Several Good reasons To Study Filmmaking
Many creative souls are drawn to filmmaking, but this choice of career may seem like craziness at times! For a start, the film industry is an unforgiving, demanding and sometimes ruthless environment in which the chances of success often seem impossibly small. And yet, studying to be a filmmaker brings many rewards, and prepares the individual for the world of work in numerous valuable ways - whether you are employed to deliver the specialist skills you trained for, or end up doing something entirely different.
One of the primary skills we learn in film is creative problem-solving. In any work environment, the individual who has the capacity to identify a problem, come up with a range of possible solutions and trouble-shoot under pressure is a valuable employee. This also makes many filmmakers able to create their own work as entrepreneurs: seeing a gap in the market and figuring how to fill it.
Another important skill is being able to envisage an outcome and see it through to completion. Filmmaking is a lengthy process, involving the input, ideas and skills of a large group of people. The ability of a team to pull together a project over several months from conception to screening is a feat of great co-operation and determination.
Which brings me to the issue of team-work. There are few situations in which such large teams of specialists work together to create a unique outcome every day as in the film industry - each one delivering their particular part towards the final orchestrated whole. The only way films and television get made is through willing co-operation. Creative people are passionate, sometimes volatile and seldom ordinary; but no matter the personality types involved, film will teach you how to work as part of a team if you want to succeed.
The flip-side of working in a team is having to self-motivate. Film requires each member of the crew to develop and hone their own skills and preparedness so that they can bring excellence to the table. Competence in the craft is not enough - you have to strive to be the very best in your field. And the only way to do this is to “go the extra mile”, as the saying goes, to dig deeper and push harder. Surrounding yourself with excellence will encourage you to develop excellence.
The film industry is a machine where time is money. Film teaches time-keeping, discipline and the acceptance of rules. It teaches you when to lead and when to follow. It teaches flexibility and adaptability in the face of ever-changing circumstances. And it teaches you to deal with disappointment and setbacks by picking yourself up and simply getting on with the job.
In the words of Frank Sinatra - “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere”.
So, if you sometimes wonder whether studying to enter the film industry is worthwhile, I hope I have convinced you that it is.
One of the primary skills we learn in film is creative problem-solving. In any work environment, the individual who has the capacity to identify a problem, come up with a range of possible solutions and trouble-shoot under pressure is a valuable employee. This also makes many filmmakers able to create their own work as entrepreneurs: seeing a gap in the market and figuring how to fill it.
Another important skill is being able to envisage an outcome and see it through to completion. Filmmaking is a lengthy process, involving the input, ideas and skills of a large group of people. The ability of a team to pull together a project over several months from conception to screening is a feat of great co-operation and determination.
Which brings me to the issue of team-work. There are few situations in which such large teams of specialists work together to create a unique outcome every day as in the film industry - each one delivering their particular part towards the final orchestrated whole. The only way films and television get made is through willing co-operation. Creative people are passionate, sometimes volatile and seldom ordinary; but no matter the personality types involved, film will teach you how to work as part of a team if you want to succeed.
The flip-side of working in a team is having to self-motivate. Film requires each member of the crew to develop and hone their own skills and preparedness so that they can bring excellence to the table. Competence in the craft is not enough - you have to strive to be the very best in your field. And the only way to do this is to “go the extra mile”, as the saying goes, to dig deeper and push harder. Surrounding yourself with excellence will encourage you to develop excellence.
The film industry is a machine where time is money. Film teaches time-keeping, discipline and the acceptance of rules. It teaches you when to lead and when to follow. It teaches flexibility and adaptability in the face of ever-changing circumstances. And it teaches you to deal with disappointment and setbacks by picking yourself up and simply getting on with the job.
In the words of Frank Sinatra - “If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere”.
So, if you sometimes wonder whether studying to enter the film industry is worthwhile, I hope I have convinced you that it is.