Schmidt 1

Cameron Schmidt

Ms. Amanda Tibbitts

Language Arts 12

8 March 2019

Filmmaking

Filmmaking is a career I've always dreamed about doing and if there's one thing I know

about life it is to follow your dreams. I have had a passion for it and create films on a regular

basis. Creating is what I do in my free time. Filmmaking is about getting that idea in your head

and into a film to share it with the world. It can do so much and allows you to express yourself in

ways that you never could before. It allows you to tell a story that not just the people around you

get to hear but the whole world.

Filmmaking has gotten better and better the equipment and things that you can do now

days are insane. In the article Filmmaker is Done With Everest "Today, the size of cameras have

shrunk while the quality keeps getting better." By the time I get t into the career there will be

better cameras and equipment to work with. As equipment progress so will filmmaking and

storytelling allowing me to share things in a better way. Today there are many great things

happening around us we just have to capture them to tell a great story “He took the first ever HD

Camera (Sony 700) to the summit of Mount Everest during the filming of blind climber Erik

Weihenmayer's historic ascent on May 25, 2001, an expedition retold in his film, Farther Than

the Eve Can See, which won close to 20 international film festival awards and two Emmy

nominations” (Filmmaker is Done With Everest). Just by taking a camera and filming things that

happen in our lives can allow us to tell a story that can impact others and move on to great
 Schmidt 2

things. The entire filmmaking career is revolved around storytelling and just looking around and

seeing the things happening around us can lead to a great story. There is always things going on

around us and if we capture them we can tell something that can help change others.

Films are hard to make but are rewarding in the end. If you put a lot of work into

something it will pay off. “It’s definitely not relaxing!” He adds,“Look, these movies are hard,

they’re a physical test. But there’s also a narcotic in driving hard to accomplish more” (Jenelle

Riley). Films and movies are hard but are totally worth it in the end.I knew that films were hard

to make and can get very stressful but I didn't know how rewarding they would be. It can change

peoples lives. Having a vision of what you want your film to look like before your done can help

in making your film better. According to ​Sandy Cohen, “How much he understands the process

of filmmaking and how he sees ahead when he's shooting... There are very few filmmakers who

have that skill, and it impressed everyone."Having a vision of what you want the final version of

your film to look like can help your film in so many ways. By having different skill and

techniques of planning ahead can help so much in the long run because films are hard work and

take a lot of time to create. "Having a vision and sticking to it and not letting anybody get in the

way of it is probably the best lesson you can learn from Steven Spielberg” (Sandy Cohen). When

we have a vision of life and for our films and we stick to it it can allow us to create a better film.

As others try to hinder your visions and goals if you just stick to them it can make your work

more meaningful.

To become a filmmaker you need a bachelor's degree in some careers. According to the

article Become a Filmmaker: Education and Training Requirements “The first step towards

becoming a filmmaker is to earn a bachelor's degree”.​ ​I need to get a bachelor's degree in film for
 Schmidt 3

some careers. I didn't know what degree I needed but I just need experience in the field and if

going to college to learn more that may help me a lot. However in the article Film Schools &

Careers | How to Become a Filmmaker, “ Degrees are rarely an absolute requirement in

cinematography since the industry relies so much on creativity and experience”. College isn't

required for most careers if I choose not to go that won’t stop me from getting this career. Going

to college may give you more experience but in a majority of careers it isn't required. Another

reason why you might want to still go to college is in the article Become a Filmmaker: Education

and Training Requirements “ As a filmmaker, you might come up with the idea, write the script,

raise money, find filming locations, audition actors, and direct the piece”. A filmmaker’s

responsibilities might be a lot and it's good to know before hand because I can prepare to face

those and get the things done. By going to college you will experience some of those

responsibilities and it will better prepare you for when it's the real deal.

If we get experience creating small films it can help us when we get to professional films.

“Here's a success tip: continue creating your own work. With the advent of digital production

and film making, creating independent films has become much more accessible and inexpensive.

Learning how to complete a film from start to finish will prepare you for larger and more

professional productions” (Become a Filmmaker: Education and Training Requirements). We

have to start small and get the experience we need for professional productions. This shows me

that I first need to get the experience so I will be ready for higher productions. Another thing that

you need is creativity. According to Hope Sweden, “It’s impossible to make films without

creativity, and you can’t claim to be a creative filmmaker if you haven’t invested your time in

understanding the range of filmmaking specialties”. Without creativity you can't make a good
 Schmidt 4

film creativity replaces a good filmmaker with a great filmmaker. Filmmaking is art so need to

be creative and put stories in your own way. Creativity is a key in storytelling because it make

your story better.It allows you to put your vision and imagination into something amazing.

As a filmmakers you need to tell a story that can connect with the audience. “ Even if

you’ll have no role in writing a script or creating the artistic visuals, as a filmmaker, you will

need to understand the story you’re trying to portray so that you can create a film whose story is

portrayed well throughout every element of production “ (Hope Sweden). Story is key and

without a good story portrayed to the audience you can't make a good film. When you connect

the audience to your film it makes them feel special and have purpose. Relating to something can

show them that this movie is for them. According to Hope Sweden, “Without the ability to

effectively communicate, you’ll find that no amount of experience or filmmaking expertise can

help you bring a vision to life and effectively communicate a story”. Without the ability to create

and portray a story towards others you won't have any experience in creating films. that's what

filmmaking is a story that communicates to the audience a story and tells them something of

deeper meaning.

To be a successful filmmaker you need to be an expert in your field. According to Elliot

Grove, “ Successful filmmaker know it takes a lot more than just recreating the obvious. You

need to formulate an opinion and become a trusted expert in your field”. Being an expert shows

you that you know what your doing so when employment comes you'll be reliable. You'll have

the experience you need to show them. Another thing that can help lead you to success is being

curious and being able to fit each film together. “Successful filmmakers are curious by nature.

They have to be, for each film is a complex new puzzle that needs to be fitted together carefully”
 Schmidt 5

(Elliot Grove ). Being curious and figuring out how to put a film together can help lead you to

success because films are a complex thing and try new things in different places can help put it

together in a better way .

In conclusion after learning more and more about this career I think I am still wanting to

achieve it. I've learned what needs to happen and how to become a filmmaker. I've also learned

what you need to know and how much storytelling and being creative goes into it. It shows me a

new vision of this career and I'm ready to get started on this great journey. Filmmaking will

allow me to share my perspectives and opinions in a creative way that will connect with the

audience. I already have a creative and curious nature and so the only thing left to get is the

experience.
 Schmidt 6

Works Cited

“Become a Filmmaker: Education and Training Requirements.” Study.com, Study.com, 2003,

study.com/articles/Become_a_Filmmaker_Education_and_Training_Requirements.html.

“Filmmaker Is Done With Everest.” Expedition News, vol. 24, no. 2, Feb. 2017, p. 8.

EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=121779831&site=ehost-live.

Grove, Elliot. “The 5 Habits of Highly Successful Filmmakers.” Raindance, 16 Aug. 2018,

www.raindance.org/the-5-habits-of-highly-successful-filmmakers/.

Riley, Jenelle. “A High Honor for a Natural Filmmaker.” Variety, vol. 336, no. 3, May 2017, pp.

71–78. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=voh&AN=123172926&site=ehost-live

Sandy Cohen. “Steven Spielberg Opens up about Life, Filmmaking in HBO Doc.” Canadian

Press, The. EBSCOhost,

search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=n5h&AN=MYO018439942817&site=

ehost-live. Accessed 15 Feb. 2019.

Sweden, Hope. “5 Skills Every Filmmaker Needs.” The Los Angeles Film School, 24 May 2017,

www.lafilm.edu/blog/5-skills-every-filmmaker-needs/.

Writers, Staff. “Film Schools & Careers | How to Become a Filmmaker.” How to Become,

LearnHowToBecome.org, 9 Dec. 2015,

www.learnhowtobecome.org/arts-humanities-careers/film/.