Wondering how to start learning filmmaking? Keep reading for our 8 tips on how to get started in filmmaking for beginners.

By: Kennedy Randall

There is no single place to start learning filmmaking. Learning the craft is a long journey where you will discover what role you want on set and what stories you want to tell. How to get started in filmmaking comes down to you and the effort you can put in gaining experience. Whether that’s on set, in school, or in your area, seize the day and start learn filmmaking. 

 

Below, we have six starting points to start learning filmmaking. Everyone start’s somewhere, even the greatest directors. Hard work, creativity, and passion will be your guides, but keep reading for our guide on how to begin your journey in the film industry.

1. Watch and Study Movies

Likely, watching movies is what drew you to filmmaking in the first place. Watching films is a great place to start on your filmmaking journey. When you are enjoying movies with friends or family, think about what you think made this film a great one. Notice how they organise their shots and scenes. As well, think about how they have used the camera to develop the plot. By taking the time to really see what makes a great film, you will develop a critical eye that will help you develop your own films.

Take the time to watch the classics as well as new movies coming out today. Director Steven Spielberg has said that he still learns from films that came out 50 years ago and tells aspiring filmmakers to watch the classics. Whether that’s Citizen Kane or Man with a Movie Camera, these are resources that are integral to filmmaking for beginners. 

2. Pick Up A Camera

Obviously, eventually, you will need some professional equipment. But this is your first film, not your oscar winning feature! There is nothing stopping you from shooting something on the phone in your back pocket. As a beginner, the best way to learn is to experiment with short videos and shots on your phone. You don’t need to invest in expensive gear, have a massive budget to start learning filmmaking.

Your best assets are your creativity and what you have on hand. Grab a couple friends and shoot a short film. All you need is an idea, script, cast, and location. Practice making storyboards and getting your friends to act out different stories while you discover what your filmmaking style will be.

3. Start Learning Filmmaking from Experts

There are no better people to learn filmmaking from than the people currently in the industry. Jumping into filmmaking school is a comprehensive place to start. After 12 months at this film and television course, you will learn directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing under the mentorship of working industry professionals. You will also leave film school with 12 films under your belt. This is not only extremely useful experience but one of these 12 films could be something you market to streaming services or production companies. By diving right into a video production course you get on set experience with top of the line equipment, room for your creativity to flourish, and prepares you for the professional film industry. 

Along with this, attending seminars or masterclasses led by industry professionals is a great place to start learning filmmaking. If you are a parks and recreation fan or curious about screenwriting in general, check out this online master class on How to Develop a Comedy Series with Norm Hiscock, a comedy screenwriter for Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Saturday Night Live. Learning from people who are involved in the industry you want to be in is a great place to start filmmaking for beginners. 

 

4. Volunteer on Set

Any experience you can get on set is a learning experience. When looking at how to start learning filmmaking, volunteering on set is a great choice as not only do you learn best by doing, but you also meet people involved in the industry. Being an eager and hard working volunteer may one day lead to a paid gig or other filmmaking opportunities.

Looking on reddit or other online forums about filmmaking in your area is a great place to find work. As well, you could ask your instructors from film school if they know anyone who is looking for a helping hand on set. Gaining hands-on experience is one of the best ways to figure out what you like to do. Whether that be sound, directing, or post-production, the only way to know if it is for you is to try it!

5. Participate in Filmmaking Challenges

There are various filmmaking challenges out there designed for beginners to get some practice and recognition for their hard work. Importantly, many of them are short film competitions, making them easily accessible for beginners. You can find some of these competitions on FilmFreeway, which also has film festival resources that you can check out. Otherwise, just quickly google search for some short film competitions that are either online or in your area.

6. Network

These previous five starting points can offer you experience and a chance to network. Connect with local aspiring filmmakers to make your first film, watch movies together, and compete in challenges. As well, your instructors and peers at film school are an incredibly valuable resource. The person sitting next to you in your class could be your future business partner! Further, your instructors may pass along news of job opportunities and internships that could be of interest to their students. Never estimate the power of word of mouth!

Overall, we hope that these six tips will be the push you need to start learning filmmaking. All famous filmmakers were sitting where you once were, deciding how to get started. The path to becoming an award-winning filmmaker and seeing your dreams come alive on screen is not a clear cut one. However, with creativity and drive to succeed, there is nothing that can stop you.

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Wondering how to become a professional screenwriter? Keep reading for nine tips on how to get your start in the screenwriting industry. 

By: Rachel Kim

So we hear you dream of becoming a professional screenwriter. You’re vibrating with ideas and you ardently long to see your stories come to moving, breathing, audio-visual life. You want your screenplays to join the annals of Oscar winners like Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Network and Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite or like Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds (which didn’t win Best Original Screenplay but was so popular, it was sold as a paperback in bookstores!).

But where do you begin? How do you become a professional screenwriter?

The short answer is with a lot of work and perseverance. But you already knew that. Besides, you have enough passion and coffee to fuel you through it.

If you’re serious about a career in screenwriting, keep reading for the long answer in our guide on how to become a professional screenwriter.

Amateur VS. Professional Screenwriters

All professional screenwriters were once amateurs. In fact, the very best professionals still carry the spark—the love of storytelling and the craft—that they had when they first began. Everything else they learned and developed on the way.

To become a professional screenwriter, it requires certain skills, knowledge, and perception that hobbyists don’t necessarily need. Professionals know how to analyze their own work, see what worked and what didn’t, and adjust their processes to produce better writing. They also know how to accept, evaluate, and use feedback as well as provide constructive feedback for others.

The ability to work collaboratively with others is especially crucial for TV writers who spend most of their time hashing it out as a group in the writer’s room. Get a sneak peak of what happens in a TV writers room here.

How to Become a Professional Screenwriter

1. Master Standard Formatting

If you read the Inglourious Basterds screenplay, you’ll notice interesting quirks and breaks from screenplay conventions. But that’s only allowed because it was written by Quentin Tarantino. Since you aren’t Tarantino, such deviations are only going to hurt your script’s chances of even getting read. It’s best to make standard formatting second nature to you, at least until you hit it big.

2. Sign Up for Masterclasses

Attending a masterclass is a great way to get a taste of structured instruction as well as inspiration from highly-experienced and successful screenwriters in the industry. Many masterclasses (like the upcoming “How to Develop a Comedy Series” masterclass with Emmy-Award winning screenwriter Norm Hiscock) are held online, making them more affordable and accessible for all.

3. Join a Writer’s Group

As already said above, a professional writer needs to be able to work with others, whether that means exchanging feedback or working collaboratively on a single project. Writers aren’t exactly known for their social prowess but, like working out a muscle, repeated practice will take you a long way. Joining a group of writers to share your work, give and receive critique, and even offer support in each other’s creative journeys will prepare you for a professional screenwriter’s life.

4. Use Specialized Screenwriting Software

The tool doesn’t make the artist but it can sure make your life easier. Professional screenwriters do create their work in specialized screenwriting software because it makes formatting easier and provides a clean space to write without distractions.

The industry standard software is Final Draft, used by 95% of studios including Netflix, Paramount, ABC, Pixar, and more. Though it is fairly pricey, it only requires a one-time payment and a provides 30-day trial.

Alternate options include:

• One-time payment: Fade In, Movie Magic Screenwriter
• Subscription: Celtex, WriterDuet, Scrivener
• Freemium: Arc Studio Pro, KitScenarist.
• Free/Open-source: Trelby

Maybe your word processor of choice is good enough for you now, but it’s worth learning how to use Final Draft at least so you can confidently integrate into the industry’s practices.

5. Read Screenplays

All writers need to read other works by better writers. As a screenwriter who loves film, it isn’t enough to watch movies. You have to read the screenplays to understand your craft or else you run into the pitfall of writing screenplays that feel off.

For example: dialogue. Dialogue that works too hard to mimic real life, or to mimic the way an actor might deliver it onscreen, doesn’t flow well on the page. Reading and writing have their own conventions and you need a good grasp of them to properly and skillfully engage the reader.

Moreover, it’s important to also read scripts by people who aren’t idiosyncratic auteurs. Get a good feel for the standard screenplay so you aren’t unwittingly copying someone else’s quirk. Remember: if they don’t know you, they won’t know if it’s intentional or a mistake.

6. Write & Rewrite & Rewrite & Rewrite

Okay, so this one is a no-brainer. You’ll get nowhere if you don’t actually write. Write an original pilot, write a screenplay for film, write spec scripts. Write log lines and treatments for your scripts. Don’t stop writing.

But don’t just write first drafts. Rewrite, and then rewrite again, and then rewrite it again. Knowing where to look and how to polish your drafts is crucial to become a professional screenwriter. Plus, with practice, you’ll build up the stamina you need to do those countless rewrites without breaking a sweat.

7. Create a Professional Portfolio

Alright, you’ve written and rewritten and now you’ve got a good pile of completed scripts. It’s time to put together a professional screenwriting portfolio.

Pick out a balanced variety of your BEST original and spec scripts or feature film screenplays. Add in your resume, cover letter, and—if you’re lucky enough to have industry contacts—recommendation letters. Make sure your digital portfolio is easy to navigate and your files are labeled and presented neatly.

8. Submit to Screenwriting Fellowships, Grants, & Competitions

Getting started in the competitive screenwriting field can be hard, especially without connections. However, submitting to programs like the Academy Nicholl Fellowships or the Sundance Screenwriters Lab gives you a chance to get your work produced, secure an agent, receive mentorship, and/or built a network. Check out some screenwriting contests that can launch you career here.

9. Commit to Your Screenwriting Career

Committing to your career means putting your time, energy, and money where your mouth is. Invest in yourself by taking courses, meeting and workshopping with other writers, seeking resources, attending events, or enrolling in a professional screenwriting program. Take your dreams seriously so others will take you seriously too.

Advantages of Attending a Professional Screenwriting Program

Enroling in a film school or a screenwriting course is a big but highly valuable investment. The difference is like journeying down a uneven dirt road versus a paved street. Schools provide the infrastructure in which you can focus on your writing while maintaining a clear understanding of where you need to go.

A proper professional screenwriting education provides:

• Mentorship from industry professionals
• Opportunities to network
• Organized education in creative theory and industry standards
• A springboard into the industry
• A diverse portfolio
• Experience working in a collaborative writing environment
• and more…

It’s also worth looking for a screenwriting course like InFocus’ Writing For Film + Television Program that emphasizes a writer’s room environment so students are familiar and comfortable collaborating with other writers and know what to expect before even entering the industry.

Another top asset found in school is your fellow classmates. Your peers will be your first network of screenwriting professionals as you enter the industry together. Creating connections with industry mentors and classmates alike is an invaluable advantage unique to the educational space.

Hopefully you now have a clearer idea of the path to become a professional screenwriter. If you’re considering attending a screenwriting program or even just have questions, our admissions advisors are always happy to chat.

The greatest screenwriters of our time started where you are now, so trust in your passion and invest in yourself. We can’t wait to see you become the next screenwriting superstar!

 

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