How do you become a film specialist?

To become a specialist in an area of film, there are two stages. Learn -> broadly Learn -> with focus When starting out in the industry, you'll usually find you just have an interest in 'film' and 'creating'. At the start you individually are the only resource you have, you'll learn a bit of everything from coming up with a film idea, pre-production, shooting it and editing it. The first stage is essential. It will help you realise which areas you really enjoy, and, more importantly, give you an understanding of how each section of a production ties together. Next, learn with focus. Pick the speciality area that really drives you, keep learning, practicing and executing - repeat.

Sometimes your specialty finds you. Like many, I started out shooting thanks to legends such as Roger Deakins. Working closely with the director on set discussing framing, actor movement was an exciting time at one point. But working in the edit suite became easier to grasp. Some would say, it's the patience...I'd say it's the fear and excitement of laying all the puzzle pieces and sifting through all of this dirt to find the gold, and then we have to figure out what can we put together that will move the audience in one way or the other.

Start with appreciating films. Read literature as well. Doing a course for film appreciation would be a great kickstart and it helps you understand various aspects of cinema including history of cinema, language of films, the art, story, cinematography, editing, selling films and film festivals in india. Start practising with a camera. Learn basics. Watch movies made my good director. Watch the first ever film ever shot. Start appreciating other art and artists as well. Also film is a collaborative effect and experience.

The film industry is blessed for eduction. Filmmakers, make great films, teaching filmmaking. There's so much educational content available for free (on platforms like YouTube) or are relatively low cost (on platforms like skill share). If you're looking to develop and get educated as a filmmaker, just taking a little time everyday to keep learning. Even after 6 years in this industry, I'm still spending 20 mins on my lunch break nerding out, watching videos and learning new things.

Portfolio and Network are two fundamentals for a filmmaker. A few quick notes on portfolio: - Portfolio will grow with time, stick with it - Make a showreel (but not a long one, max 90 secs) - If you don't have a client project, make a spec project. Network: great films are a collaboration between tens, hundreds or thousands of people. Don't isolate yourself as a filmmaker -> the best films are where the best collaborations have happened.

It's easy when you start out in film to try and say you can 'do everything'. Figuring out what films, ads, content etc. actually interest you is an important step. You'll make better work because your passionate about it. Filmmaker make great stuff, post it. It can be daunting at the start to post your work to the world But... if you put out great work, in a specific field.. you're more likely to get more work in that space you love!

Being in the film industry is cool AF. You get the opportunity to meet so many cool people, tackle new challenges, travel to place. And - you get an awesome creation at the end of it. It's seriously hard work, but - so worth it!