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Screenwriting Goals & Plans
What is the Filmmaking GOAL?
I mentioned before that the biggest mistake for beginning filmmakers is biting off too much to start with.
Don't fall into this trap. The first step is to ask yourself the simple question: Why am I doing this?
To have some weekend fun?
To express myself artistically as an independent filmmaker?
To make a living as a filmmaking professional?
To live a rich and glamorous life?
To change the world by making films with a message?
Look into your heart and think about the things you really care about. There is no wrong answer and your goal
may change over time but it is important to try to come up with an answer to this simple question. Then post it
somewhere that you will see it often.
Becoming a filmmaker involves a lot of time and dedication and you aren't going to do it unless the goal is
something you really want.
You might want to write it out as a "mission statement" as some filmmakers recommend.
Product Reviews
American Movie is an often hilariously funny documentary about an inept,
clueless filmmaker who does everything wrong. It perfectly illustrates what
happens when you try to make a movie without a plan or basic skills.
The Filmmaker's Basic Library has all the top-rated filmmaking resources.
What is Your Filmmaking PLAN?
Now that you know where you want to go with filmmaking you can start to plan how to get there.
On FreeFilmSchool.Org I assume that you want to learn how to be a successful independent filmmaker making
films that are both artistically satisfying and financially successful.
I am about to describe the simple plan that has been used in some variation by most of the successful
independent filmmakers in the business. You can use it as a starting point to develop your own plan.
The Awful Truth About Filmmaking
I would be dishonest if I didn't first clearly warn you that your odds of
succeeding in becoming a famous and wealthy independent filmmaker are
extremely small. There are a lot of other people wanting to do it and only a
few are going to succeed.
You will have to be tireless in pursuit of your filmmaking goals, make the
most of your talents, keep going despite setbacks and find more than a
little bit of luck along the way.
The Not-So-Secret Plan to Success as an
Independent Filmmaker
Step 1 is to create a series of very short films while you study, take
classes, read books, meet other filmmakers and generally do everything you
can to get smart and find filmmaking collaborators.