The 5 Common Complaints of Filmmakers and Screenwriters

Why sit around moaning? Starting a self-induced bitching corner is the simplest way NOT to get anything done. And believe you me: there are at least 5 common complaints of filmmakers. There’s no reason to sit on your keister when you’ve got a fabulous film to go make! Don’t let these 5 whines stop you:

5 Common Complaints of Filmmakers

My guess is you can add a lot more to this list!

1. I have writer’s block

This is a pet peeve of mine: because writer’s block has nothing to do with lack of creativity. It does have everything to do with lack of confidence. Filmmakers who use this are begging for sympathy and are usually wallowing in self pity. What a shame. For no doctor in the world can save you from the disease of self pity.

What do you do about this?

Try a bit of that old PMA: Positive Mental Attitude. Your idea might be shite – but it does’nt matter. At least you got it written down. And the more you write, the better you will get. Believe in yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.

Are you in a bit of a jam? Maybe have a peek at these free resources for writers put together by our good friends at Collabwriters.

2.It’s too complicated and technical

Don’t know how to turn on a video camera? Or import an edit? Or make a festering wound? With all of the indie tips on the net, all the tutorials and all the training sessions on offer, there is simply no excuse. Get tooled up. And don’t make this excuse. It’s lame.

What do you do about this?

Film industry professionals are about the most generous people of any industry, and are generally ready to share their knowledge. So learn how to ask, and please, learn how to say thank you.

As far as techie things go, remember this: the latest and greatest whatever will always give you techie heartache.

For example, I keep getting asked what camra is he best. This asked of me when I barely know how to sync my phone to my laptop! But i do know this much:

Take the much lauded RED camera – it is really good. But the rest of the industry hasn’t caught up to it yet. Meaning you could have all sorts of problems after you have captured your images at fantastic resolution. Maybe it’s best to work one or two rungs further down the ladder, where everyone is familiar with the equipment.

By the way, I know now that if you want a top-of-the-line camera that can out hit and out box the RED, look to the new Lumix S1H camera. We’ve got one at Raindance and everyone is loving it.

The Lumix S1H is the first mirrorless camera to get Netflix ‘A’ approval as a primary camera for filming original Netflix productions, and the cheapest too, mixing with far more expensive rivals like the Arri Alexa 65, Red One and Sony Venice.

Rob Lawson, Digital Camera World

3.I have no time

Seat of your pants to the seat of your chair. If you don’t make time, you will fritter it away. And guess what? Everyone else is busy too! If you whinge and whine about how little time you have, everyone tracking your career will get sick of you. And truthfully, complaining takes up more time than anything.

What do you do about this?

If you are really silly about your film career you will allocate a bit of time to it every single day. Sure you have the day job and the social life. But if you tell me you have no time at all, not even an half hour a day, I’m going to think you are a wanker. It is amazing what one can accomplish with a half hour per day.

4.I have no money

Guess what. You don’t need money.

What do you do about this?

Go shoot a movie on your cell phone. The quality is excellent.

5.I don’t know how to make money with my film

My question is, if you don’t know, do you really care? The entire model for movies and money is changing, and changing with the arrival of movies on the internet.

What do you do about this?

Read our free article: Self Distribution | How Filmmakers Make Living

Fade Out:

We are entering a whole new era of filmmaking and film distribution. Everyone is making up the rules as we go along. You can be part of this new frontier. But you can’t be a part of this new frontier if you are sitting inactive and impassive.

A career in the creative industries is challenging. It takes guts and determination to extablish yourself. And there is no room for any of the 5 common complaints of filmmakers.

Remember that quitters never win and winners never quit.

Now, why are you reading this when you should be out making or writing your next movie?