101: What New Filmmakers Need to Know Before Starting Their First Film

Do you dream of creating your first film but don’t know where to start? 🎥 Whether your goal is to direct a short film or produce a feature-length masterpiece, filmmaking is an exciting but daunting challenge. From budgeting to post-production, there’s more to filmmaking than meets the eye.

I’ve been in the filmmaking world since 2020, working as a producer, actor, and director, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Today, I’m sharing insights that every new filmmaker should know to help you turn your ideas into reality.

The Reality of Filmmaking

Filmmaking is a long process, often much longer than you might anticipate. Many first-time filmmakers underestimate how time-consuming it is to create a polished product. If you’re producing a low-budget indie film, it gets even trickier because you’re pulling together a team, possibly working with favors instead of cash, and juggling multiple tasks. Here are the key things to keep in mind before starting your filmmaking journey.

Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production

Filmmaking involves three significant phases:

1. Pre-Production – This is all about planning. It includes script development, assembling your team, location scouting, and scheduling.
2. Production – This is the actual filming stage. For short films, you might spend 2-3 days shooting. A feature film, however, typically requires 2-3 weeks of intense work on set.
3. Post-Production – From editing to visual effects (VFX), composing music, and designing promotional material, post-production can take months or even a year to complete.

Successfully budgeting for all three stages is essential. Running out of funds halfway through post-production is one of the most common pitfalls in filmmaking.

Filmmaking Essential Tips

1. Budget Beyond Production

Most rookie filmmakers only budget for production costs, but pre-production and post-production also require significant financial resources. For example:

• Film Festivals: Submitting to festivals isn’t free. Expect to spend $50-$100 per submission, with most filmmakers submitting to 10 or more festivals.
• Marketing & Promotions: Social media campaigns and promotional content add extra costs.
• Post-Production Needs: Editing, sound mixing, and poster designs all incur expenses.

Pro Tip: Allocate $2,000–$5,000 or more solely for post-production and festival submissions to avoid getting stuck mid-process.

2. Go Easy on VFX

Visual effects (VFX) can quickly eat up your budget. Even minor edits, like adding animations to a phone screen, can cost a few hundred dollars. Most VFX artists won’t work for free, so avoid writing VFX-heavy scenes unless your budget can handle it.

Why Avoid Sci-Fi as a First Project?

Sci-fi films often demand extensive VFX, which drives up costs unless you have access to high-end resources. Aim for simple, grounded scripts with minimal technical requirements for your early projects.

3. Set Realistic Timelines

Don’t rush your projects. Filmmaking takes time, and unrealistic timelines can lead to unnecessary stress and compromise quality.

• Development: Dedicate 3-6 months to find your crew, scout locations, and finalize budgets.
• Production: Plan for 2-3 days (short films) or 2-3 weeks (feature films) of shooting.
• Post-Production: Reserve time for editing, music composition, branding, and timed festival submissions. Post-production for even short films can easily take a year.

4. Strategize Your Festival Submissions

Film festivals can be a great way to showcase your work. However, submitting to smaller festivals may disqualify you from larger, more prestigious ones. Do your research, and strategize your entry timeline to maximize your visibility.

Want to increase your chances of acceptance? Leverage your film to create buzz. Use social media content, teasers, and trailers to build hype around your production before entering festivals.

My Advice to Aspiring Filmmakers

If you’re new to filmmaking, here’s the bottom line:

• Build a team and delegate tasks where possible.
• Budget carefully for every stage of filmmaking, including overlooked expenses like festival submissions and marketing.
• Keep your initial projects straightforward to avoid costly setbacks.
• Learn from your mistakes! Filmmaking is a craft that improves with each project.

Yes, it’s hard work, but there’s no feeling quite like seeing your story come to life on screen.

Take That First Step

Filmmaking is not just about the final product; it’s about the creative process, the collaboration, and the challenges along the way. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start your first project, this is it!

Share your experiences, ask your questions in the comments below, or subscribe to follow along with more filmmaking advice.

Together, we can create stories that matter. 💡

Don’t Wait—Start Your Filmmaking Journey Today! 🎬

There’s no better time to bring your creative vision to life than now. Whether you’re crafting a heartfelt indie drama or an action-packed short film, the tools and knowledge are at your fingertips. Take the first step, and remember, filmmaking is a learning process—embrace the challenges and celebrate the milestones.

Subscribe for more expert tips and inspiration tailored to your filmmaking dreams! And don’t forget to join the conversation in the comments. Your vision matters—make it a reality!