HF: What inspirational words do you have for those trying to break into the industry?
S: Do it. Never give up. Everyone will doubt you and say it can’t happen, but if you dedicate yourself wholly, sacrifice everything, keep a clear focus on your goal, learn like a motherfucking every aspect of filmmaking from shot composition to story telling philosophy, and keep your vision true and honest – you will find success. Make a film that you would pay to see in a theatre, but something that not only you would want to see. Have a reason for your film to exist. It’s not enough to just make a film. What benefit is there to your film existing, what are you trying to say? Stay true to yourself. A good start is to make something self-contained that you can fund yourself and make yourself. You will learn skills for your entire filmmaking life from that production. Rodriguez’s ‘Rebel Without A Crew’ is an invaluable resource. Focus on the donut, not the hole. The donut is the film that you are making and the stories you share; the hole is all the bullshit that comes with it that isn’t important. Use social media to your advantage – you don’t need a 20 million dollar marketing budget to get your work out there. Be yourself, market you as you to stand out. And treat people the way you want to be treated, the world is filled with assholes – don’t be another one. If you treat people with kindness and respect, the whole world opens up to you.
J: Be sure it’s what you have to do, not just what you want to do. If you could be just as happy being a teacher or a parent or a doctor, go do that. It’s such a rewarding business, but it’s hard. Very hard. It has the highest highs and the lowest lows. You will at times feel like total crap and regret ever getting into the industry. We all go through it. Some people, like me and Sylv, can’t be happy doing anything else. If you’re reading this, something inside you is telling you either you have to work in this business or you’ll never be happy doing anything else or you’re not sure. If you’re not sure, go do something else. But if you’re like us, buckle up. Stay true to yourself. Stay true to your word. You’re only as good as your word in this business. Never let anything stop you. So many people try, don’t succeed right away, and then give up. Most people give up, but you have to keep going. There’s this great quote from the DAREDEVIL comics, “the measure of a man isn’t in how man times he gets knocked to the mat, it’s how gets back up.” It’s very true for this business. Surround yourself with good people, legally protect yourself, don’t sign just anything, and make your own damn movie. Do it DIY style and make it so everyone can see what you can do with no budget. Don’t sit around and wait for someone to make your dreams happen for you. Make it happen for yourself."
READ THE INTERVIEW HERE!
-Sylv
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