Why I've Been HATING Filmmaking (& You Probably Do Too...) 

Excited for 2024, LETS GET IT!

The landscape of filmmaking is vastly different from when I started. The barrier of entry is now in people’s pocket. Everything is now, mostly, content. Moving images with very little story for dopamine hits is probably the biggest hit to filmmaking and art as a whole. One of the many reason I personally dropped the videographer label. It was no longer a fulfilling role.

Perhaps you might consider that this crazy online creator life still allows you to have date night with the wife, time for the kids, while working to pay the bills in the area that you enjoy. Certainly not every project is going to challenge you to use all your skills and enthusiasm daily, but it's a marathon not a sprint , you are a young man you got lots of time for the valleys and the summits, so keep on keeping on. As long as your family comes first I trust you will find your feet are on the path you need them to be.

What a depressing video to come across right when I am getting back into film and building my production company! LOL! But no, I get you man, and I really do think it all depends on perspective. I've realized im okay with doing things that have nothing to do with my own creative vision. That ofc makes money. But honestly, I feel a lot of burnout things come from social media. Like youtube and all that simply bc less work gives more numbers. Art doesnt get numbers unless its famous music, or a random one-off hit here and there. So I get it man. But i think theres still a lot of room in the REAL filmmaking industry outside of social media for us to thrive. Documentaries, corporate work, animation work, photography, live event, coverage, news, etc. There's definitely a lot of room for us still. This just isn't the niche for views on youtube- its as simple as that tbh. It sucks but its true. Its held be up for a while, not knowing what niche to tackle on youtube bc its hard to get an edge in something while you can also enjoy it as a creative filmmaker. Its an interesting conflict to be a Filmmaker on youtube. Because we are supposed to be the best at what "this" is as a whole. But all these other people are making videos about their other hobbies or other topics, their videos arenyt really about videos. Thats the struggle a lot of social media based filmmakers will come across or already come across. this niche simply doesnt make that much money or views, and our main hobby and career IS the content creation itself. Most people come here and content creation is the secondary skill. They have something else they want to share. So it leaves us in a difficult place of... how do we blend what we love into a different niche that can fullfill us and still make us enoguh money to live? Hopefully this makes sense but its a huge mental struggle ive had for years and is a big reason I havent been able to post on youtube channels for years. There is very little confidence in anythin actually performing well even long term with the niches I am interested in. (film, travel, EVs, etc)... But what i know for sure is that none of us will get anywhere without constantly trying and trying and trying. New things left and right. Keep going. never give up. We can make it happen.

as for me, im just burned out w the whole thing from services. this is why im doing something for me now which is movies and movies only.

I think we should value the process more than the product. It’s about the journey of it all. After I watched beyonce movie about the process I was so intrigued! And I was so inspired! And I felt it, there was emotion and etc. BTS is documenting. So there is still a level of story to it.

I 100% agree with you on this one. I have not touched my camera or gear for at least the last 9mths. I have so many things I would like to do. But my main problem is the team I used to have around me until I was over it and moved on from them quietly. Got tired of hearing my ideas were too big or would cost a lot of money and that's all cap cause I would put up 100% of the money for all the projects we did together. The real problem was that they were more into doing things for likes and views and not the art of filmmaking. and to piggyback on something you said in the video ppl are only interested in the BTS's because they do not want to challenge themself when it comes to figuring something out or learning how to create it themself.

You just spoke about a difficult reality. I have been discouraged about my channel, but realized that I was trying to get validation from what you refer to as the "vanity metrics". My channel suffers from two things, my anxiety about being in front of the camera, and the need for me to be mindful about story telling. I tend to just shoot video as we are out on our adventures, but don't have a specific story line in mind. Thinking I can create the story in edit.... WRONG. Now I am trying to change my mindset to come up with the story first, then film it.

Go crew on a film set. It's easy to have these feelings when you're working on a team of yourself for yourself. When you are surrounded with a team of people achieving one goal and everyone else has a different role, it slowly starts taking your mindset outside of yourself or your content or comparing yourself to one creative.

Ohohoho man, I am SO with you on this. I’ve just moved in to making stuff for fun, I don’t want to share the BTS for all the stuff i create. Keep doing you 🫡

Because the only way to do what you love, what you started out doing is to sell out to ADVERTISERS. It makes you feel like a ‘scam’ artist…

Creative hustles aren’t as romantic as social media often portrays it to be and they aren’t for everyone… including myself (for the most part): After spending a couple years as a freelance video editor, I made the switch to chase my passion in 3D art. Very quickly, I realized I didn’t want money or client relationships to have almost anything to do with my creative outlet anymore. Money damaged my relationship with video editing almost permanently, and I love 3D too much to let that happen. I still spend a lot of time growing my online following, but I have a normal 9-5 job and keep art for myself now. I prefer it this way. Sure I’m not as IG famous and rich as I maybe could be. But in general, I’m much happier. And that’s a success in my book. Plus, nobody is telling me what to do with my creativity! I personally needed that freedom. So for anyone wondering about pursing these creative passions, just be honest with yourself if the online hustle is something you really want to do FULL TIME. Part time? Why not. Full time? Overtime? It may not be what you want in life and that’s okay.

Why does BTS get more views than the actual content? Maybe because most “Filmmaker” RU-vidrs are not telling great stories that people would remember a year from now.

Really felt this man. I get so tired of seeing the same things over and over on Social. Just people doing the trends saying they are a "filmmaker." There are some really creative awesome people on social but 90% is copying a trend acting like they invented it. Online Filmmaking is mega lame FR.

Honestly yes, I can't stand most of the "filmmaking content" I also feel like a lot of film youtubers miss the point and only talk about the newest gear. They don't really ever talk about the many things outside of getting the latest and greatest camera.

Yes. I think everyone's ability to easily make things pretty, but empty has kind of been slowly poisoning the well

Most of the stuff you see on youtube is just paid product placements, i'm sick of it,

You’re always mad and tired about the industry you’re in 🤦🏾

I feel you on making money on project you hate. As I told you before I stop working on Music Video's over 15 years ago, cause I were tired of making money shooting music video and the artist suck and his so-called music sucked as well. Besides I was getting older and the whole music industry change and anyone that put Lil in front of their name was a rapper. So I went back to working with real artist that played instruments and read music, although I wasn't making that much, it was a relief of working with real artist. I get ask all the time to shot somebody music video, and I don't hesitate to say NO! cause I know I'll feel dirty for doing it. Now I try to work on project with a purpose and value.

“Needing to make money is an easy way to start hating filmmaking”😭 that is me to a t rn I’m stuck in a wedding filmmaking cycle because that’s the work I’m getting the most of but I actually hate it. It’s like im constantly buried in projects that I don’t want to do

I actually feel that Film/Media has become sanitised for example movies like Trainspotting and Robocop 1987 wouldn't even be greenlit today.

A lot of things in this world are unsustainable.. BALANCE is key ! Keep going people. Do what you love !

That phenomenon is not a new thing ( Rossellini talked about this). And I would go even further: when you’re decacadent to such an extent that you have no more creative things to film, you hire the best DoP you can find and rely on him to make the « prettiest image » which can be made. Superficial and empty. (DoPs with swollen ankles who think they can do the job of a author-director. Technicians should stick to their fields of competence.).

When it comes to Social Media, the algorithm’s got creators by the short hairs. Now more than ever. Just take a stroll through RU-vid and you’ll find plenty of established channels singing the same sad tune. Meanwhile the “distributors” keep demanding more content while paying less money. Something needs to change.

You hit it on the head. It's a very narrow road between love of your craft and burnout and its easy to start feeling like this and not know why

Matti H’s use of the term ‘filmmaker’ is ridiculous. Just does rubbish reviews of products after using them for 1 hour in his office. What has this scene become?

All these depressing youtubian stories. I been burnt out years ago. I am like a machine now.

if you (primarily) in commercial work this isn't surprising perhaps try if it's possible some independent things, maybe give a try reading "Sculpting in time" by Tarkovsky and "Bresson on Bresson" and "Notes on the cinematograph" by Robert Bresson can't say anything more of a value about my experience because well it's my subjective thing that due to the huge factors will hardly apply to anyone else, but the key differences that I have ASD (and other severe health issues), live in Russia in borderline poverty, etc etc., and mainly had only theoretical experience and have zero clue if I even can make something, like a decent movie or so

I'm a big fan of BTS content. I don't really track creators on Instagram. I look their occasionally, but, not often. So, I don't see that BTS is overtaking content in general. I learn a lot from BTS, so I always welcome it wherever I can catch it. I agree with the saying that you can come to hate something when you start making money from it. My focus nowadays is on creating short films. I work full time, so my weekends are the only times I have to create such content. Developing the stories takes up most of my time. I don't shoot anything for clients or corporate videos. I prefer to spend what energy I have on personal projects, where my only desire is to create and not on making money. Filmmaking, in general, is a lot of work. On every level. From writing all through filming, there is a lot of work that has to be done to complete one project. So, I keep pushing forward and try not to let anything bring down my desire to create. Creating is as important to me as eating. So, as long as I'm able to create something, I find the energy to keep doing it. Good luck in 2024. I hope you find new inspiration to keep doing what you're doing. I appreciate your content.

BTS video sucks . Tiktok is cancer worst content ever People relate to the garbage footage of BTS. I only post the work and notice the same as you it doesn't get views. it makes us feel like what's the point putting all the energy into cinematography for social media. The solution I think is we need to only shoot short films and aim to feature films. A big undertaking that also seems insurmountable and can lead us down the same negative thought process.

I have done this year so many video content for my clients that now I dont have energy to do “end of year highlight video” 😄

Dude I had to un Sub, your negative energy is something I personally can no longer deal with. I used to look forward to your insight on things and follow your techniques. You used to be a breath of fresh air to watch. I see that the film industry is I guess depressing you. I hope you find your way to happiness again. I just personally can no longer deal with it. Peace and love.

After I watch the how it was made. I usually go and watch what was made.

Soooo many gems being dropped here. Especially the money part and the numbers part. I force myself to never look at the number of views or subs I have. That keeps me fresh and young. Thank you for another good video.

100% agree with everything you said. I’m just starting to get back into it for fun and it’s actually enjoyable again

Love the videos bro every video is like a chapter or a page in a book

I feel people aren't really interested in the end result....they just want to know how you did it so they can copy and do it themselves.

Creative Ryan makes videos like this all the time. Thanks for sharing 💯

Nah you thinking too much player

Yup. Felt this. I haven’t shot a video for a client in 6 months. No work in the pipeline in my industry as they prefer to go in-house with iPhones and DJI gimbals then edit for free in CapCut. I don’t really care to shoot much more video. I’m diving into film photography now for myself. If someone wants me to shoot for them, I will but right now I gotta concentrate on me.

INTENTION is always the goal. I remember watching you when you had 20k subs... Congrats

I can really relate. I’v been wanting to pursue filmmaking as a career since I was 14 years old. But now I just graduated film school and I need to find clients in order to make money, I actually don’t want to. The whole internet/corporate filmmaking world is so uninspiring to me. Sometimes I am even thinking about a career switch. I miss those good old days when I was so inspired to make all kinds of passion projects just because I loved filmmaking.

This is going to sound harsh but it’s fair. There is a certain snobbery when it comes to filmmaking especially by online filmmakers. This same malaise hit the music industry and that’s why that is in its own particular shit storm. Basically the obsession with trying to be like the pros. The independent filmmaker has been taken over by the try hard mentality. Forget entertaining people it’s now all about LUTS, expensive gear, lenses, and all things hardware. Meanwhile influencers pick up their camera, make their own entertaining content and get millions of views. Most short films I see are not worth watching because we just don’t consume content that way. Things are set up like Hollywood without the budget, story or talent. We don’t care about all that. Get on TikTok and serialise your film. Break it into tiny bits and we will watch it. Stop trying to make films and just make content. It’s like God has stripped away the barriers and set you free from chains but you all want to put the chains on so you can be elite and better than those riff raff TikTokers. There is a reason why everything is cheap and it is so everyone can do it. Of course doing a feature length film will take lots of time, but most of all it requires PEOPLE! Drama groups are the new filmmakers but where are they? Anyway no criticism of anyone in particular just my observation about the filmmaking community as a whole.

I do a bit of mixed content creation (filmmaking, client work, streaming) and this video really touched on why I haven't been motivated to make anything or be creative. Outside of life stuff and my primary job, there isn't enough time in the day, and the focus on the vanity metrics is hard to escape. You put that feeling into words and I appreciate you for it! Definitely giving me new hope for what I plan to do in 2024: creating and publishing with intent.

Man I’ve only been making a video a week for one year and I’ve really begun having trouble with having fun while making these videos. I did feel you on this one ☝️

This is one of your best videos of the year!

Dude great vid. Totally agree, spot on. Up till now I just couldn’t really explain it in words, and here you are telling exactly how it is. Indeed the BTS stuff is more popular, even shitty phone bts footage do better than some of my short films which have so much effort, time and thoughts in it. Great to see I’m not alone in this. Thx dude. I’m kinda fan of your stuff man. Keep it up, inspiration and very relatable

Really valid points here dude! Loved the point about the BTS films. I often think, where are photographers putting the work they now make BTS How to videos about? I wanna see those photos!!

I felt this! My boy always breaks it down & makes it relatable 🔥

This video relates 100%

You speak what's on my mind being in this filmmaking business. It's very helpful that someone out here speaks out about what has been bothering me. I'll be sharing this with all the people I work with to get the spark going again for them too. To me, a video/film that looks good is easy; that's why I've been focusing on storytelling, trying to be better at it day by day. I appreciate the video!

So true, thank you for speaking on this. Alot of content is just that, content. Its microwaveable “filmmaking”

"If my intention was to fulfill my creative urge by making the thing, then that's a success in itself." This video has been a huge inspiration.

People fixate on the behind the scenes because most people are trying to use free resources to learn the craft. Been a pattern since the early Film Riot days. Like most art nowadays, it's a balancing act between making a piece of art for yourself, and then making one for them as an offering.

Man I've been with you for like 4 years now and I have to start making music videos for my band. I know that no one else is going to do it if I don't want to. I'm thankful for all the advice you give. I just wish you were near Kansas City and were down to do some music videos for a Vampire metal band.

Wack video bro.

I wonder what would you consider your top 5 BTS videos you watched in 2023 that you felt was inspiring for the craft?

I feel the need to figure how to break into the industry of passion based projects. Documentary and Short Film Art. And Yeah I feel you it all feels so forced and digital now a days, like even artistic expression through characters and writing/dialogue.

So accurate. I have so many projects that I've done and were never posted just because I didn't film the bts to go along...like why? I definitely used to love and get excited just about filming and making the best video and now, if I don't have the bts, that video is not gonna get posted😢😢😢 I need to change

I love your pov about BTS focus and getting back to story. So true! You may have saved me from heading in that direction. Love your content.

Well brotha I hope you come out of this stump soon or maybe its time to shift into something else. The term filmmaking is one of the most loosely used definer that online content creators say even though they are not filmmakers. The reality is you can't wear all hats, you'll burn yourself out. I'm suspecting you burnt yourself out. No one can retire on a 401k of music videos, keep it as a side hustle and make money somewhere else as the primary. As of today, there are so many plugins, effects libraries, stock footage, stock music, luts, and cut/paste utilities that an average content creator can cosplay as a talented one. Truly being a filmmaker is a marathon of struggle, failure, and that doesn't guarantee there is light at the end of the tunnel for all. Making movies is not a fun process, its work. The fun comes from completing the movie. When it comes to the industry of movies, the storyteller has more value than the guy that knows how to position lights and generate a look because there is an abundance of those guys for hire, especially in LA. Telling a good, cohesive story is something the majority of online content creators don't know how to do or don't have the talent to make it happen. Where you're located could be a factor as well. It's not like you're out here competing in LA. Maybe that's the risk you're going to have to make. At least you have over 400k subscribers as a calling card to prospects. Utilize what you've established and tbh you have no excuse of having excuses. Your wife supports you, allocate some of the workload to her and hustle ya'lls ashes off! Go to Barnes and Noble and buy her movie producer books, you read them too. Buy yourself some books on screenwriting. Do it while you're young man! Tough love but you need it. Slow down, take a deep breathe its a marathon, take risks, and plan for your risk to succeed. I believe in you.

YCimaging at it AGAIN! Thanks boss fire vid and very relatable

I’m 18 and it’s always been and still is my passion and goal to direct films as my career. I’m ready to put in tons of work of directing, writing, DP’ing, editing, help finance projects for me but coming from a very financially unstable and lower middle class background I’m also incredibly terrified about the financial situation. I don’t have any financial cushion so I was always taught by my parents to just do what makes me feel fulfilled as a person in life instead of just focusing on how to get rich. I do follow that advice but at the same time I’m terrified of never being able to do what I feel completes me as a person, because from a lower middle/lower class background it’s incredibly likely you’ll stay in that area throughout your life so I would much rather stay there doing something I’m passionate about rather than be down here stuck somewhere I don’t like with no way out. Obviously my number one goal would be to get to a place where I can earn livable money doing film but jumping off from where I am is so scary because no one really makes it where I come from and leaping out of the lower middle/lower class ballpark is a tough thing to do. It feels like cliff jumping blind folded with my hands tied behind my back and trying to land on a soft rock head up. But I have a fire that I feel like I need to spread and I don’t want it snuffing out.

Man you are always on point ☝🏿

I work in the advertising industry.. I have not came to the point of burnout as of yet, but I fear I will lose my passion for what has kept me going for the past few years.. I love making films ! I really do. but I fear the overwhelming workload will be the end of my desire for it... I just pray about it.

Reels and TikTok killed my passion for videography. I'm not a fan of using a popylar sound just to get views. Started my career in 2013 and sold everything this year.

“the things that get the most views aren’t usually the things that are the best”, this is fax because i’ve dropped work that I thought would bang and even look back on and know it’s so slept on, and stuff that I put out that I thought was just ‘ok’ ended up popping off

100 agree man. I fell into a creative hole as a photographer. My solution was to learn film making and now I am making money from film as well. With the wisdom of experience I am self aware enough to hopefully ensure I don't fall into the hole (too deep) again. It helps hearing that I am not alone as a creative.

The message in this video resonated with me a lot. The days only seem to get shorter. Trying to squeeze it all in day and day out can be challenging, especially if you have a wife and kids. I stopped having fun as a photographer when people wanted to pay me to do it. I really enjoy it as a hobby and felt that if I did it long enough, I would master it to the point where I wouldn't feel intimidated by paid projects.

So relatable!!! I was working as a videographer for a company, earning a decent living and everything was ok until I realised the job was so consuming I couldn’t do my personal creative projects that I wanted to pursue outside of work. Balancing internet filmmaking work and life is such a difficult thing.

Your videos are great fun. tHanks for posting.....Happy 3rd day of Christmas!

Unfortunately the need for skill and technique has gone out the window with the emergence of new better tech and AI so the barrier to entry is gone resulting in a race to the bottom for rates on shoots. Was a fun industry while it lasted. RIP... Onto the bigger and better things.

Mofos need to just go film and cut out this RU-vid bs.

I agree most people just have a camera and make money from photography and videography but no passion. Pisses me off cos i love videography and photography i would take every camera ever made for free and just shoot movies and music videos. Not getting paid cos I just fucking love it. Its a passion.

Really good points. I've experienced this feeling on all levels of this industry tho. It's not "better" on a film set or for some award winning director. There's even more drama and egos to deal with (and trauma sometimes). And then there's the insane pace people consume content these days. Its exhausting. Sometimes i want to give up on filmmaking altogether. Othertimes, its the only thing i know how to do. Find your balance ⚖️ it's how I've gotten thru some bad times.

YC, I’ve been keeping up with you for years now and I have to say that your creativity inspired me way back and allowed me to step up my filmmaking. We appreciate your transparency brother. Keep inspiring us man. You’re doing great!

Thanks for sharing your experience. For me, I will never be a professional film maker but aspire to learn the creative process and apply it to making content for myself first and knowing that it will be something I can leave behind to say that I was here in this big world in an expressive way.

Really enjoy watching your videos! Learned a lot from you in clubhouse couple of years back as well!

Deep!!! I've been stuck in this rut and delima for 3 years and am looking to put somthing together for myself and I need it to make sense for my family and career.

I'm born and raised in Amsterdam and seeing you rocking PATTA makes me proud man. All love!

I was just speaking to a photographer about this 💯💯.. so glad you brought this up 🤔🤓 Professor YC🎓

So True I have ended up enjoying photography more that videography for the simple reason that I'm not doing it for money Def need to get back to some passion projects

I fell into a rut and just couldn't seem to shake it. I think it was because I was trying to do everything myself. Team up with other people who are younger, hungrier than you, they will fire you up. It worked for me it gave me my love back for filmmaking. Let others have ideas and work on them, I burnt out trying to come up with everything.

I understand your pain bruh. Everything you said is right on point.

Definitely have been feeling this way for a while. I used to create everyday and just had the urge to learn new things but I really became uninspired...uninspired by the music and lack of storytelling as well as people just wanting a quick video just to post. I'm slowly getting back into the grove and just doing stuff I like. But of course you still have to pay bills. It can be an ugly balance

2024 I just want to lock in with the right clients and connections other then that Im cool Ill never let film go because it’s deeper then money but I need them racks right now 💯

I shot a dope music video last january but the artists has not released it yet... other than the annoyances of tem not sharing the wor, it was a great experience. But sadly i cant share it wthout the artist sharing it first but thats my only issue with music videos and dealing with artists. Apparently dude is nervous about the reception of the song which is fire by the way. but, i digress. Wish he releases thetrack sometime this century!

Preach

I am not looking at the numbers anymore because it stopped me from having fun and just creating!

Did you blur out the … Air Max logo? Curious as to why?

thank you bro I needed this, today I just hated some stuff im doing because the money stuff is cool and all, but the things I do for "love" or for a friend, are not even panning out in terms of recognition and respect from these none paying clients. So ive come to an end to that chapter, and the love things I do from now on are going to be my projects like my films and scripts I have been back seating all this time.

The transition into the story blocks ad was seamless as hell lol that quote was deep.

As a choreographer I feel the same way about Internet dancing.

Very well said I agree with everything you’ve said . Awesome video

I loved it when you say that the things that got most numbers doesent necesarly mean they are the best

I felt this man

I think this is just part of Growth and the process that comes along with it

And yeah I feel you on all the pain points of this. 🤣🤣🤣.

Can definitely relate to this video.

I’m not a big channel but I can understand you saying…