What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming A Documentary Filmmaker

Рет қаралды 2,312

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 50

@bobkrist1 Ай бұрын

As someone who spent nearly 40 years freelancing for Nat. Geo publications, I thoroughly agree with your emphasis on tempering admiration and knowing what really makes you happy. Really good points you make here.

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@bobkrist1 really appreciate you sharing your vast experience here and backing up that that lesson has been true in your career too 🙏

@fireplaceinacozyroom2064 Ай бұрын

Very inspiring this video Austin, as many others. And yes we as documentarians have to find our own path, and way to tell stories through the camera. As a poet too, who published so far 5 poetry books (in French), l know that respected poets are those who have their own « style » in writing poems.

@Secondcropcreative Ай бұрын

Lesson 5 is invaluable - sometimes you are hired for vision, and other times you are hired to just be that tool they need to utilize. Great content sir!

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@Secondcropcreative thank you 🙏 glad that lesson 5 resonated with your experience as well

@BryceDocherty Ай бұрын

I mean this, wholeheartedly, when I say this is the best actual filmmaking advice in this platform. Many won't see it, unfortunately. It's not a "cinematic" video or a gear review. But I believe we have to get through that phase to ultimately become more serious in this space. Love what you say, Austin. Lesson 7 is the biggest takeaway I had after working with my heroes. I got to work with Sony a few months ago. Still get depression. I have learned the process of creating is the goal. To enjoy each day for what it is and try to have a good balance in your life. Thank you so much for making your vids man.

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@BryceDocherty Bryce. First off, thank you so much for this kind and thoughtful comment. The process of creating is the goal. Amen 🙏 2nd of all, I just watched your video about being sick. All the way to the end screen.. I fucking love you too 🙂 my thoughts are with you as you battle the darkness and as you take steps on your journey of healing. Hearing your story made me reflect on how grateful I am for my health and not to take any moment for granted. Also… the way you talk about filmmaking and how much you love it ♥️ it’s so beautiful. It’s amazing how this art form can help us move through pain, revel in joy, and process the world. Can we be friends?

@itamareyal9356 Ай бұрын

Work on the stepping stones as an end by themselves. I love that.

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@itamareyal9356 that’s one that can be easy for me to forget, but I always try my best to remember it 🙏

@filmunderground1573 Ай бұрын

This is gold. “Be ambitious with your job not your career” is something I’ve known to be true but haven’t thought deeply about it until this video. I’ve been rushing to finish my first feature doc, and mostly thinking about where could it lead me, instead of appreciating the time spent in the process. Really really valuable advice here Austin. Keep being genuine and honest, that’s what I love most about this channel. I would love to hear you talk about how you collaborate with others, since we all know being a freelancer can be isolating and lonely in this field. All my best!!

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

Wow, I really appreciate this comment. Thank you for not just watching, but also taking the ideas to heart and then sharing your own experience here. I hear you on that feeling of "where could it lead me," and forgetting to just enjoy the process. I feel it all the time too. Thanks for the video topic recommendation on how to collaborate with others -- are you more curious about on a shoot collaboration? General networking with fellow creatives? Maybe all of the above?

@P.S-to9cb Ай бұрын

Thank you, Austin, for the content you're creating. It feels like therapy. Could you please make a video on pitching and grant writing?

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

I appreciate that! So happy that the content is resonating with you. Yes I can make a video on that! Actually, here is a video you may want to start with. I share 18 steps to pitching like a pro: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqu3Z36KntWKZrcsi=l_GA3b5hh3bvzHhg

@ThisisDigitalden Ай бұрын

40 years of experience as a broadcast video editor, these lessons are insights you can’t buy, very good to share this post and points you covered, keeping it REAL but still living the DREAM

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it, and so glad that these resonate with you after all the experience you have

@MindfulGrinds Ай бұрын

Thanks for your perspective. What a great listing of components that help make a more rounded creative and filmmaking journalist. It was great to hear you went to journalism school. I thought I was crazy deciding to go back to get my grad degree in journalism school here in my 40s. Hearing about your position on animal compassion is so great! While I am not a vegan, as we raise our own animals on a small homestead, I can fully concur and agree with how we all need to have more compassion for the entire process of life! Thanks again for sharing. It is so great to see real people doing real things! "Find joy in the process!"

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment here. That's awesome that you decided to go back and get a grad degree in journalism in your 40s! So much respect for that. How's it been going? You finding joy in the process?

@MindfulGrinds Ай бұрын

@@austinmeyerfilms Thanks man. After over 20 years working in tech for the Army and Air Force and some civilian work, I decided it was time for a life change. Journalism is going slow because I started a marketing program and decided it was nothing close to what I wanted. While journalism may not check all the boxes, I feel that it is the best fit for me and the style of client films I want to work on. Also, it is an excellent check-the-box goal for me. My absolute joy is working on things that can potentially impact others. Life is short, and the more we can connect and be part of the solution, the better we all can be. Keep on inspiring others to change!

@Rheilffordd Ай бұрын

I finally caught up to this video, and absolutely wonderful, you speak so much advice that I can relate to and savour. Particularly idolising people. I have met famous photographers, television presenters and producers who I admired from afar, and it was pretty much the hero unmasked, just awful, rude and outright bad people to those who really are supporting them! This is why I continue watching your content, please don’t stop!

@brooksupham Ай бұрын

Your videos are so packed with wisdom! Thanks for sharing this!

@mikeabela Ай бұрын

Very relatable points Austin! Another great breakdown.

@charliegardnermedia Ай бұрын

So well said…. The point on holding your admiration loosely really struck a cord for me. We can old our role models in such high esteem at times when all we see is the glamour of their lifestyle. I’m with you though, I think the loss of community would take a devastating toll on most people. But its not something that’s easy to think about until you’re in that position. Thanks for these videos Austin, your words are extremely inspiring!

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

Charlie! Thank you for watching and sharing your perspective on this one. That's exactly it. It's so easy to see someone who is making work that you aspire to make, and then paint a picture of how amazing their life is. And then, when our life doesn't live up to that fictionalized story we have created about them, it makes us feel shitty about ourselves. Rooting for you on your journey, Charlie

@gleetz Ай бұрын

Thank you for this its very helpful ! I am in production on my first documentary on singer / jazz pianist Buddy Greco and I just finished a 10 minute sizzle reel that I edited myself after learning Premiere Pro ( ps I love editing ) I was very happy with the sizzle reel but then after i finished I kind of froze and hit that Creative gap and was afraid to move forward and really start on telling the full story and some of your steps really helped me. I was even afraid I was going to forget how to use Premiere after stepping away for a couple weeks LOL ... I got some other great advice from my friends who made the Pierre Cardin doc and the Trini Lopez doc .. they said just keep making sequences that are things you want the story to tell and dont worry about if they will work in the final project or if you can't get the rights to the music and footage... .just keep editing and telling the stories you want to tell... Thanks again !!!

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

Gleetz! Thanks so much for watching and for sharing a bit about your current journey with documentary filmmaking/the creative gap. Honestly, we all go through it. I don't care how veteran someone is in their career, or how many awards someone has won. We all go through it. Just keep chipping away day by day and finding joy in the process!

@scottievee330 Ай бұрын

The ladder. I enjoyed most of the climb. I learned as much as I could every step. If I felt I absorbed as much as I could I started to look for the next rung. If some higher up asked, "Does anyone wanna learn blah blah"... I was the guy. I was always the go-to. I was the AD or CD at few design shops/agencies in NYC for a long time. Loved it. Moved to Texas and started my own thing. I only got into video in the last few years. It was something missing from my arsenal. If you are truly creative the medium is just a format. Never go stale. I'm soon to be 60. I can't imagine doing anything else. This was good insight for the younger people you dropped here. Good thoughts.

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@scottievee330 thank you for sharing your journey and experience, Scotty 🙏 so glad to hear you are continuing to w solve and are doing what you love ♥️

@robinbaldrian3352 Ай бұрын

Thanks so much for your insight and posting this video. I would have a suggestion for another video, for something I am struggling with. I am a film student, at the end of my studies... and I love documentary filmmaking and want to progress with this as my career. However, in this transitional phase, I really struggle with finding jobs in this field, maybe also because I dont really know where to look or who to ask. I also dont shy away from doing any commercial work like real estate videography or weddings or whatever it might be. Same time I am thinking, I would love to just work in this niche that I love the most, in any role somebody would give me on set, if I am able to. Cold-emailing doc-production companies and people from the industry also didnt really show results. Anyways, I continue trying to get in and land that first job that might lead to something else down the line, but its hard, I am telling myself to stick to it and try everything that comes to mind, just keep trying so to speak, as long as my budget allows for it. Do you have any advice what to do or how to approach this, or could you make a video about getting that first lead, how to get the ball rolling? Thanks and have a great day, all the best!

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@robinbaldrian3352 Hey Robin! Thanks for watching and for leaving this suggestion for a future video. I just put it in the ideas folder - about getting your first opportunities/jobs. I will definitely make one on this sometime soon, because I think it’s relevant for a lot of people. In the meantime, definitely don’t give up hope! If you love this type of work and are willing to put in the dedication to the craft, it’s going to pan out for you. Keep the faith and be patient. Unlike pro athletes playing their sport, we can do this work for many many decades

@stevebarclayfilms Ай бұрын

One of the best videos ive ever watched

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@stevebarclayfilms thank you ♥️

@popartmediaPL Ай бұрын

Excellent points that you made in this video mate! I’ve struggleed a lot lately after 10years of my career and felt burnt out. Especially Last tip, to remember that present time is something I was dreaming of in the past - so easy to forget. Thank You!

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

I hear you. And sorry that you're feeling burn out. Hope you can take some time for yourself, in a place that is meaningful to you, and connect with inspiration -- whether that is through working on the types of projects that got you inspired about this type of work to begin with, or changing your mind and trying something new. Rooting for you 🙏

@andyhuang5987 Ай бұрын

Every documentary student should watch this video, I wish I could know these ideas few years earlier hahaha, and I would love to hear more details on lesson 3, how do you learn and master all these skills?

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@andyhuang5987 thanks Andy! It’s a great question. I by no means consider myself a master at these skills! But I just try to learn in the same way I learn how to become a better filmmaker. Make mistakes and then try again using the new lessons learned. And also, lesson 1 - asking others who are masters at different parts of business ownership. thanks for watching!

@FlorenceRobbiano 24 күн бұрын

You are a really inspiring human being. Thank you ❤

@austinmeyerfilms 24 күн бұрын

@@FlorenceRobbiano thank you Florence!

@jukkatoivainen2586 Ай бұрын

Thank you very much! So good adwices! 🙏

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

@@jukkatoivainen2586 thanks for watching!

@sagenightingalevideo Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this video! As a fellow vegan and aspiring documentary & expedition filmmaker / DP, I would love to hear more about how you found animal rights work, and what those conversations look like. Kip Anderson films, especially his latest christspiracy, really inspire me to pursue work that is fulfilling and challenging, and not just stories/activities that please me.

@austinmeyerfilms Ай бұрын

Heyyy, there we go! Sounds like we should be friends. Definitely plan to chat more about that kind of work here on the channel. In general though, it starts by just doing spec projects and then sharing it with media outlets and people that care about those issues. Get on their radar that you care about those issues and are a talented filmmaker!

@sagenightingalevideo Ай бұрын

@@austinmeyerfilms Yes Austin absolutely! I'll shoot you an email with some of my work and we can coordinate there. Currently on the search for fellow early-career creatives in my area, as well as stories to cover in a doc-spec style. Thanks for the tip and I hope we can link up soon!