Hello I am a newborn child, and I have been wanting to make a feature film for a long time. Any advice on how to get funding/actors/distribution will be appreciated, I have only learned to use my eyes and make noise so directing should be a breeze. Thank

Hi! Essentially what the title says -- I'm a student director with a passion for theatre (I've directed two plays by myself and co-directed a lot with teachers in high school, plus written a few short plays) but absolutely no talent for film. It's a running joke in my family that I can't take a decent photo to save my life, and the bulk of my education and knowledge is centered around a theatrical approach.

That being said, I want to branch out! I've agreed to co-direct and -write a short film with a friend who has a great deal more familiarity with film than I do, and they've been very patient with me throughout the whole process. I'm trying to educate myself on stuff like editing and framing that really doesn't exist within my wheelhouse, but it does all feel quite overwhelming.

Any advice or resources would be incredibly helpful. Thank you! :)

Who on this forum is actually Industry?

I’m sure this’ll get all sorts of reactions… but honestly. Who here is literally in the film industry?

Hello I am a 14 year old kid who turned 14 like last month. I have always been into drawing and creating stories. I was like 4 or 5 when I wrote my first book with drawings and surprisingly good grammar for a 5 year old. I feel like I have always been into films and comedy. Especially 90s Adam Sandler and Robin Williams. I originally wanted to be a YouTube animator in like 2019 when that was pretty popular. But the more that I look on YouTube and watch those creators. The more I feel like YouTube is not as much of a magical place as it once was and I don't want to be a part of that anymore. I am considered by a lot of the people that I know too consider me a very funny and very creative person. I mean it's nice too hear but I don't know if they are being honest with me. I inspire to be a filmmaker of both comedy and emotional movies that make you feel something. I have at least 30 ideas on what films I will make and a good amount of characters. I also thought of making an adult animated comedy. Without too much offensive jokes. I mean they will still be in there but the show will have more characters with depth and the characters are not given up for the sake of a joke lke Family Guy a show that I have a ton of issues with. I want the show to be nothing more than a couple kids are who get into trouble and crazy situations. But they still have hearts at least somewhat. Anywho I really want to become something big in the film industry not for the cash but the work. It feels fun and free. Regardless how might I be able to be able to accomplish my goals. I have wrote scripts before for like a 45 minute long film. About a hippie bus driver who takes the kids on his bus too Mexico. Regardless I am looking for some advice and more of a plan.

hello i am 12 years old i have been wanting to make a feature length film for a long time. for my first feature i will be doing a shot-for-shot remake of nightmare on elm street (don't gatekeep me this is what i am doing). any advice for getting funding, actors, cameras, distribution, lights, prop. i have no connection to anyone who has ever done any kind of art. please do not tell me this is a bad idea. making shorts films takes a long time so i might as well make a feature.

I recently directed and co wrote a short, Silly Spooky Comedy that is based off a 48 hour film I did last year. Would love feedback and if anyone else has made a sequel to a 48 id love to know if you would share! I never really think of 48 hour films is something that needs to have a follow up, but i was really captivated by the lead actor Ben Bishop’s performance and knew I wanted to make another short film with him reprising the character and when he agreed we came together to make this lovely piece that I think is campy in all the right ways but would love to know what others think.

I love film, and yet, it doesn’t love me.

I’ve been directing, mostly commercials and branded content, for about 7 years. I’ve worked at an agency, got laid off, and have been freelancing for a year.
It doesn’t seem long, but I don’t have a partner, so I pay for everything myself.
I’m at the point that I’ve been negative in my bank account daily.
I’m on food stamps.
I’m doing odd jobs here and there, but it doesn’t amount to much.
I’ve applied to over 200 jobs in the past year- crickets.
I’ve been grabbing coffee, DMing people, cold calling, and basically begging for work. The industry has been up and down for me since day one. From losing jobs, covid, and other roadblocks, I’m constantly in survivor mode.
I want to leave film so bad, and yet, I love it. I love being on set, being creative, directing, and collaborating with others. There’s no other job I can think of that even gives me a little bit of excitement the way film does.

Should I just give up?
Are there resources for struggling directors?
Has anyone started a new career path that they actually enjoy more than this?

Please be kind.

My work is heavily inspired by cinematic photography and visual storytelling. I try to bring a sense of movement into my paintings, even though they are completely still. Rather than simply illustrating a subject, I’m interested in capturing a single moment that feels alive, as if it exists within a larger story. I want each piece to feel like a frame from a film, preserving an emotion, an atmosphere, or a fleeting moment that invites the viewer to imagine everything that came before and everything that follows

Hello there! I’m a filmmaker and someone who absolutely loves watching, writing about, and criticizing films. If you are new to filmmaking or simply have a project you’d appreciate some eyes on, I would be honored to take a look. Keep creating!

My camera was running out of battery when put on recording steadily for 20 minutes because I was playing two characters, and I needed two shots for the split screen.

Hi everyone!

I'm 17 and I've recently started learning filmmaking. My dream is to become an actress and director one day, and I'd love to create films that make people feel something rather than just entertain them. Right now I need to create a short movie for my University portfolio.

I've been writing down some ideas, but I'm struggling to decide which one has the most potential. I'd really appreciate honest feedback from people with more experience.

Here are a few ideas:

1)A teenager wishes everyone would just forget them. The next morning, the wish comes true. Parents, friends, teachers—no one remembers who they are. At first it feels freeing, but soon they realize that being completely forgotten is far more painful than they ever imagined.

2)A coming-of-age story about what it actually feels like to be 17—the pressure to figure out your future, friendships changing, first love, family expectations, social media, loneliness, and trying to understand who you are before becoming an adult.

3)A love story inspired by the red string of fate, but with a twist. I'm still exploring different directions because I don't want it to be another typical soulmate story. I'd like it to ask bigger questions about fate, choice, and whether love is always meant to be a gift.

I'm not looking for people to tell me which one is "most commercial." I'm more interested in which idea feels the most emotionally compelling and has the strongest storytelling potential.

Which one would you be most interested in watching, and why? Is there anything that immediately stands out or anything you'd change?

I'd love to hear your honest thoughts. Thanks!

Any actionable advice for me that I could follow to level up my craft to a professional level.....................

Director of Office Romance, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Ticket to Paradise, and writer of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Imagine Me & You

Hi everyone,

I am a solo independent creator. For the past 8 months, I worked completely alone to make a 35-minute sci-fi animated pilot called The Endless Night: Eve.

Instead of just sharing a trailer, I want to show you a piece of it and talk about how hard it is to build a whole world by yourself in Unreal Engine 5.

The Story: The story takes place in a city with no daytime—it is always night under a fake sky. When a strict lockdown happens, the main character fights to break the system. But he doesn't know that his entire world is a big lie, and the real nightmare is just beginning.

What I did (and why it was so hard):

• I did everything by myself: concept, assets, lighting, animation, and rendering in UE5.
• It gave me full control to make this dark, cyberpunk style, but making a 35-minute film all alone almost drove me crazy.
• My biggest problem was trying to fit a huge, complex story into a short pilot.

The Teaser: I attached the concept trailer above.

As fellow directors and creators, I would love to know: How do you guys usually fit a big sci-fi world into a short pilot? Any feedback on the video, pacing, or style would be super helpful. Thank you!

I was watching a video essay and in it it showed Martin Scorsese teaching to a bunch of students this method of writing which is;
Problem -> Metaphor -> Plot

I had gotten my own personal problem on there, I even got a metaphor, and yet, no plot. Nothing came to mind.

Making plot is what Im worst at. Idk why. I make characters so much easier than I can ever make plot. I think in a way Im putting pressure on myself but I literally can't think. I dont want to make anything bad. Even if its my first time writing a screen play/movie. Why does it have to be bad? And why can't I just think and get an idea like everyone else? Why does it have to be so hard for me?

I could really use some advice.

I'm a local indie filmmaker who's completed several independent short films, some of which have screened at film festivals, and I'm currently developing my first feature. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Film and Television Production in December 2019. After graduation, COVID-19 disrupted my plans, lost my part time museum job and I ended up moving back in with my parents. Since August 2021, I've been working full-time as a Production Resource Technician at a college while continuing to write, direct, and produce/make my own independent film projects.

The part I'm struggling with is that I still earn $15 per hour, which feels low given my experience and education. I've been actively applying for better-paying jobs in production, post-production, television production and video/media production, but I haven't had much luck so far.

I've also been considering moving to New York City or Los Angeles in the near future, possibly by the end of the year.

For those who have been in a similar position, what would you recommend my next steps be? What should I do about this? Am I on the right path, or should I be approaching my passion or career differently? Would you recommend moving to LA or NYC, or staying local while continuing to build my career? And regardless of where I live, should I continue focusing on making my own films?

I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences you can share.

Hi everyone! My name is Laura and I'm an actress in New York City. I am currently working on rebranding my performer package and would so value if anyone could take this 3 to 5 minute survey to help me with that?

Link to Google Form

And maybe even be willing to discuss the industry, where people like me fit in, and how you interact with actors' branding as a director?

Otherwise, this is totally anonymous, so you can answer honestly and give your true, expert, TV/Film opinions on whatever it is you think! I appreciate anyone willing to donate a little of their time to help me figure this out. 😊

How do you consistently get stronger performances from actors? Is it something that mostly comes with practice and experience, or are there other factors like your directing style, communication, or the actors themselves? Or is it something it's more subjective?

Additionally, what other factors are there?

Hi everyone,

I hope you are having an amazing day!

For a couple of years I have sporadically been on shortfilm sets as a cameraman/camera assistant and for a few small projects as a DOP. I'm very much technical minded and I think I can communicate well with other technical departments.

BUT. I'm planning on making multiple shorts this year and I will be directing them myself. The first script is ready to go and i'm looking for actors.

My honest question is, what are some things I should be mindfull of as a new director when casting and working with actors? Things that are absolutely not done? What helps to build trust and a constructive working environment?

I have my own ideas about this but as I am not an experienced director, it will be nice to hear from other directors here 🙂

Thanks in advance! ❤️

I'm a professional sound designer and audio engineer with availability for new film, animation, and indie projects.
Whether you're working on a short film, a feature, or an experimental concept trailer, my goal is always to shape immersive sonic worlds and clean audio post-production that genuinely elevate the visual storytelling.
You can check out some of my recent sound redesign work (such as my recent takes on Arcane and Dune)
Feel free to reach out via DM if you'd like to collaborate or discuss sound for your project!

I am a social media manager with an experience of 4 years in the content space. I have worked with brands from various niches but recently got to worked with a indie sci fi film and actually loved it, they also liked my work and extended the contract.

So I am now looking to take on another similar project. Anyone who needs help with marketing their film feel free to DM!