"If you're not trying, you'll never fail" and "If you're not failing, you're doing something wrong" are definitely messages I can take to heart and learn from.
This definitely resonated with me, especially after a chain of festival rejections. I really appreciate the refreshing honesty compared to a lot of the stuff out there. Good to have another video from you Simon!
Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree, so often we just hear about other people's highlight reels, rather than hearing about the challenges they had to face to get to where they are today.
Aye, nice to see a new post from you again man. Hopefully you’ve been having a good month so far, and no worries about not posting much. I respect that you take the time to put out new videos
@@DSLRguide I’m just glad to see a new video of yours whenever you post. I remember watching some of your older videos back in 2015, before I had channel, and I just really enjoyed seeing you talk about the qualities in film making, and the one video where you talked about using different light sources to get some good scenes in. Those are my favorite videos of yours by far
I loved this, Seb's story at 7:45 hit close to home, I ran away from home at the age of 16 and had my first "this is getting real" moment while living in a tent, mind you not much film making involved 😂but I know that feeling of being in the deep end while finding ways to make ends meet. I found this video very inspirational so thank you for sharing :D
I really relate with alot of what you both have experienced. However I see my failures & set backs as learning experiences along with my educational knowledge.
Great video, simple pleasant stories about the difficulties faced by almost every beginner in their field. I am going through similar situations at the moment and it was interesting for me to watch this video. Greetings and respect from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Glad you enjoyed the video and could resonate with some of the failures we talked about. I love Kazakhstan.. I was working on a documentary there a few years ago!
I’m always so thrilled to see you upload. I’ve been watching you for years, and I love seeing how much you progress every single time. Keep up the great work, Simon. We’re all grateful for you!
So much relatable stuff in here for me. Especially how to handle doing a ton of takes and film festivals. Excellent perspective on not trying to be the biggest failure of all.
Miss when your videos would get million of views. Remember when I subscribed to you like 5 to 7 years ago during the DSLR craze days. Wish you the best and hopefully you get you back to those days soon.
Money is such a huge concern of mine that I don't even bother with the latest and greatest gear. I use my earned money from gigs and shows I work on for strictly rent and survival. When I need a grip truck, a camera, a lens kit, lighting, and sound...I rent ALL OF IT. Even the steadicam op I will pay like $500-1000 for a days work. Rental for gigs ends up costing me $2000+ versus buying it all for roughly $65k+ then I end up making like $4 to 5k per gig...it works out in the end if I manage to schedule 3 to 4 gigs per month. If you are going to invest in gear invest in glass. Lenses no matter how old, will always hold their value. Everything else can be rented.
Renting kit is a really good way to go. If you start buying kit, unless you're really passionate about it, it can be an endless loop of buying & selling.
This video came the right time.I developed an App and i am in a great fear it might fail when i launch it.I have been developing this app for almost 2 years.I am fearing All this will go nowhere💔💔
@@documentaryfilmacademy yes that is true, No matter if it turn up not so good, it is still better than having just footage unedited rotting on the harddrive.
Ngl my biggest failures have been not finishing projects....there are a TON of unfinished projects on my hard drives 😅 2nd biggest failure was not bringing food to a shoot despite being super poor...i promised food but didn't deliver and I *still* feel bad about it
Damn, these aren’t even that bad! I think what these all come down to, and what I see most often from newer filmmakers, is unrealistic expectations. People tend to get this inflated sense of success, and when they don’t achieve it they get discouraged. Rather than awards or laurels or views, just focus on making the movie, get it done, get it out there, take what you learned and move on to the next thing, the rest is just gravy.
I am trying to understand this... I am hearing you talk about film festivals and paying to get your work shown. I was a bookkeeper before I was an artist, and that is nonsensical from a bookkeeping perspective, so I absolutely refused to do any such thing. If you are making the product that draws the people to the festival, the filmmakers as a group who's submissions are accepted should be receiving more than the promoters as a group; at least, that is what makes sense from a business perspective for theoretical reasons to complicated to place here if not requested. Consequently, I promoted my own art by placing my experimental films where I would be paid or at very least it would cost me nothing to do so (I avoided placing most of them on RUclips, though); I eventually received prepaid commissions for film projects which I was completely in control of because my aesthetic is what they were paying for. I am thinking according to how most filmmakers get work, I should not have succeeded as well as I did the way that I did.... Was I simply lucky?
Thanks for your comment Chris. Some festivals will pay you a percentage of the ticket sales. This is how I paid back the cost of making one of my docs. Other festivals are just money-making schemes and are best avoided. I would only submit your film to festivals that have a high rating (you can do this via Film Freeway). Congratulations on your prepaid commission. That's great!
@@documentaryfilmacademy I wrote an email to your friend offering to explain why he never finished putting together that film, because he said clearly why, but not in a way that made me think he was aware of it. He didn't reply though, so I don't think he wants to know.
Live and learn :) Even professionals make mistakes in just about anything, I suppressed what made me happy years ago, I just came out as trans a few months ago and started transitioning in June. I wish my cameras LCD wasn't broken but I still manage to set it up the autofocus on my Panasonic FZ1000 is managing to keep up, I used manual for the longest time so it took me time to get used to learning autofocus lmao. I'm getting my life together and focused to finish the years in the making documentary Antimatter Future. The gender dysphoria was causing me to hit a rock-block with all my creative work since I was young no confidence in myself not happy with who I was. The final product will only be much better now with my increased confidence in myself, and I got a DJI mini 2 to help with drone footage! I don't have to pay employees so my budget is whatever so I can afford to have held off on finishing Antimatter Future to get my life in order :D
I don't enter Festivals at all. Because I know, I will be there for nothing. My film suck and I am 28, not 17. Time to change the career as long as I can. Otherwise I end up under the bridge.
Funny you should post this now. Years ago I watched your content as far back as 2015/16 when I had just started animating and making music. Now my very first finished RUclips animation premieres on my other channel in 30 minutes after you uploading this 😂
I don’t understand why the filmmaker have to pay to get their film in a festival what if you don’t have the money to do that it would discourage me from being a filmmaker how do you get funding to make a short film?
I pointed out in my comments that that makes no sense from a bookkeeping perspective so I never did that when I was working. How do you get funding to make a short film? You find the right script. The right script is either one that you know you can get enough backing for that it can be shot to match your vision, because it is that good.... or it is the script for a film you can make with what you already have.
It depends on the festivals. Some are money-making schemes... which I'd recommend avoiding. But there are a lot of really good festivals out there that will give you a lot of exposure and also pay you a percentage of the ticket sales. Also, some have prizes and awards. That's how I paid for my first iMac computer, through winning best film at a festival.
"If you're not trying, you'll never fail" and "If you're not failing, you're doing something wrong" are definitely messages I can take to heart and learn from.
Me too! So important to remind yourself that failure is just part of the process.
Going on 10 years watching videos here on RUclips, and I have yet to find someone who makes me feel the calm and peace that your videos bring me.
This definitely resonated with me, especially after a chain of festival rejections. I really appreciate the refreshing honesty compared to a lot of the stuff out there. Good to have another video from you Simon!
Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree, so often we just hear about other people's highlight reels, rather than hearing about the challenges they had to face to get to where they are today.
totally agree. the Festival Rejection List sometimes just stares at me right in the face and i have to shake it off and close that browser window.
Wow, I've never been more excited about a RUclips notification. Good to see you!
Aye, nice to see a new post from you again man. Hopefully you’ve been having a good month so far, and no worries about not posting much. I respect that you take the time to put out new videos
Very kind of you to say! More videos coming soon :)
@@DSLRguide I’m just glad to see a new video of yours whenever you post. I remember watching some of your older videos back in 2015, before I had channel, and I just really enjoyed seeing you talk about the qualities in film making, and the one video where you talked about using different light sources to get some good scenes in. Those are my favorite videos of yours by far
It's cool to see you being so open, I hope your not feeling too down about past failures, you've gotten further than most have in filmmaking!
We missed you bro💔
I loved this, Seb's story at 7:45 hit close to home, I ran away from home at the age of 16 and had my first "this is getting real" moment while living in a tent, mind you not much film making involved 😂but I know that feeling of being in the deep end while finding ways to make ends meet. I found this video very inspirational so thank you for sharing :D
I’ve been here since you were a kid, time flies, glad you still upload
I know right. Time certainly does fly!
This is therapeutic. It resonates. It helps me reframe my own failures and rejections in life. Thanks, boys.
So glad! Thanks for the support :)
@@documentaryfilmacademy You're welcome! I subscribed as well.
I was thrilled to get a notification about a new video from you! That was enlightening, thank you both for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
I love your channel. I love the chill pace. Was excited when I saw a new video. Thanks.
I really relate with alot of what you both have experienced. However I see my failures & set backs as learning experiences along with my educational knowledge.
I agree. Failure can be hard, but it's a great way to learn and grow!
Good to see your uploading again Simon, your videos make me want to make films, thank you.
Man oh man - this was delightful. Thank you both for sharing these stories. ✌️❤️
So glad you enjoyed it! No worries :)
Great video, simple pleasant stories about the difficulties faced by almost every beginner in their field. I am going through similar situations at the moment and it was interesting for me to watch this video.
Greetings and respect from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Glad you enjoyed the video and could resonate with some of the failures we talked about. I love Kazakhstan.. I was working on a documentary there a few years ago!
can I just point out the way these guys speak so soft calm and clear man it's really cool
Glad you liked it. :)
I’m always so thrilled to see you upload. I’ve been watching you for years, and I love seeing how much you progress every single time. Keep up the great work, Simon. We’re all grateful for you!
I'm watching after 6 years
Forgot about this channel
I saw the face in the thumbnail and nostalgia hit
The failures aren’t something worth hiding, they’re all a part of your journey. Thank you for sharing!
So much relatable stuff in here for me. Especially how to handle doing a ton of takes and film festivals. Excellent perspective on not trying to be the biggest failure of all.
Miss when your videos would get million of views. Remember when I subscribed to you like 5 to 7 years ago during the DSLR craze days. Wish you the best and hopefully you get you back to those days soon.
I’m still waiting on that trailer Simon… at least the behind the scenes video was top class.
I grew up watching u bro. U inspired me
Believe me, I hear ya', brother. That being said, one of your 'What's in front of the camera' posters hangs proudly on my wall. Never give up!
Money is such a huge concern of mine that I don't even bother with the latest and greatest gear. I use my earned money from gigs and shows I work on for strictly rent and survival. When I need a grip truck, a camera, a lens kit, lighting, and sound...I rent ALL OF IT. Even the steadicam op I will pay like $500-1000 for a days work. Rental for gigs ends up costing me $2000+ versus buying it all for roughly $65k+ then I end up making like $4 to 5k per gig...it works out in the end if I manage to schedule 3 to 4 gigs per month. If you are going to invest in gear invest in glass. Lenses no matter how old, will always hold their value. Everything else can be rented.
Renting kit is a really good way to go. If you start buying kit, unless you're really passionate about it, it can be an endless loop of buying & selling.
This video came the right time.I developed an App and i am in a great fear it might fail when i launch it.I have been developing this app for almost 2 years.I am fearing All this will go nowhere💔💔
I can relate to some of these, espescialy not making stuff for the fear of failing and releif when quiting, thanks for sharing :-)
I know right. Sometimes it can be so easy to quit! But I've never regretted finishing a film, only regretted not finishing one.
@@documentaryfilmacademy yes that is true, No matter if it turn up not so good, it is still better than having just footage unedited rotting on the harddrive.
thank you for sharing that man!
It's nice to know that I am not the only one that thinks I learned what I need to know from the last one and THIS ONE is going to be great. 😎
I think most of us 'filmmakers' are like that 😂
Ngl my biggest failures have been not finishing projects....there are a TON of unfinished projects on my hard drives 😅 2nd biggest failure was not bringing food to a shoot despite being super poor...i promised food but didn't deliver and I *still* feel bad about it
Yea, same here. I've got lots of projects that I never finished. I think most filmmakers do...
I appreciate this video, thanks
The king has returned
Good day gentlemen thank u for the insight!
Holy cow you look like a grownup now!
Damn, these aren’t even that bad! I think what these all come down to, and what I see most often from newer filmmakers, is unrealistic expectations. People tend to get this inflated sense of success, and when they don’t achieve it they get discouraged. Rather than awards or laurels or views, just focus on making the movie, get it done, get it out there, take what you learned and move on to the next thing, the rest is just gravy.
I agree, great advice! 🙌
Good thinking from Seb. Not saying I cannot afford my food, but asking HOW am I gonna afford this and that. That´s problem solving right there.
Failure is the stepping stone to success.
It sure is!
Merci Buckets!
A lot of us can resonate with this thanks man💪
So glad!
Wow i got your video notification almost after 2 years 🥵
That 'Not Selected' email is something we all know, all too well!
Oh yeaa!!! Haha
I am trying to understand this...
I am hearing you talk about film festivals and paying to get your work shown.
I was a bookkeeper before I was an artist, and that is nonsensical from a bookkeeping perspective, so I absolutely refused to do any such thing. If you are making the product that draws the people to the festival, the filmmakers as a group who's submissions are accepted should be receiving more than the promoters as a group; at least, that is what makes sense from a business perspective for theoretical reasons to complicated to place here if not requested.
Consequently, I promoted my own art by placing my experimental films where I would be paid or at very least it would cost me nothing to do so (I avoided placing most of them on RUclips, though); I eventually received prepaid commissions for film projects which I was completely in control of because my aesthetic is what they were paying for.
I am thinking according to how most filmmakers get work, I should not have succeeded as well as I did the way that I did....
Was I simply lucky?
Thanks for your comment Chris. Some festivals will pay you a percentage of the ticket sales. This is how I paid back the cost of making one of my docs. Other festivals are just money-making schemes and are best avoided. I would only submit your film to festivals that have a high rating (you can do this via Film Freeway). Congratulations on your prepaid commission. That's great!
@@documentaryfilmacademy Oh, thank you for replying... I am already retired... There were too many commissions, so it stopped being fun.
@@documentaryfilmacademy I wrote an email to your friend offering to explain why he never finished putting together that film, because he said clearly why, but not in a way that made me think he was aware of it.
He didn't reply though, so I don't think he wants to know.
I'm in this boat right now with festivals. so far 30 rejections, It's disheartening, but I'm not giving up.
good luck my friend
Live and learn :) Even professionals make mistakes in just about anything, I suppressed what made me happy years ago, I just came out as trans a few months ago and started transitioning in June. I wish my cameras LCD wasn't broken but I still manage to set it up the autofocus on my Panasonic FZ1000 is managing to keep up, I used manual for the longest time so it took me time to get used to learning autofocus lmao. I'm getting my life together and focused to finish the years in the making documentary Antimatter Future. The gender dysphoria was causing me to hit a rock-block with all my creative work since I was young no confidence in myself not happy with who I was. The final product will only be much better now with my increased confidence in myself, and I got a DJI mini 2 to help with drone footage! I don't have to pay employees so my budget is whatever so I can afford to have held off on finishing Antimatter Future to get my life in order :D
Ali Abdaal but for filmmakers
Thank you for sharing
I don't enter Festivals at all. Because I know, I will be there for nothing. My film suck and I am 28, not 17. Time to change the career as long as I can. Otherwise I end up under the bridge.
The 3rd one was good 😅
Needs more apple
Funny you should post this now. Years ago I watched your content as far back as 2015/16 when I had just started animating and making music.
Now my very first finished RUclips animation premieres on my other channel in 30 minutes after you uploading this 😂
Congrats! 30 mins of animation is a huge achievement
Nice one! Had a quick watch of the animation. Nice work - I can tell a lot of work went into that! Congrats!
I don’t understand why the filmmaker have to pay to get their film in a festival what if you don’t have the money to do that it would discourage me from being a filmmaker how do you get funding to make a short film?
I pointed out in my comments that that makes no sense from a bookkeeping perspective so I never did that when I was working.
How do you get funding to make a short film? You find the right script. The right script is either one that you know you can get enough backing for that it can be shot to match your vision, because it is that good.... or it is the script for a film you can make with what you already have.
It depends on the festivals. Some are money-making schemes... which I'd recommend avoiding. But there are a lot of really good festivals out there that will give you a lot of exposure and also pay you a percentage of the ticket sales. Also, some have prizes and awards. That's how I paid for my first iMac computer, through winning best film at a festival.
Great subject
🙏🏾
Love This👍
Love this
Нам пришлось переводить на русский, чтобы понять о чём идёт речь 🤗 Удачи Вам в Вашем деле 🤝
I like your mug
Top quality mugs only ;)
I see the t3i
Are you still using the t3i?
Not for every project but I do use it regularly
@@DSLRguide 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
@@DSLRguide I have a T3i myself and am using it with better glass
Здравствуйте дорогой наш друг 🤝 Спасибо Вам за Ваше творчество 👌👌👌 Хороший рассказ 🤗 От Казахстана лайк 👍 Всегда рады Вам 🎸
Do you do RUclips full-time?
..okay.
First