What NOBODY Tells You About FILMMAKING 

My Feature Film 'The Devil's Fortune' is streaming on Amazon Prime: amzn.to/3AREQNq

I completly agree with you here. 90% of Film making is problem solving. Right from when you get an idea of the story to writing it down to casting crew to getting location to filming it to editing it to marketing. Every little thing is all about problem solving, and honestly that is what makes filmmaking FUN.

Great vid! I made a budget short film & did everything by myself…and I feel mentally drained from it all, people just don’t realise how much work is involved in it all & I have maximum respect for film makers, I always did, but now even more so !! I am proud of what I made though, so all the hard work and time spent was worth it, and it was one hell of an experience.

Great stuff man. I got my start by doing those backflip videos. I quickly burned out on it because I felt like what I was creating was meaningless and a 'flash in the pan' piece of content with no real purpose. I've since transitioned into proper set work in the camera department. I have noticed that there is a lot of sitting at my desk, reaching out to potential clients, emailing, planning, and oftentimes very long periods of downtime between jobs. It can be super discouraging compared to how "easy" it was to just drive to a scenic location and shoot everything in slow-mo. I get really frustrated when these "filmmaker" influencers seem to be idolized when all they do is review gear and shoot montages of slow-motion footage. This video nails it!

YES !! Oh man, you are so right. I've been shooting on and off since 1985 and I'm so sick of these young kids reviewing cameras by shooting in an exotic location or national park with thier girlfriend . And of course not only are they getting money from the commercials in the beginning but they have a sponsor. Not one of these guys has tried making a movie with characters. And that's how you know they are full of it. They review the camera ok but the presentation says " I have a great life, I travel, I eat at exotic places, I really know film". No you don't, you know how to go to a beautiful location stand in front of it and shoot it. That's it and anyone can do that.

Finally an honest person who tells us the truth. You are absolutely right and I congratulate you for your honesty.

the missing screw, every time I said that... some people thinks its far-fetched..... thanks man!!!

Thanks for this Ribidium - needed to be said!

I started my RU-vid channel with hopes of becoming a filmmaker who would make it in Hollywood. Even though I'm now working towards that goal in the real world, it has never been far from the truth when it comes to the RU-vid side of things.

Like you (I think) I started in this business working on commercials. From a PA to a grip, to production manager then producer and now director. It's obvious to me watching many RU-vidrs that they've never really been in that world. Which is fine. I can still enjoy their content. I'm wondering though if you feel the same way I do. After working on commercials for so long and not owning ANY of the work I create, I felt the need to start making work that I owned (at least owned a part of it). So I made my first feature film. We'll see how that goes. Take care.

Nailed it. Such a good breakdown. Love the footage of Devil’s Fortune at the end too. 🤙🏽

Thank you for giving an honest, realistic portrait of what it is like to work in the film industry. I'm sure that Brit Marling would totally agree with you. I think what you are pointing to is that the primary attitude towards this work is to love the process itself, even the hassles and stuff that goes wrong. The glamour accounts for maybe 1% of the job; the rest is sheer hard work. And the only way to survive that is to love it.

Great to have your reality check. Thank you.

Couldn't agree more. Filming is 99 percent other stuff than filming!!

If you want to become a filmmaker watch Interviews with Rober Rodriguez or Christopher Nolan, or Darren Arronofsky. How they shot their first films for 4000 or 40.000 Dollar. Avoid all "Tech RU-vidrs" who talks about image stabilisation 8bit, 10bit and all that BS. If you want to shoot film. Get the camera with the most Dynamic Range. For under 2000 bucks that would the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras. Learn how to use them. Watch 1 or 2 videos. Done. Write a script, film something. Learn how Roger Deakins light a scene. You can learn that in 1 hour. Don't watch 100 hours of cameras and lenses and gears. If you want to learn about film editing or color. WATCH movies. Real movies. And see how they are graded, or how often they cut, when they cut. How is the light, etc. It is all "in" the movie. Don't watch some nerd sitting in a tiny room with a stupid neon light in the background. Avoid RU-vidrs who do stupid faces for the thumbnails and talk about camera camera camera. McKinnon, Gerald Undone, and so on... avoid!

Interesting video post. I think the culture has changed as far as film makers go. Obviously you are a genuine nuts and bolts film maker. But in this society of Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, and RU-vid the traditional film has its place but so does the little short of someone going out with their smartphone and seeing if they can piece something together that someone will watch just to watch. The social media platforms have people watching people play video games on RU-vid, so it might not be that a lot of people are fooled about what it takes to be a film maker, but it might be that it doesn’t matter so much. An example is I pay $12 to go see a major movie production and I have high expectations on the film, but I can watch anything on RU-vid or Instagram free. There is a difference.

So dam true. 100%.

I've delivered 7 narrative feature films to a Hollywood studio. And all from my basement office in Horseshoe Valley Ontario.

Respect brother 💪 no truer words have been spoken. I would just say for some of us its just a hobby - we have other full time jobs and filmmaking is that escape we long 🤷🏻‍♂️

Valuable information!!

What nobody ever tells you is that Filmmaking is essentially fruitless, no matter how hard you work. The hardest lesson I've learned, after being a filmmaker for over 20 years, is that no one really cares about you, your ideas, or your films. Unless you are a pre-established name in the business, you will have an exceptionally hard time getting anywhere. It's a very tightly-knit world and it's VERY difficult for new filmmakers with new ideas to ever make a dent. You either have to already come from money, have family in the business (i.e. give your daddy a script and he turns your terrible spoof film into a reality, starring Leslie Nielsen), or get lucky enough to meet someone in the business. I hate to be the Debbie Downer here but it's the cold, hard truth. This is why I stopped caring and started doing it simply for the love of making movies.

I can totally relate to be absolutely sick of videos, once the final edit is complete. These days, the majority of my time is spent adjusting audio levels, in post. A compressor does an adequate job with the dialogue. However, the noise from transmission parts/tools being dropped (and/or moved around) on a metal bench, is more than a compressor can handle. Unfortunately, the dialogue mic is picking up this extra noise (spikes). My current solution involves me going through the entire video and manually adjusting the noise from the bench. Not smart... I'm right in the middle of testing new methods. "It's not over until I win." (Les Brown)

Lighting at 6:08

Working your way up from a P.A will definitely change a persons perspective of the industry. 😅It's definitely not all slow motion, and epic landscapes.

bravo. well said.

I had a missing screw almost ruin a documentary shoot on the first day too!

Hello sir. Is cpl filter is very important for film making ?

What if I say that the only way to have a time to do that special thing(making a movie) without having to worry about all that is to enter short film competition where even their rules of entry regards you as the original creator of your craft am I right?

You're only a real filmmaker if you've been sued at least once and got through it.

As a director, I have been famously know for saying, "If I never have to touch a camera again, I'm okay with that." ;)

I'm looking at beginning to shoot shorts in the future but I'm not under any illusion as to the process. Still I'd like to give it a go. I see all the "hard" stuff as the foundation to making a film. The real problem I am finding is trying to get some real feedback on youtube as to the best budget camera a person should get starting out as their initial workhorse BUT everyone has dif advice, everyone has dif plus' and min's and of course it seems everyone has a film COURSE to peddle. There doesn't seem to be any industry "standard" . As a person who wants to give it a go I am looking for starting on a budget and what's important but I can see the unfortunate influx of making cash from the avalanche of film makers /reviewers on youtube. By the time you would purchase all the gear you supposedly need to start out as a beginner you are already 10k plus ( depending on the cost of the lenses ) into your budget just for a starter camera and its kit. I am just looking to start on a budget with as much bang for my buck as possible and then practice my technique and slowly gain experience to find myself as a filmmaker while I figure out what way I want to go and save up for the additional equipment I will eventually need throughout that process. I am not really looking for the glamour and cash etc but I find it difficult to navigate the youtube flood of videos and information to get to the "real" passion of film making. I want to be in love with the craft before I worry about making any money from it and the whole back office side of things. I think it's developing the love and the passion first that will keep moving me forward through the tediousness of the back end process. Anyway, that is my beef as a hopefully future film maker doing the research before getting started. Thanks for the video. PS please remember to click my affiliate link to those really good set back lights that I highly recommend for you starting out that are only 10 thousand dollars each ! . edits..damn typos..

Thanks for sharing your insight. What video editing software should a person who wants to get into this business be most fluent with?

Doesn’t it depend on the industry, client, budget etc. I think you’re assuming your path in your filmmaking journey is the only path. Unless our definition of filmmaking are different.

Who hurt this dude? Filmmaking isn't something that can just be put in a box. There are a lot things that are extreme about this message. There is a lot in the middle that this guy is breezing over.

true story

And let's not talk about screenwriting, that's something most people think is just a paper that has to be magically ready for you in order to shoot when most of the time you have to write everything yourself before you even dream of pre produce. Theres is no romantic slow motion reel of someone spending years writing a movie.

🤔So basically those who are interested in getting job as a filmmaker, is engaged in emailing.

So many of these youtubers live lavished lives but we never see their work. I often look up their Instagram and try to go as far back as I can. Sure enough these people attended private schools or were going on luxurious vacations since their teens. I kinda figured out that they have other people subsidizing their life style or other family owned sources of income lol. Trying to not sound salty but it is annoying that these Instagram filmmakers twist peoples perception of what is "normal."

Can someone please tell me what is that white thing the guy holding there ? And what is the use of it ? Please i need help.

*Mic Drop*

i have clients and make money.

Thank you so much for this upload. I believe a lot of “content creators” don’t understand the difference between filmmakers, and by calling themselves Filmmakers now the term has lost its value.

Honest engaging production is the future. There is a big difference between getting thousands of views with something that just washes over people (and they forget it after 10 seconds) vs creating something (with care and love) engaging that gets even 10 people to take action. I once created a video production, with a 5 grand budget - for an audience of ONE! (a supermarket buyer of free range eggs that needed to see how "free range" the hens were- the buyer based in Melbourne- didnt have the time to fly out to Western Australia) - The video had, maybe 5 views maximum but positively influenced a multi million dollar buying decision. Another video i made (for free as a school parent ) was to encourage parents to sign up to volunteer at a school canteen (they were struggling and maybe had to shut down) - video went live, instant result with the volunteer roster filling up in days - A small, humble, genuine production but more rewarding than 90% of the corporates i do. There is so much posturing on social media- i can see how it is so difficult for a young, motivated, excited mind to get distracted - if i am honest i am guilty of it myself in the past. Good on you for pointing this out.

Film product reviewer vs actual film maker. Big difference! There are big name “filmmaker” channels that are click baity new product review channels that are slaves to the algorithm.

I think the people you are referring to are not film makers: they are cinematographers. They are obsessed with image and lighting and "cinema", not the actual details of making films. Just getting cool shots

great words man. People don’t want to see the hard “boring” side of the work. They want the exciting stuff. In fact, I tried showing the early stages (writing, prepro, scouting etc) of making a short film but not many people gave a shit. 😂

Omg finally a genuine filmmaker. It boils my blood to see youtubers calling themselves "filmmakers" when in reality they have absolutely ZERO short or feature film under their names. Crreating content is NOT filmmaking.

absolutely right 🙌🏽 I only do it as a hobby and I find it extremely difficult. A lot of people think I'll buy a camera, take two or three short fancy sunset shots and call myself a filmmaker. There's a reason for each area to have extra professionals. 🙈 I've been wanting to make a tiny scifi film for over a year and things are constantly being postponed, the weather isn't right, the location has to be changed, the light isn't right, the actors don't have time and, sound isn’t right and those are just a few things. Above all, everyone says storytelling is everything, but most of them don't have a story :/ No, it's just about, the camera does it, this mic is better than that, my CameraRig XY and so on, too bad :(

...and the one man band model doesn't really work professionally. I did it for years but could only get to certain level, maybe 35K a year or so

Yepp. This needed to be said.

Totally agree with everything you’ve said here and I think it’s an important dose of reality people should watch. Even in the corporate space, there’s now many who can afford quality camera gear but don’t take the proper time and effort to learn how to use it.

Unfortunately the new easy access to great technology has let people kind of skip ahead a bit missing vital knowledge. A lot of these kind of people who have been trained by RU-vid come with a hefty ego, and a lack of set etiquette, and that's really sad. I came out of film school when I was 18, went straight into post assistant jobs, and tried to get any set jobs I could. Skilled up in editing, asked questions of everyone on shoots about the decisions they were making and what influenced them, learned as much from my peers as possible, and just kept pushing in the direction I wanted to get to. I've worked as a filmmaker full time for the last 15 years. Tools didn't get me where I am, people need to stop worrying about what cameras RU-vidrs use and just make stuff.

Thanks for making REAL videos!

Thank you for making this. I always found "filmmaker" a helpful term to introduce myself with because it encapsulates writing/directing/editing/producing, etc., but unfortunately it's lost its meaning. If I tell someone I'm a filmmaker now, I have to specify that I'm not a "content creator," and create actual narrative productions with screenplays and shot-lists. Funny thing is, even real filmmakers aren't "filmmakers" because most movies are shot on digital now. But RU-vidrs just bend that term too far.

The first thing I started to do was to work (and still working) on building a revenue stream. I have the mechanism in place, now it's time to market! No revenue, no film...

Hallelujah! Thank you for being on RU-vid speaking truth so honestly and constructively. I’ve been raging to my girlfriend and friends for months on all the “hidden” things “they” on the Gram and the Tube don’t tell you about filmmaking - it’s a huge effort that is glossed over. As a newbie to the art, I know consider experience and credentials over view count to filter the glitz and genuinely learn.

I am a full time filmmaker specializing in corporate video production. I am not a freelancer. I own a production company, which means overhead, business insurances, website and advertising expenses, employees, contractors, attorneys, etc. I would love to spend more time behind the camera, but the reality is that 80 percent of what I do is business and marketing and 20 percent is showing up and shooting it. Being solely an artist is not enough to pay the bills and generate revenue. I am a business man who is a filmmaker. I spend time marketing, following up on leads and phone calls and generating and closing proposals for production dates. Because it’s mainly talking heads with my camera on a tripod, I don’t get the opportunity to film a girl in 60 fps doing a backflip into a waterfall. I got into this like everyone else (as a hobby) but paying thousands of dollars for gear and not monetizing it makes no sense to me. Turning my passion into profit is a what motivates me.

this guy is pissed he hss spent 50 years of his life chasing money and not the art, the best filmmakers make sure their art is not there source of income. The Writer and The Photographer in dance

We understand that bro , but u already big time, even Spielberg started somewhere.

this is filmmaking, not the videography bs most RU-vidrs push

I mean I think we've all seen movies.... So we have plenty of examples of what real filmmaking is outside of RU-vid. Solid take though, most of the "RU-vid filmmakers" are just low level commercial producers.

Thank you for this! So many youtubers who show their "set" as they explain how they usecamera and light but what are they shooting?? Definitely not ads, not shortfilm, not a musicvideo... They're definitely cosplaying

yeah. usually when people say "I want to become a film director" they have in mind either being a scriptwriter or cinematographer (best case, often just the camera work) but they don't know it yet.

TNice tutorials is much more simple than I thought with you explaining it. Currently half way through and I feel like I know everytNice tutorialng already lmao

Hire me, I'm working on my filmmaking, but feeling stuck...

oh and don't forget about the hours and hours of editing and also the R&Ds 😃😃😃

Facts right here, it ain't all waterfalls and sunsets.

So far I’ve found that the hardest thing to do is to successfully transport gear from point A to point B without forgetting or losing a single item. On the shoots I’ve been on it’s been a light battery and an HDMI cable. Thankfully the film I’m shooting takes place in my house so everything stays put. But on my producers personal film that we’ve been shooting he had to drive 30-40 minutes back to his house to get an actors hat and another light. Even if your prepared, transporting gear is a nightmare

Well it pays to be the boss and I am not bragging about money but I will say this and this is why the producer makes more because it pays to be the boss. This is why a lot of people would rather work for someone else or just be the actor instead of the producer.

The producer/director/writer part is not talked about enough. I think your content is different in this regard. All the BTS posts about Devil's Fortune were an excellent look into what it is like to grind out the finished product. It is also relevant to commercial and other creative film/video work. Thank you for putting this video out.

Great video! Really important information on the reality of working in the industry. I’m trying to get those points across in any kit reviews I do, sadly the only way to get traction on RU-vid. There needs to be more focus on how to succeed as a business in the industry, big or small, rather than trends and inappropriate equipment. I’m always amazed by the number of freelancers who have get some impressive one off clients but fail to build a strong regular income.

FACTS FACTS FACTS!!!

😂😂😂😂😂😂 about time someone Say Something 🙏 You are The Man Grisom 👍👍💪💪 . There is no shortcut in filmmaking of photography it is hard work long hours it Takes a years to Master . and you are Absolutely right 💪

Amazing !

Filmmaking is a process - it's a creative definite process where you have most credibility accountability rather than financial systems which is concerned about producers job Go for details - if not they will haunt you Pre-production - location casting script clients It's all about making a film - not just insta reels It's all about schedules,plans,details,process,tasks, responsibility,creativity,negotiating with producer and connecting with audience

Have a back up for the most important things in your kit. This minimizes the risk of halting a full production over a missing screw, lens, camera, light... I mean if you're going to spend serious money in a production, then spend it where it counts. Back ups of the most essential gear. Just sayin"

As someone who occupies various roles in the camera department on many sets of varying budgets,thank you for speaking against the myth that’s purported around the tubes

Facts (and I’m only a minute in)

Bought The Devil's Fortune and just watched it. Really enjoyed the movie.

Totally agree. Nice vid.

So true and to be honest glad someone like yourself has told the audience the truth I’m not a filmmaker like yourself but in my industry as a wedding photographer/videographer I see the same glamorised impression of what we do on RU-vid when the reality is very different and it gives people wishing to take up the career the wrong idea which then leads to their downfall and disappointment when they find out you spend twice maybe three times the amount of time getting clients arranging the day emailing checking equipment and editing re-editing changes the client wants and delivering the final product than actually shooting the event never mind the insurance /logistics of the business. Thank you for talking about the realities of the career you have chosen. Gives me an idea for a talk on my RU-vid channel.

Subscribe! You got it!

EXACTLY!

100% right

Great video, I've always thought the same thing about those RU-vidrs trying to sell a class 🤦‍♂

Speaking Truth..

Honesty is great so this vid is great.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯

Thumbs up !!! -that someone speaks out.

great vid, glad someone is saying this

Well many of the things you mention are actually the work of a producer… yeah they are also filmmakers, but that’s the problem with the concept of a “filmmaker” it’s like saying “I’m an artist”.. yeah.. but what do you do? 😅

That is definitely true 👍🏻 but my passion is filmmaking 😉 I have a normal work and filmmaking is not a business for me, but a nice balance that I value very much 👍🏻🎥

I’ve been doing this for 35 years and I can completely attest to the truth you are telling here. It’s a grind to no end, but when it works it is all worth it.

BRAVO!!!!!!!! the must HONEST AND REAL video I ever seen about these reality.... I have 20 years working near film crews, post-production and getting the final result fast inside the budget for the client and must of the youtubers (almost all in L.A.) showing tips, opinions and reviews of expensive tool are FAKE and dont represent the priorities in everyday job. They describe and show these market like a game for pretencious childrens with expensive toys. Your video is PERFECT!!!!!...

Very realistic content. As far as the screw for the camera plate is concerned, I am so concerned about losing one that I carry extras. The lesson of this story is: redundancy will save your life.

Well said, and it is 10000% true. Love your work. Going to watch your film tonight!

The irony of your definition of a "filmmaker" is that it would exclude most of the few people on this platform who have actually been in the industry: Phillip bloom, Matti haapoja and Patrick O'Sullivan are good examples But it would include people who have actively acknowledged they are not in the industry: Corridor digital, film riot, indie mogul, basically all the short filmmaking channels before the explosion of travel filmmaking Not to mention that fact that your definition excludes every crew member except the director and producers (and maybe cinematographers/cam ops) ACs, ADs, grips, sparks, locations, MUAs, Steadicam ops and runners aren't filmmakers either? Nevermind documentary filmmakers who often forgo the trappings of set. By the looks of things you're less far into the industry than Ryan Connolly of film riot and he acknowledges himself that he isn't in the industry, at best being parallel to it. Arguably the only creator on this platform who works in the industry and satisfies your criteria for a filmmaker is Ryan Booth yet the content on his RU-vid channel is closer in nature to travel filmmaking than narrative filmmaking The comments reek of jaded individuals bitter that someone else had more success than them in a way they deem unacceptable. Id wager half these commenters would jump at the chance to swap places with Kolder or McKinnon

Great video. I live in Brisbane-Australia and I’m run my own business as a video producer. I totally agree with you. Most of the time I’m sit in front of my laptop working on the business side. Hours and hours.

...a little disappointed in this one... great information, no question... BUT... there are a bunch of ways for "creatives" to go about it. A new door has been opened with online offerings/outlets... Hollywood has changed TREMENDOUSLY over the last 50 years, or so--with biggest changes in last decade, or so. I started out as a Union grip working 80 feet ozone hangin' beds--no tether lines/EVERY lot...back in the day. You name it, along the way I've probably done it...or been close to it. From writer/director/producer/financier/to... Where I disagree with your SEEMING underlying "message" is that there is a "misunderstanding/waste" in folks just doing stuff and posting it. I've sampled a lot of posted "stuff" over the years. I LOVE that "access" has opened up to "all". I'll stop here with the simple thought... ALL has value(to me) as folks explore/try/learn/"share". For themselves/for others. 'Been repped by William Morris/worked with Spielberg...network tv...and on and on...BUT... most satisfying is jus' "doin"... and learning from those trying different stuff and sharing it. Folks are creating "new" realities...it's all good, man. All you say is true--but...for those "doin'" whatever? ...'feel it, create it... put it out there... one of us may learn something new... Thank you.

Thank you so much Mr. Crimson for doing this video. Say, what's your name anyway ? I feel kinda disrespectful calling you not by your name. You are doing an enormous service by telling filmmakers on RU-vid "The Truth," about the reality of professional film production. A thousand thank yous for taking up this theme Sir 👍. The one here on RU-vid which I find rather upsetting is a series of commercials by this one dude who tells you you can be a professional colourist if you just get this software, and his one day course, and you can use whatever equipment you have, and that anyone can do it. Oh yeah, anyone can be a colourist ? Really ? If this is so, then why do producers hire a professional colourist and pay them thousands of dollars to perform image and density, and colour correction on their features if anyone can do it ? If anyone can do it, then why don't producers just cut costs and do it themselves ? Dudes with cool gear seems to be the norm here on the tube, but is that commercial film production ?