10 Years of REAL Filmmaking Advice in 15 Minutes

[@chipcurry]

I've been making all kinds of documentaries for 40 years now. A few nicely funded, lots of lower funding, but definitely, I'm doing good work, and in the business. The best advice I ever got, and by the way, your advice is all excellent, but my best advice was from an informational interview I did with a film school teacher. He said "there are no available jobs for what you want to do, you have to create your own." And that gave me the feeling of empowerment and I took over.

[@ekim5099]

Great advice, and so true!

[@mejasiu]

I think this is true in any career

[@elgrau]

Can confirm, you never feel like you "made it". I've worked for the biggest brands, made good money, and still never feel like I made it.

[@rickbiessman6084]

That's so weird. But good to know.

[@hidicproductions4849]

Hello Luc. I want to thank you. Because of your videos and advices, I did something I never had done before: Being persistent and writing that one mail, even if the last wasn't answered. In one of your videos you explained how you got that one documentary-job. By asking. And asking. And asking again. I always thought "Na, not a good idea. Don't annoy the busy, important people..." I am shy and a introvert. I don't run around and tell everyone how cool I am and what awesome projects I make. Not like the others at filmschool here. But my heart beats for some topics, like paleontology and next year I will have to finish my bachelor-film. To get paleontologist in front of the camera, you have to do much work. Their trust isn't gained easily. And here in Germany the people are a bit different than in the US. A bit more harsh and likely to say no for no reason. I wrote many mails, especially to one exhibition, that covers the subject of my film. And nothing happened. And I asked again. And again. "Someone will call me", they wrote back. Again, nothing. For weeks, silence. I was about to give up. But then I remembered, what you did, to get that job. I don't know, was it National Geographic? You waited two weeks and wrote the next mail. And so did I. And today I got the call. The scientists who is behind this famous exhibition did not seemed interested at first, until he realized my love for paleontology and his subject, felt my fire. I think, he first thought "Ah, another student who just wants to make a video for KZbin." But I am different, paleontology is my topic, I am so deep into that science and he seemed to realize it. What I needed was a foot in the door. And with your small advice, small but very helpful, I achieved that. Now I don't even get access to premium fossils to film and experts with deep knowledge for interviews. It's maybe possible to get no other than Sir David Attenbourough as the english narrator for my film, because the paleontologist is in contact with him through his book. This will be hard work and I will have to crack many brainnuts, to get to the end of the production. But I got the first step done and thats why I write you all of this: Without your channel and your insights into documentaryfilm-production, I wouldn't have achieved this. Thank you, Luc. I am very glad, your youtube-channel exists. Without your videos this dream-bachelors project maybe would not be possible.

[@LucForsyth]

This is really great to hear, thanks for sharing! It really is the only thing that works: making stuff, reaching out to people, sharing your work, and then repeating. It’s always talk about Lucky Breaks, and that’s what makes this process so frustrating for people. Most people will hear my story about Nat Geo and think “well lucky you, but what about me?”, and then take no steps themselves. You did the hard part, which is actually taking action, and when done consistently over a long time line, you get results! I’m very happy for you and remember - this is only the start.

[@hidicproductions4849]

@@LucForsyth Yep. But I have to say, that this wasn't easy. Writing this next mail always feels wrong and gives you that impression of yourself, that you are annoying. But I see why it's needed. There are many people out there, who want to work in this field and the contacts need to filter those, who give up after the first unanswered mail and those, who try it as often as they need, to succeed. It isn't something I like, but I feel more comfortable to do it again, because now I saw, that it works. It's like climbing. You will never know, if you could beat that rock, if you don't try it. And try it again. And again. Until you stand on it's top.

[@mikefeatherston4078]

Strike while the iron is hot is about taking action when the opportunity presents itself. It is a very old piece of advice from metal working that simply points out that you can't make a horse shoe without heating the iron and hammering it into shape, so you strike while the iron is red hot. Your point about most lucky breaks come after much work is already done is very similar to this. Timing is a key factor, taking advantage of that timing and opportunity is another, but you are absolutely correct in that a creator has to put in the work to help bring about the opportunities. (Hope that makes sense.)

[@briano6115]

"... 'mo money, 'mo problems..." That can never be understated. As for the "big" gear ... have you ever addressed the rent-vs-own for the top shelf stuff if it is required? There are several gear shops across the country who drop ship. Thanks for the good work here, Luc. Cheers.

[@dissolution]

Oh man, "achieving your goals doesn't feel like you thought it would" - this is just life advice for everyone. It's so true. You'll have your biggest triumph ever and then the next day is back to normal.

[@BrunoPozo4Real]

You would absolute crush it on Linkedin. I really appreciate the level of thinking you provide in this career. You say it better than I ever could, Keep it up Luc!

[@Joshua-McField]

i think stirking while the iron is hot has to do with blacksmithing as it would be harder to mold the iron if you strike it when it cold/ cooled off. Also im pretty sure there its a technique to keep the iron hot by striking it. but referring the expession back to blacksmithing i think i means to take advantage of opportunities before you while they are there because same way the blacksmith's iron will cool off opportunities can be missed

[@seanlizama]

This is correct!

[@patrickcasella]

Your analogy about luck is spot on! I always think of luck as a result of what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

[@brad_in_yyc]

Persistence is key.

[@rickbiessman6084]

Thank you for what you do, Luc. That first part was SO encouraging for me. Am I sure that I'm obsessed "enough"? Guess we'll find out. But I'm at a point where I know I won't stay in my current job and that I've got to build a career in media (photography/videography). I'm willing to leave a lucrative job as a school teacher because I yearn to tell real people's stories with a camera in hand. And only giving it a year sounds silly to me. It really spoke to me when you said that you have no control over how long it'll take you to "get there", but that you do have control over how much you're willing to sacrifice for it. So I feel like I'm the kind of person who will make it no matter what. THANK YOU.

[@JetForceFive]

Really great pieces of advice. "Focusing your gear" is especially profound because once you work on a lot of diverse projects, you really hone in on what you are talented at, can become skilled at, and what types of projects you LOVE to make. It's so much more rewarding upgrading specific gear/ workflow, as opposed to investing into a wide, ever-growing variety of moderate gear like I did for the first few years.

[@Brian-Hansen]

Thanks Luc! I concur with all the points. Thanks for getting this information out there. When I tell young people that I ran my video production business for 3 years before I even had a camera, they look at me a bit dazed. They don't quite believe me. For me, during that 3 year time-frame, I was frustrated that I did not have gear. But, 25 years into this career, that 3 years seems like a blip on the radar. It takes a lot of time to build this career. 10 years or more sometimes to get consistent traction. I appreciate all the wisdom you are putting forth. Thanks for the great content!

[@josephvanoye]

Exactly what I needed to hear… Thank you.

[@HakimZziwaTips]

"1 long journey [a lonely one] and not a destination". Truth!

[@radicalempire6599]

More filmmakers needs to watch this!

[@SailingTeamTallyHo]

Well said Luc. Thank you!

[@WhySteve]

Man, I feel this one! I am actively creating content all day. Whether it's making reels, KZbin videos, practicing cinematography or even just helping friends on shoots when I'm off. Hopefully I get "my break" soon🤣

[@KEINDIGITALMEDIA]

Thank you very much sir. Much appreciations from Kenya.

[@baerichardson]

Speak It! Network....Network...and Network some more! Filmmaking/Media/Content Creation have so many tentacles. Go get it!

[@Blakepurcell14]

Can fully agree on the “making it” feeling. All it gave me was more anxiety and the feeling of “ok what’s next”

[@alessandrocwilliam]

In fact I feel that most of these tips could perfectly be applied to other areas of anyone's life. It reminds me something I heard once on movies budget; _"The bigger budget you have, the more control you have"_ , just as life itself.

[@rickymcc9072]

Hi Luc, I followed your vids for about a year + and believe this to be excellent advice. I feel that the core principles you speak about could probably transfer to many a career path in a wide range of industries. Hunger or obsession is key, as a driver, but in and of itself not enough. Effort and focused application is vital too. Ditto the lucky break. But on that it can only be leveraged if one is fully prepared (ie experienced, flexible, prepared to adapt etc and probably no prior commitments that hold you back). I'm an enthusiastic, long term amateur photographer, trying to improve my skills in videography and storytelling. I have a passion for photography and film but made my (quite good) living in a more secure trade. I would love to run my own production business with paying clients, but realise that won't happen. Many reasons - not least I have too many other interests so don't have the burning hunger or time to make it in a meaningful way. At risk of being negative, suspect that age (I'm retired now) is against me. But that's probably more a comment about not being hungry enough. So I intend to do what I want for fun. It would be nice to be paid occasionally for videography services, but I'm not holding my breath and fortunately don't need the funds to live. I did many paid photography assignments over 20 years, but never wanted it to be my main income stream. If ever asked about pro-photography I advise almost all to find a well paying (ideally professional) job - lawer, dentist etc that they like and can suceed in to pay their bills and keep other interests as a non income contributing hobby. That way you can usually 'please yourself' avoiding the hassle and frustration of clients who typically don't want to do what you envisage is a worthwhile idea.

[@t-virus7098]

I had doubts about myself before this video. After watching, I still do, but I can put more of my mind on ease now that I can see what I was doing wrong. So thank you Luc

[@markusrydberg]

Great advices here Luc! So good to get a reminder of this every now and then :) Been in business working full time with my production company for 5 years and still prioritize personal projects that can put my career in different directions and keep doors open as they do not require budget in the same way as commercial/branded content does. All the best and thanks for all the great content! /Markus

[@kannmann97]

This advice is helpful even for me who is just a hobby editor and a full time farmer. Things can be difficult and we are on year 4, but your advice really helps keep me motivated and not lose my drive and excitement.

[@LucForsyth]

Glad I could help!

[@GeologyDude]

Good video. Thx for the good advice.

[@Cool-Story-Studios]

Strike to make the Iron hot? Maybe that's like saying, The Obstacle is the Way. Through taking action we grow and the opportunities arise.

[@maddogtank8425]

Pretty much I mean it’s also funny enough the truth if you keep striking a piece of iron repeatedly, you can bring it past its regular temperature just through friction and make it hot. It’s actually how blacksmiths used to start there furnaces.

[@adventurejoevideo3745]

The shot if you in frozen af lake with the tripod punched through the ice is epic!!

[@oospagheti]

Man, thank you for this video! I’ll work to save enough money to be able to afford to apply to your 1o1 program! Hopefully by the end of the year we will get in touch!

[@StephenParsey]

Solid straight dope for everyone. You have to be obsessed because there is no making it and you have to get lucky.

[@johnclay7644]

informative video thanks Luc.

[@mejasiu]

Thanks for your honesty. I think more people need to say this. I would also add that anyone who signs up for your course shouldn't expect you to start making connections for them. I have seen too many mentees who just want stuff without the work. I trust you will screen those out quickly 😅

[@LucForsyth]

I appreciate that!

[@kirkstuckless]

Awesome advice as always. I’m at an interesting place in my career right now shooting a docu series for Discovery that I am very passionate and proud of. I feel fairly young to be here already (27), but I’ve definitely put in the work, had some fantastic mentors and want to continue pushing onward! What I find myself needing more than anything now is guidance on continuing to grow and plan for what I hope to be a life long career! I think the 1:1 mentorship would be seriously valuable to me and i’m looking forward to signing up!

[@LucForsyth]

Looking forward to connecting!

[@relaxwithme3266]

I’m loving your content. I’m about a similar age (a few more greys than you) and can affirm you are correct.

[@abderrahimbouabid96]

Connections is the important thing

[@abderrahimbouabid96]

Thanks for this big advise ❤

[@micahcrews]

"Strike while the iron is hot" - I believe is an idiom that comes from the world of blacksmithing and iron mongery.

[@rafajmesa]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing :)

[@ALifeWithoutBreath]

09:52 Luc, wait! Your lucky break was literally someone breaking a bone? 😅

[@LucForsyth]

😂😂😂 yes

[@ALifeWithoutBreath]

@@LucForsyth Random chance or... [Ominous music announcing a sinister plot twist in Thriller] 😜

[@DanielAVphotomassacre]

The taste of "making it" is only sweet when seeing someone else sip from their cup.

[@TRwalks]

Great video.

[@NivBetsalel]

I just really love your channel.

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you so much!

[@cheffs6598]

Hi Luc! I"ve read your ebook. I really enjoyed & learn a lot from your early days learning the ropes. I felt like I was witnessing the entire scene in the chapter (my fav chapter btw) that you asked for an allen key to build the camera rig and the Director responses to that had got me like ohhh snap!!🤣🤣..thank you for sharing all those valuable lessons Luc!

[@LucForsyth]

My pleasure! Really glad you liked it.

[@HumblyNeil]

I can confirm that the lockdowns was a make/break it time. My career died just as I was pivoting into film. I had just moved country and invested heavy on the move and while I had 6 months of work I had been carefully nuturing into place it all got cancelled (never count on unearned money). My shoe in the door with a doc in Eastern Europe on a university funded research project all got paused indefinitely. My equipment upgrade money got spent to keep me going.... By the time everything was over I was too broke even to get myself out again. While i'm doing ok now, i'm too affraid to go full in on photography/film until i'm far more economically stable.

[@inframe-brooklyn993]

Ya it doesn't matter where you are in your career imposter syndrome is a real thing. You are so right about the networking thing. I hate it. Have always hated it. I am told I am good at it, part of being a good documentary filmmaker is being able to talk to just about anyone. I still hate it though. On my current Doc (which thank heavens is almost done) being about climate change, networking has literally made the film happen. Everyone in the climate change world knows everyone else and I only got some of the amazing people I did get was through networking with the people I got to myself. Now with the end in sight , all of these people are talking about the film on their social media platforms because I literally reached out to all of them again, personal emails, Google and Zoom calls. Its your passion as a doc filmmaker that rubs off on the people around you and they can tell whether you are phoning it in or are really there for the story. But without networking like Luc said , you can sit in your basement watching your film because no one is ever going to see it . Another great and informative video Luc!

[@mediaflmcreation]

"perfecting my nodes in resolve"... bro gtf out my system!!!!!!! LOL!!! Been more to say Noding a good processing in it and making sure my videos improve with each edit and yea... you got me on that one. That's me. Fartin around because I'm getting discouraged because seems like nobody out here is even willing to take $100 to help their business and everything else i want to go too is a good distance and no gas money! Just in a really screwed spot right now. Good call tough man I agree

[@Murdalizer_studios]

For anything you do; if you don't have passion you don't have energy, if you don't have energy, you have nothing.

[@drake8915]

luc! i have a newbie question, is it better to have 1 best camera money i can buy or 2 fine cameras for multicamera setups

[@jhilmiliqueen]

Thank you. Do you have any special advice for women who want to become filmmakers? Especially women who are not able to travel due to family duties and stuff. Sorry to sound regressive. Thank you.

[@theFrostySurvivor]

Blacksmithing saying....striking while the iron is hot

[@maniravandi5983]

Do you think dropping out of high school to pursue filmmaking is a bad idea? Knowing that person only wants to do filmmaking...

[@Alexzarfatifilms]

Hmm

[@EnzeXiang]

1:33 is this in Yushu？ It looks pretty familiar to me😂

[@rajanundlall7959]

Great advice

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you!

[@pierrew1532]

As for our Kenyan fellow at 8:00 , 25 shorts, in 1 1/2 yr, is actually fine as a "start up struggle"...I've seen way slower/worse 😅

[@alphafilms_at]

agree

[@charlzballon8298]

More money more problema. If you aint Got nothing you aint Got nothing to loose.

[@jahosaphat]

Live and learn I guess.

[@babyguey340]

You forgot nepotism. If you’re not somebodies niece or nephew good luck.

[@fredrm6023]

Do Mentorships really work, I don't know but do they make alot of money. Yes they do.

[@Asyouwere]

RIP Angus Cloud. Is it appropriate to use a recently deceased person in a meme?

[@BrianEckComedy]

Iron like you’re making a sword

[@RemlichtFilm]

There is something strange about a professional filmmaker giving advise on how to become a filmmaker while promoting his business of helping people become a filmmaker

[@mahkyehayden1492]

I agree, however I'm a filmmaker studying at university and his channel is one of the best free resources while being full of self-promotion. He is more honest about gear and how the industry works than other accounts. That being said, I definitely don't think he makes videos for the love of the craft. It is an AD and feel can feel like that at times.

[@RemlichtFilm]

Yeah, I like his channel too and thinks there is great information on it.I do wonder whena someone is stil a filmmaker or really a KZbinr selling its stuff .

[@naturesessions.studio]

Take it all with a grain of salt but he was not always doing this mentorship thing. He built the KZbin channel for years with solid useful advice.

[@CAMAS_7]

If someone doesn’t give me an FX9 quick, 😅I’ll never make it.