Ultimate Filmmaking Career Guide: step by step

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Friday Aug 16th 1PM ET.
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GEAR:

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Traditional filmmaking path
1:10 - Pros and cons of traditional path
2:14 - Film job path
2:57 - Film job pros and cons
3:43 - Don’t miss out on the Free Career Paths workshop
4:04 - Freelance path
4:48 - Retainer approach career path
5:58 - Content creator path
7:32 - Final thoughts

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[quemahoning]

I started a YouTube channel to promote my business, not to be a film maker. I only post about one video per year on my channel shot on a smart phone, but this has landed me a two year gig producing 20 short history docs with a substantial budget. The client paid for all of the video equipment and editing workstation. It has been a steep learning curve, but thanks to this channel, Luc Forcyth, and others I'm doing okay. I feel very fortunate for having this opportunity.

[adamernsterwildlife]

I have always loved wildlife. Ever since I can remember. I always had reptiles growing up, and would spend as much time in the ocean as I could. When I turned 18 is started working at a reptile shop. I would save all of my money I made from working to go whale watching in California. I slowly was able to afford my first camera. In college I would spend my days whale watching and honing my craft with a camera on any day I got off, instead of partying with my friends. I then worked on a whale watching boat for 5 years continuing to hone my craft and reaching out to as many wildlife camera men and women as I could. Last year I left that company and started my own small whale watching company with some buddies, while also going freelance as a cameraman. I was able to pick up a few monthly retainers to pay the bills, and recently sold a sequence to my dream client. I’m now getting some small grants to fund my own passion projects. It’s been a wild journey so far but I wouldn’t change a second of it for anything! Thanks for reading 🐋

[KevoOuta]

I went to campus to study economics, but in my third year, I bought my first camera to start photography. I was mainly doing conceptual portraits, then moved into food photography and shooting food videos for local restaurants.

After building my confidence and skills, I started doing video portraits, then slowly shifted my attention to making short documentaries of artists.

I am now currently working on my first feature-length documentary about myself and my creative journey, as a proof of concept of what I can do when entrusted with bigger projects.

[GriffinConway]

Great video.
My path: bought a used camera on Craigslist. Shot weddings, then switched to video. Learned a ton from Peter McKinnon/Matti, started shooting better videos and bigger commercials. Started sharing YouTube videos of my own. Started my own production company, and now we specialize in running Motocrane arm car and Inspire and have worked with many bigger clients like Ford, Motortrend, and Polaris. We also employ the retainer model to keep cash flow consistent between big jobs.

Thanks for sharing your videos Mark, they have been very helpful in my journey! Cheers!

[jahkeeli]

Path: Internship at ILM wanted to be a concept artist > met amazing mentors > left industry because of loss of love for art > bounced back with a move to LA looking for work > found a great gig doing storyboards and AE work > wanted to do more digital filmmaking decided to be a Previz artist > got a job on my first feature film > mentors I met at ILM helped me get a job working on star wars clone wars as a previz artist > laid off and freelanced around > landed at the same previz house again from my first film gig > left that gig to make my to Pixar where I'm in the camera and staging cinematography department. This path has had so many ups and downs. But the people we meet and connect with are so damn important. Would like to pivot into more live action but still trying to figure that out at the moment.

[OneTimeAtJakes]

Every time I get a little further toward starting my filmmaking career you release exactly the video I need. Hands down one of the most useful channels in the filmmaking space

[FilmshooterOH]

My path: (warning, I'm old) Started with Super-8 film in high school. Went to film schoot. Went back to film school for a masters (and shot two student feature films) Shot a period short which won me a regional Emmy. Moved to LA and shot a ton of indie features (30+ features), horror, drama, action, etc. Worked for the studios on a small scale. Move back to Ohio and got back into documentaries and just won another regional Emmy for a piece of the Underground Railroad and am starting another one on the same subject. Am I rich? Nope. I teach film on the side at a major midwest college and run my own production company. It's been a hellava ride.

[films.ap_]

I started recording and editing videos on my phone for a travel agency 4 years ago out of necessity, now I see filmaking as something that completes my life and that I’d love to study someday at AOD, everyday I get home from work and watch videos trying to learn how to make better videos and how to take better pictures, I got my Sony alpha6300 1 year ago and I just started recording artist from my city, taking pictures of them and I know someday this will be my main and only job, the future is uncertain but there is only thing I know and it is that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life, still trying to find my path, rigth now I think the freelance is the road I’m in, but really looking forward to make documentaries and even films someday… just trying to get better one day at a time, grinding over here in Latinoamérica.

Your videos really help me and inspire me Mark !

[daviddeclan]

I Started off as a Graphic designer, then bought my first camera and i got into photography and videography. Freelanced and still do till today, then i did a short course in cinematography/filmaking.
Building my business at the moment and hoping to get retainership from small businesses while i pursue my passion shooting documentaries.❤

[BryceDocherty]

I'm definitely in the freelance/business route. I film weddings and make my passion projects on the side. Recently, I have been able to shoot 2 films for Sonys Create Action Grant, which has been an amazing opportunity. My goal is to be a documentary cinematographer/director and work on projects I'm passionate about that can help change people's lives and make them feel seen. Thanks for all you do Mark!

[rosetofilms]

Started off at 11years old, making videos for my church. Canon XL1 and Avid Xpress Pro baby!
Got a "real job" as a nurse, learned a lot about humanity, but it wasn't my calling.
My brother started a production company, worked with him part time for years. 
He moved and I took all his old clients. Did corporate videos for years.
Pandemic hit, lost $60K first weeks, but found AOD.
Now I'm running a boutique content marketing agency based around storytelling strategy. 
Spending all of 2024 building a network, serving on chamber of commerce committees and now I'm a board member of the American Marketing Alliance PDX. Docs resume 2025...

[aftertenagency]

I started working part time at a local TV Station working in live TV and was eventually promoted to the Creative Services department where I started producing local TV Commercials. While I was working there I commuted to film school for three years, after graduation I quit my job and started a video production company to produce advertising client work, music videos, and social media content. I grew the client list and grinded for 10 years, and 4 years ago I started a full service visual branding agency with my Wife (graphic designer). It's been a loooong ride, but it feels like I started yesterday. Currently trying to find the time to start a YouTube channel, but I'm afraid I'd rather be behind the camera, and I'm too busy with work, lol. Love the content as always, thanks Mark.

[FlatlandFilmsLLC]

I was a struggling freelancer for a few years until signing up for AOD in 2022. This year will be my 2nd consecutive 6-figure year of running my small business as a filmmaker/director. Plus I've gotten to work on passion projects and meet other amazing filmmakers from around the world - all helping to keep the flame burning for this amazing art form of filmmaking.
Thanks for all you do, Mark.

[mightymoeish]

I'm going into nursing. Going to use the money from travel nursing to pay for equipment, staff, and actors. Shoot my own stuff.
Starting with tiktoks and Youtube now.

[BillHoward]

I started as a photographer. After 7 years full time, I started adding filmmaking projects. Mostly these are my own projects. I have a docuseries (2 seasons) out, a feature film, and 2 mockumentaries. Currently working on a major documentary.

[chroniclevisuals]

I’m an aspiring documentary DP based in Virginia who started making passion projects in high school. Ended up in a small mediocre film program my local university while working a part time job in social media and production at my church at the time. From there I continued working various jobs as a student all in the realm of social media and marketing at my school, and began doing freelance photo and video work for people I knew. I graduated last year and landed a summer internship at a local photo/video agency that allowed me to continue working part time as a shooter for them after my internship, and I was a barista on the side - wasn’t making nearly enough to live off of. Still tried to get the freelance ball rolling and did a couple of documentary passion projects during that time. I recently landed a full time job at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) where I work as a videographer and finally have some financial stability. The end goal is still to land in the freelance realm making docs but I’m content where I am for now!

[MrJackarow]

I got a film editing internship with a documentary director at the end of college. After a year working as a substitute preschool teacher, I got a job being hired on another documentary after the director found my work through the internship I did. I’m now working on the second project with this director. In my free time I’ve been writing short films and aim to direct those short films in the future

[Michal_Kedzierski]

Mark, I’ve been following your channel for a couple years now. I’m now in my 4year of film school, graduating next year and there’s a lot of uncertainty coming my way. Thank you for always explaining everything so thoroughly and creating so many valuable and informative videos here on YouTube!

[REELBROOKLYNFILMS]

Im a Brooklyn based Indie Doc filmmaker. My career path started as a theatrical electrician in 1987 which led to ten years as a professional theatrical Lighting designer. In 1997 I got tired of working for other people and made my first short film (on 16mm film) and that led to 28 years of filmmaking. The last 12 as a documentary filmmaker. I am just finishing up my fourth Documentary and about to dive into my next one. If you had told me thirty years ago when i was still a working rock and roll drummer this is where i would be i would say you were nuts. It's taken a lot of hard work and amazing collaborations to get where i am now. This life, this career choice is not for the faint of heart. But i would not trade a bad day on set for the best day in an office. I also have small youtube channel where I talk about indie doc filmmaking, mostly just for myself and my handful of followers.

[daytrip_films]

I went to college for a 2-year communications program that had a "Media-Production" major option which was A LOT cheaper than film school and got me an internship at a video production company right away and a whole bunch of other connections as a result of it, which ultimately led to working on movies, commercials, AND docs. Would highly recommend this option to anyone who wants to start out through the commercial route and has less cash to burn on film school