6 Dirty Secrets Filmmakers Never Talk About

[@LucForsyth]

What dirty secrets have you found out on your filmmaking journey? Let me know!

[@Achimotastar]

Buying the newest and most up to date gear is not really necessary, I fell for that in the begining.

[@jummi4495]

Make contracts and make your customers pay 30% in advance!

[@olitography]

The job you do is the job youll get more of

[@workinprogress2077]

Marry a wealthy partner....., This isa huge secret you never hear about

[@rockrecordreport7136]

@@workinprogress2077 Or just sleep with them, you need not always marry.

[@Brian-Hansen]

My dirty secret contribution: your camera model does not mean what you think it means. 90% of clients do NOT care what you are shooting on. It is only other shooters that do, and even then, the other shooters care more about what THEY are shooting on, not what YOU are shooting on. Shoot with whatever you want, and stick with it so you can actually learn it.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks Brian!

[@HeresMo]

Yeah I saw someone at a party shooting with an A7iii and a Ronin S last week. Young guy prob just starting, so I asked him and made his day that there was someone who knew what gear he had. I used to wish people knew my gear when I was starting out, then they'd know how awesome it was, but I guess you learn to show the clients in the end result instead and they think it's the gear, not the hours put in to grow as a filmmaker.

[@AfricanFilmmaker]

Very true, I shot a feature film with an 8yrs old camera the canon c100 mark 2, the film in selected in few festivals and tickets are on sale for screening in my city.most of my fellow filmmakers looked me down when I shared the idea with them.

[@Brookssmedia]

This is so true. I never had a client even ask what camera am I using. Once you sell them on the pitch and project nothing else really matters at that point. They trusted you enough to pay you already so they already know whatever camera you have will be good quality.

[@AaronPendergastphoto]

Same with drones...

[@llpreiss]

When working in corporate, I did not realize the value of there being sales, marketing, finance, IT, and personnel departments (just to mention a few) that could be called in when needed on any project. As an independent, I become all those things, and I am not good at them all. So, that was my learning a dirty little secret, and still learning; never stop. Thanks, Luc.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks for sharing! And you’re very welcome!

[@RyanKao]

This is the content I’ve been missing to watch. Thanks for this Luc

[@LucForsyth]

Hey Ryan, appreciate that man! Big fan your channel as well!

[@BertelHenningJensen]

Great video. One small note on the whole side hustle-thing worth mentioning is that when you work as an independent filmmaker having a day-job or taking on shitty, uninspiring film-gigs is still super rewarding. You may work part time as a garbage man or filming talking heads for some accounting company - but you’re doing it as a way to build your own little media empire, and that mindset really eases the pain of doing work that’s no fun.

[@Brian-Hansen]

Totally, you have to do some work you don’t like in order to figure what you do like. And some of the stuff you don’t like might actually be fun!

[@LucForsyth]

Yes, totally agree!

[@rockrecordreport7136]

I have a late night security guard job for 2-nights per week, and the best part is I can sit at a desk (with laptop) and edit my recordings or shoots while I am getting paid at the side hustle. I have two computer speakers connected up, its a mini-editing suite right there with power and Wi-Fi. It's a nice modern office yet no camera on me at this particular spot in the building. Totally private for 8 hours.

[@LottieStevenson]

"Giant money and time pits that you just keep shovelling money into...." Yep, been there on personal projects! Love this video Luc, esp about the lack of free time. One of the thing I miss most about my old job is being able to come home and leave work at the office. But despite thinking about work ALL THE TIME I love what I do so much, and the opportunities I get now are so much more exciting and satisfying than if I'd stayed on staff.

[@DamonCassidy]

Just want to say that I really appreciate what you’re doing. You’re very authentic and it is not only massively helping myself but others. Thank you for what you’re doing

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks Damon, that’s very much appreciated!

[@SimonBurnCreative]

Good sound advice Luc. It amazes me how people who haven't worked in the industry have become successful telling others how to become successful. With photography in particular, it's quite unbelievable.

[@LucForsyth]

Yeah, it’s a weird one for sure…I guess good advice is universal? But does make it hard to filter sometimes, agree 💯

[@workinprogress2077]

@@LucForsyth It took me a few years to realize how difficult it is to teach. Most YT channels that try to be instructional are just entertainment from charming 20somethings that look 19 like that cool highschool teacher you remeber. It always ends up that they leave out one thing they don't think is important but they don't realize

[@ledbullstudios1932]

Every single word you said is absolutely true. I am lucky to be retired and pursuing filmmaking over the last several years. I love every minute of it. But you nailed it.

[@musasoyyo]

My dayjob is being a photography teacher at a University, this has helped me to learn, grow and stay up to date on technical and creative stuff.

[@schuylersterling]

This was very insightful thank you very much

[@brysimm404]

As a 25 year video & TV pro, I can identify with much of what is shared here. My dirty little secret… lighting & sound knowledge is MUCH more important than camera gear. 99% of the time clients don’t even ask what camera I have (and if they do and I say “Lumix S1H” or "GH5", it doesn’t mean anything to them anyway). They definitely don’t care if I have a cool looking matte box or a follow focus rig, but they DO care that what I shoot looks and sounds “good”. Also, if you truly enjoy media production there are no “crummy jobs”. Even a boring talking head corporate shoot can still be a creative challenge (and good practice) to set up and make look and sound good (especially when they stick you in some conference room with white walls, a gigantic table, way too many chairs, and a noisy AC system that you can’t switch off because it’s centrally controlled - - - - which I promise WILL happen). That job sure beats running around all day doing documentary or reality TV work; while it often pays just as much or more (another dirty little secret).

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks for sharing - and I agree!

[@mozaik2192]

This is incredibly on point. Great video

[@AHMEDHAMINE]

Great video. One thing that i love about having your own business or to be full time filmmakers is you really learn a lot in each thing that relate about developing your own business or personality. Thanks for this great video ❤

[@LucForsyth]

Agree! Learning is probably the best part of the job

[@Achimotastar]

Thanks for opening my eyes, still going to learn and do this film making thing. my first projects sucked but still going at it.

[@LucForsyth]

It's the only way!

[@niemandschuldet]

That was a good one! Thanks

[@AmirDawkins22]

Thanks man this really helped!!😌

[@sdennisthompson]

Great advice !!!!!!! Your transparency is healthy and important career advice 10:05

[@LucForsyth]

Thank you! Appreciate that

[@daoudconsumption]

this could not have come at a better time for me, thank you!

[@johnclay7644]

informative video points on networking the team is quite key. finding them is a great challenge. Thanks Luc.

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks John!

[@Brian-Hansen]

Agree! Shooting video by yourself is no fun. I have found quite a few people that do it all themselves. And as soon as they get networked in with some other people, you can just see their stress level go down. Video is a team sport!

[@John-e4p1x]

Gotta say this is a good video. Good info man good talking points.

[@speliotis]

Secret: When working on a project - make sure you have permission to post images or clips on your social media.... If you can, post & keep your friends, & social network up on your process....

[@LucForsyth]

Yes! We already forget to grab footage for ourselves!

[@Maros_Mari]

Thanks Luc. Great points and advice as always. I personally resonated with them. I think the biggest hyrdle for me to overcome is to go out there and try to sell - market my work. I always felt like someone will just appear from out of nowhere and will discover my work and say hey I got project for you, but the reality is that we as filmmakers need to find way to overcome discomfort and get out there and meet people and show our work. Thanks for inspiration bro. Ps. When you in Thailand let me know we can grab Singha.

[@LucForsyth]

Yeah, I know the feeling! But you nailed it - the only is to reach out, otherwise you're just slowing yourself down. And yeah, sounds great ! 🍾

[@DovetailKitchens]

Really helpful. Thank you.

[@chrishilleke5886]

Thanks for this! Great distillation of the real deal - which aint so bad:)

[@jahosaphat]

Thanks for reminding me.

[@LucForsyth]

You're very welcome!

[@DreadinNY]

I love the honesty of this. This shit ain't glamorous!

[@LucForsyth]

It’s such a shame though, because I really just got into it for the glamor! how disappointed I was….

[@Zizos]

It's so expensive :/ And I have trouble connecting with others who already have expensive gear. I just met the first guy who let me come try a wedding. No pay, doesn't even want my footage, just for the xp. I was short on memory cards, batteries, lights, gimbal, ND, audio recorder. Just me the gh5 and 12-35 1st gen. Truth is I knew nothing about weddings, not just filming them but in general, so it was normal for my footage to be mediocre. I learned a lot but I feel depressed at the same time :P I'm not even sure if building up my GH5 is worth it.

[@j.walkproductions612]

Engaging and honest content 👍🏼

[@OscarCloud]

Thanks for the advise- your videos are priceless

[@LucForsyth]

No worries Oscar, glad it helped!

[@inknpaintCW]

Solid list.

[@William_Randolph]

I dig your work brother. The way you’ve established your look is quite unique. Also, clever if you were making a dig at Ali or his style in your thumbnail haha

[@ahmedgamouda]

You never disappoint man !! 🙏🏽 thanks

[@LucForsyth]

Thanks Ahmed!

[@robinbaldrian3352]

Great stuff, thank you for your work!

[@LucForsyth]

You’re very welcome Robin!

[@SaulsUpholsteryNJ]

Great video. But it's the "filmmaking" on a show for instance already the "day job"?

[@PeaLoop]

Great advice. Love this channel.

[@LucForsyth]

Great to hear - I appreciate you!

[@MattAitia]

Just made a very similar video going over some of the same points! I’m currently work in the lighting department to earn an income while on the side shooting personal/spec projects to get more DP work and make that transition happen!

[@LucForsyth]

Nice one. Coming up through lighting is an amazing route, I wish I had more experience in that department

[@comiccaperproductions]

Thanks a lot for this, I feel a lot of people like you mention skate by these harsher truths. I think for me right now the difficulty is letting go of that strict philosophy and like you said getting a consistent day job to help fund my passions. I've quit many jobs both within and outside of the industry because I've hit roadblocks and I'm unsure of how to get that mentality and 'make peace with it' like you have. Any advice? (I am trying to compile and create work for my animation reel so as perhaps I can search for a stable outside job within a preferred field as to going outside of that speciality. I'm a screenwriter, animator and filmmaker by the way. Even there I keep looking at it as a daunting task to first get to the point of making work that could get me hired. It's such an arduous climb. Sorry for the rant, just at a big crossroads.)

[@AustinWestbro]

My dirty little secret is something KZbinrs will never tell a mass audience. It can be necessary to take on personal debt to propel your career. When I got offered to be a solo shooter on a wedding team, I didn’t could pass up the opportunity, so I used a credit card with a ling 0% APR intro period to buy the gear I needed.

[@mtmccornack]

I love the hypothetical question of what motivates us as creators. My goal used to be to quit mydayjob and take pictures full time, and for a glorious 3 years, I did just that with a photobooth.(pre covid) Nothing is greater than the feeling of quitting a dead end part time day job and going independant full time. It becomes one's own identity, However, those 3 years were a confusing time with heavy gear acquisition syndrome while bootstrapping gear and raising a family 50 miles away from my nearest photobooth market... But over time, I realized that what I was looking for was less to do with unabashed freedom but more about cutting out the work v boss power dynamic. Now I have a psuedo day job i enjoy with 16-hour shifts to get 40 hours/week in a 3 day time frame for a client, not boss. This means I get 52 4x day weekends a year to work on my transition from photography to filmography while raising my kids and paying rent on my house and studio, i can even work on editing projects from my day jobs downtime. I've learned that photography is a "compulsion" that will never go away, so I've engineer my life accordingly to do what I want/need, and the money will follow. After this realization, I now seem to have a well stocked studio complete with fx3's, gmaster, drones, audio junk, bells, whistles, etc.... i even have a gimble now (dont fret, i bought used, and barely use it), and I now have most of my high-end purchases behind me with very few gear loose ends... now it's all about "time" mastering my craft, and I'm not in a rush anymore... who knows, maybe I'll quit my job again, but it's no longer the goal but my identity.

[@cedricjouarie]

Great vid, as always! About the "dirty secrets", I don't know if you've mentioned this in your networking course, but I think it's important to be the person people WANT to work with. Of course, skills are the priority, but if on set you're a grumpy, sarcastic, temperamental person, chances are even if you're the best at your craft, you might not see plenty of opportunities when it comes to recommendations. I often hear "be yourself" as a piece of advice, and I think it's true and it isn't. Because maybe you ARE grumpy and sarcastic, in a funny and loveable way no doubt, but until people know you it's gonna get in your way. My advice is when in the presence of others if it doesn't come naturally, make an effort, be nice, be social, be helpful, lend a hand when necessary, chill with others when the time is right, and be dependable at all times.

[@LucForsyth]

agree with you on this for sure!

[@youtubevarietyhour]

Hi Luc, I was wondering if you could post a video about 'getting paid,' I've heard horror stories from friends in the music industry about getting gipped on work they've done and was wondering if this extends to the filming industries? I.e do you have to chase up your pay checks from clients you've shot for? Cheers!

[@LucForsyth]

Hey! Good idea, I’ll put it on the list. I’ve personally never not been paid, but chasing people down is a thing from time to time for sure. Usually not with profesional production companies, but usually a “after 30 days I’ll apply a 10% late fee” does the job!

[@karlshikles]

Did you mention self-employment tax? If so. I missed it. I never realized that my employer was paying for half of my social security and Medicare contributions until the first year I was in business. I barely scraped by at like 24k adjusted gross income and STILL had to fork over 4000 and change to Uncle Sam to waste on price gouged fighter jets…

[@thelazywanderer_jt]

Unless you're lucky enough to have very close friends, most people you acquaint with will want some kind of reward for helping you. So you either need to not be a social recluse from an early age to form those close bonds, or make sure to have money to look for hires. People just don't make deep bonds after a certain age, without some kind of return for their time.

[@MrMolotov69]

Doing spec ads, short films and personal projects is expected in this industry in order to practice / develop a style etc. Everyone knows its no budget and you'll find crew / talent to get on board as long as it's a cool concept which they can also use for their portfolio. People also come on board as a way to meet new creatives whom they can collaborate with in future for paid jobs.

[@HumblyNeil]

Dirty secret, renting equipment to do a job will help you buy the equipment you use... but you maybe won't buy it, while you charge your client for that quality of life improvement. I rented the 70-200 GM more times than i care too think about, earning thousands over the past few years... And yet, i still don't own one, i just charge my client a fee for equipment rental (that ultimately profits me)... Almost to the point that it is more profitable to rent than to own.

[@LucForsyth]

great advice!

[@OuterEastLLC]

daVinci also did wedding decorations.

[@LucForsyth]

Amazing. Kids birthday parties as well?

[@jannisnewiadomsky]

Thanks

[@LucForsyth]

You're very welcome!

[@jan-jans143]

i am inspired by you.

[@HeresMo]

Glad someone actually aired the secrets....

[@LucForsyth]

👊🏻

[@MrMolotov69]

People wanting to get into this field need to realize that this industry is very demanding physically and of your time and is not well paid (compared to the hours you do). Filmmakers making a lucrative living are either in the top echelons of Hollywood / commercial filmmaking (1%), or are making money off of other filmmakers (business people / charlatans) while the rest are simply grinding a living.

[@LucForsyth]

Agree about the grind, but I'm not in Hollywood or commercials and I've been living a pretty solid middle class life through this stuff for a long time now so it's definitely doable...you're right though, it's not easy!

[@chandlerryd6750]

All of these are 100% true.

[@LucForsyth]

nice! 👊🏻

[@zach_blackburn]

Jokes on you. I am indeed a prodigy.

[@J0SHUAKANE]

2:32 wanna bet?🤨

[@WhySteve]

Man, I wish I could succeed on my own 😅. I get soooo much anxiety talking to people. The worst is trying to sell myself because currently I have no new work and have no idea how to get into cinematography instead of the low paying generic "event coverage" gigs. Here's another dirty secret, quality doesn't always really matter. A.K.A, instead of the old "story is key", we now sit with "it's all about what's in front of the camera". 90% of media is consumed on phones and shot on phones, all vertically and uploaded to tiktok. Now why I say it's not exactly "story is key" and more "what's in front of the camera" is because as long as the video is loud and flashy, it doesn't even have to always make sense or be good for people to get hooked on it. One of the sad parts about living in a world where the average attention span is 7 seconds. Less than a goldfish.

[@LucForsyth]

If only we could do it ourselves things would be so much easier! And yeah, I can even feel my own attention span dying a slow death...gotta stay hopeful though!

[@WhySteve]

100% but like you said, we gotta stay optimistic!

[@galileo707]

Notification gang✋

[@LucForsyth]

👊🏻

[@dominicbraccoii8175]

You forgot our dirty secret.

[@mariapelzerfilms2031]

Who wants to network?

[@LucForsyth]

Everybody, hopefully!

[@johnjoshy7036]

Me

[@mrshadow2514]

Everybody falls the first time :)

[@galileo707]

Where's your cap bro

[@LucForsyth]

hahaha, the secret to all my powers! It's getting pretty dirty so giving it a short break!

[@lessimcdowell9897]

5 is why capitalism will be replaced with socialism/worker cooperatives

[@galileo707]

First 🙌

[@LucForsyth]

Yessss man!

[@Kir6213]

Typical video about "success" No one speaks in fact, but only a cool story from life and what conclusion did you draw