dream is entirely worthwhile, as it holds the potential to inspire, entertain, and leave a lasting impression on viewers.

Make films alone.

Make something for no one else other than yourself.

Make something that ignites that old flame. Something that makes you feel alive. Even if it’s just a boring shot of a tree. Film your grandpa talking about his first date. Film your friend eating an apple and being happy. Film something.

When I began my filmmaking journey, I was discouraged by how little anyone in my hometown cared about it. Sure, I had some friends join in with me, but it was purely for the enjoyment of hanging out with each other. The filmmaking part? Keep creating and eventually, you’ll find your circle.

Don’t worry about putting it in film festivals or getting awards. Just do.

Make films you want to see.

Some people treat film like it’s a job, and you have to do something because it’s trendy or someone told you to do it. Truth is, a majority of the most impactful art I’ve ever seen never followed a trend or followed the path most taken. It may have looked familiar or like something I’d already seen, but it was beautiful because it came from a specific voice.

Make the film you want to see come alive.

Communicate a feeling.

When crafting your story, take a moment to ponder: How do I want the audience viewing this piece to feel? Consider the most effective way to encapsulate that emotion within the narrative. Ensuring that your audience is left with a profound emotion will undoubtedly result in an impactful film that’s worth remembering.

When creating your story, it's important to consider the emotions you want to convey to your audience. Think about how you want people to feel while watching your film. This goes beyond the plot and visuals; it's about connecting through emotions. Explore how to capture specific emotions in your story, such as joy, sadness, excitement, or contemplation. Consider the pacing, tone, and character relationships that contribute to the emotional impact.

Ensuring that your audience feels strong emotions after watching your film will make it more memorable and meaningful. Creating an immersive experience that resonates with the audience is key to powerful storytelling. It's also important to work with people you enjoy and who support you. Building strong relationships with your collaborators can make the filmmaking process more enjoyable and lead to better results.

Again, make films YOU want to make.

If you want to quit filmmaking… that’s natural.

If you haven’t thought about this at least once, then consider yourself lucky. Since I moved to Atlanta to pursue my dreams in filmmaking in 2019, I have thought about quitting and moving back in with my parents at least a handful of times. It’s ok! It’s just a season. Just keep pushing and eventually, you’ll see the light.

Thank you Danny for these wise words of encouragement. Keep at it, everyone! Only the strong survive this crazy world.