This is Why 90% of Filmmakers Don’t Succeed

How can filmmakers succeed in a highly competitive industry? There are plenty of factors that determine success in this business, but 90% of filmmakers out there are ignoring the basics - and it’s holding them back. In this video we’ll dive into dead 2 simple steps that will put you ahead of the pack.

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CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro
0:45 - The story of two filmmakers
2:50 - Why taking action is the only thing that matters
4:12 - Prove your interest by consistently doing projects
5:25 - Real world example
7:13 - My personal experience
8:16 - A word from out sponsor
9:26 - It’s not what you know, it’s who you know
11:31 - An example of my latest networking email
13:54 - Final thoughts

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IG: @lucforsyth (BTS content, but I’m TERRIBLE at DMs - sorry!)

[chrisjonesfilm]

When it comes to working in the film industry, I turn to my man Rocky for the most poignant quote out there: "The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward."

[winnow]

It was an honour to learn from Luc during our mentorship and his Youtube videos are full of gold nuggets...

1. Make work (good or bad, there are lessons in both)
2. Meet people/network
3. Emails, internal psychological battles and never giving up

No secret formula, just consistency and creative growth on a weekly basis!

- DUY LE

[JoeYatesAlaskanFilms]

I’m the second filmmaker. In college, I quit the film club - because they weren’t taking it seriously enough. Before I could afford a tripod, I won multiple filmmaking awards across the globe. Within three years from picking up a camera, I became a writer for PBS Kids, becoming a Producer for NatGeo, I am a professor at a university for Editing within Pr, and I now own my own filmmaking business. I am continuously busy. Probably too busy. I now live a comfortable life with a wonderful family.

[mottavisuals]

This is basicaly what I'm doing wrong and know I need to fix. I used to take little to no action, but thanks to some therapy and fear of the future I started taking more action and now I hava a couple of jobs under my belt and a short film. I needed this reminder, thank you.

[kip]

Your demonstration of networking correspondence is an absolute eye-opener. I'd probably have interpreted numerous months of silence to be a 'No' and wouldn't have wanted to pester them. Thanks for sharing such a personal/intimate aspect of your business.

[DarkDrake]

Damn man that email chain was a huge eye opener. I don't like to feel like I'm bothering people but I guess I should try a little harder in that sense. Thanks for sharing.

[laurensvanderveken]

There's also the fluctuating curve for artists/filmmakers.
I have done great stuff in the past, worked at a company as the in-house videoguy, making international flights to shoot for big companies.
And then covid happened.

Had to work from scratch again, and despite my resume, I have to prove myself all over again.
So did years of daytime jobs again, just to survive. But they were time-consuming.
I'm taking action now, but it's all still going very slowly (but steady). This video was a great call to stand up today, neverthless!

[GaryNuman-glmu]

Thanks for the video. It took me 4 years of extensive freelance work, 100+ emails, 100+ rejections before I actually got my first solid job offer.

[arowefilms]

Show don't tell is what got me ahead.. I would ask for tips and some folks replied many didn't and I just continued to work and put out projects. Won some fest here and there and some of those ppl who didn't respond started reaching out to me... And today I have a Emmy Award for my work and other cool trophies... And in development for Netflix doc... It is work. It is hard... And sometimes you are o ur way to giving up and the best calls in life will happen and sometimes the call never happens

[MrShanePhoto]

I think alot of people don't realise that being this type of film maker or an adventure documentary filmaker isn't a job its a lifestyle. Its your everything. I went to film school and myself and my peers have all gone different directions. We're 15 years graduated and the guy who's out there working the hardest is making the most money, creating incredible work and working 60+ hours a week. He travels allot and gets to spend very little time with his loved ones. But he loves it. I went a more commercial route and now work a 9-5 in creating content for marketing for a company. It suits me, my wife and kids. I'd love to be travelling around the world with a camera but it doesn't suit my family. I'm also very happy being home every night for dinner and bedtime. 😂

[adventurefilmclub]

The ability to just get out and make stuff is the exact reason I fell in love with filmmaking. The fact I can have a cool idea for a short film, and just a few months later it can be edited and up on Youtube or submitted to festivals, means there are no gatekeepers or hurdles. Yeah the initial outlay in equipment and computing power isn't cheap, but companies like Blackmagic and Apple making it cheaper every year. The key to success in filmmaking? Make stuff! And keep making it.

[theobianchini]

I've watched 2 of your videos including this one, since then I've been on a content creation grind doing what I wanted to do for so long. I have the gear, I have the ideas and even though it's not yielding results just yet, I keep on going out and filming. And it's normal to be impatient, everybody wants to be successful fast but you're right, that just doesn't happen.
So whenever I have doubts about my work, when I see that one video isn't having a lot of success or fighting the urge to compare myself to others, I come back to your channel, watch this video, and not only does it reassures me, it gives me motivation to create more.

So thank you, SO much.

[dr.gregoryf.maassen]

You make valid points. Everyone can buy a new camera, but few can produce content that speaks for itself, positively. It is hard work to produce quality content as it requires planning, initiative, money and time.

[teo__]

I don’t know in the States, but in Italy all the major players in cinema and television, as well as many small clients, seem to be only concerned in lowering costs. And they find wannabe videomakers at the rate they want. That’s why I’ve switched from 10 years working full time as editor on major productions for primetime shows, to do it as second job for small companies. I work less but for companies that look for quality, respect the professionality and pay higher rates. This way I can keep doing it while preserving my mental sanity.

[arminkorsos]

Probably one of your most important videos to date. Great content. I've been telling people this for a while, only thing you can do is take action, and that will put you SO far ahead of everyone else. That's the difference between Good and Great.

[HakimZziwaTips]

This is one of the most honest filmmaker advice I have come across on YT, it is usually a tough pill to swallow but yeah even if you gat it already, you still have to establish networks and working relationships. It is so good that you have shared yourself as the best example, very inspirational and I can relate 100%.
Thank you.

[brad_in_yyc]

It's smart to continually message them. Keeps you fresh in their mind when you're persistent. Same as interacting regularly on your socials with these people. Keeps you in people's minds. Great advice.

[JeffStonicShotIt.]

This is great. For every gear video I watch, I gotta balance with this reminder that it’s all about these principals of action.
Also, your videos are getting better, too - always we’re so helpful, but the more personality the better it all works. Two cents ya didn’t ask for/can disregard.

[Brian-Hansen]

Good stuff, Luc. Thanks for saying the things that need to be said. I completely agree, the number one thing stopping people is thinking that they need to wait to create stuff. Just do it. You learn by doing. Everyone has someone or something they can produce a story about.

[shady]

Luc dropping some serious knowledge. Met you during a pickup shoot in NY and have been following you since. Keep it up!