Here are the top 10 mistakes filmmakers make that kill their careers

Filmmaking is the ultimate method of expression. It has the capability to enhance your independence, innovation, and experimentation. You can set a shot, edit a scene, and tell a story in numerous ways. That said, you have to maintain some things like concepts, tips, ideas and tricks when you’re starting out. These things help you to make more precise decisions in your filmmaking journey. 

In this article, we will demonstrate ten mistakes that filmmakers make which lead them to downfall. If you want to understand the art and your voice as a filmmaker, read the article till the end. Let’s jump in.

1. Doing too much yourself

When you attempt to minimize costs, you may fall into this trap. When you do everything on your own, it keeps you from stepping back and you get no chance to take a hard look at the future. 

You have to keep control of future planning because it builds the ability to anticipate problems. You just keep repeating over and over again when you do too much yourself. Call for extra help before it’s too late like online video editing services for post-production or musicians for sound recording. 

2. You don’t know what you don’t know.

You should set your career when you are really good at something. It can be directing action, or a flair for working with actors, or you’re an all-rounder. You need a host of different skill sets in the business of filmmaking. 

You should develop skills such as sourcing new clients, publicity and marketing, hiring new staff, and managing the cash flow questions. You will not have the potential for a meltdown if you don’t have this creative mix. Filmmakers can never be successful if they don’t recognize their own skills and take action to fill the gaps.

3. Quitting the day job too early

Your passion for filmmaking should be so deep that you would enjoy the initial successes and revenues. You can hire staff and premises and quit your day job, but that’s only to face financial and psychological ruin when your early successes hit a minor glitch in the long period to a successful career. 

If you plan to survive, you need money. You need to make sure that you can cover your monthly expenses before you leave your day job. 

4. Lacking anyone to talk to

You will often need discussions and debate on your filmmaking journey. You will hardly find anyone to talk to at times. You can talk about certain legal and technical challenges to your accountant or lawyer, but you can’t talk about creativity issues with them. 

It’s very damaging to have no networks. In order to find new perspectives and ideas, you will need a trusted advisor or a friend. It’s also nourishing on your ego when you have your ideas and project endorsed. 

5. Working with the wrong people

You’re passionate about your business, but it’s always last-minute. This can lead you to hire people without proper interviews and reference-checking. But you have to make sure that they have enough experience to work with you. Their experience has to be relevant to what you need. If they don’t have mutual respect, it’s no use. Moreover, they should know their own limits. 

6. Lack of self-awareness

Don’t be afraid of admitting your shortfalls and fears just to glean the mantra of praise. In this case, you will not take any criticisms from anyone because you believe that you know better, but actually you don’t. You can’t develop a team if you belong to this group of people. Nobody will want to collaborate with you. Be honest with yourself and get some feedback from your friends. 

7. Staying in the comfort zone

Nothing is wrong with working with the same team members over and over again, but sometimes nobody challenges and tests you and your ideas when you’re doing this. It can be uncomfortable to work with the people who challenge you but you don’t know that they are ultimately helping you to become a better filmmaker. 

You are narrowing the angles on potential incoming problems when you work with more people. 

8. Improper scripts

The screenplay is a must when starting any movie production. You should not inititate filmmaking if you don’t have an excellent script. Your films might get shot well, acted well, and even edited well, but if the script is not good enough, the result will suck. So, having the right script according to the concept will just take your films to the next level. 

9. Not knowing the budget of moviemaking

There are different reasons that filmmakers make movies. Some want to make money or some want to get a message across. And you have to decide why exactly you are making movies. It will help you to determine what you try and achieve. 

10. Not having any idea about the market

If you don’t have any idea about the issues that this specific market faces, you cannot be a successful filmmaker. Territories don’t the same censorship and topical requirements. They are different in different markets. If you want to make a hit in the market, you have to understand this first. 

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If you avoid these ten major mistakes, you will surely have a decent chance of success for your filmmaking career. Analyze these ten areas and take proper action accordingly.