What's the Average Age a Director Debuts?

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[@Chesario16]

if life is good to me I'll make sure to make my first feature film before im 43 so i got about 22 years..it's not easy to be a film maker in East Africa there's no movie theaters and no film industry in my country yet... I'm planning to pioneer the film industry in somalia.

[@inconvenientreality1810]

all you need is to make one and send it to film festivals. Hard if you don't have much money, but I'm pulling for you...

[@Chesario16]

Inconvenient Reality it's not the lack of funding that worries me ....it's the lack of people who are interested in filmmaking... the screenplay is finished the soundtrack is also finished i made it via fl studio trial version lol the story borad is almost finished i don't have the best equipment but I'm saving up for a sony a7iii with some vintage lenses to go with the film's 80's-90's vibes..basically i got it all planned and ready to be set to motion... but the crew i can't make it alone i need a camera-man who knows the basics of operating a camera and i need a make-up artist etc... i can do 4 things directing and cinematography and editing and sound designing but i can't do anything more than that...i need a crew and this is extremely hard to find in somalia it might take years or decades

[@Chesario16]

Inconvenient Reality but I'm not in a rush I've started shooting Comercials about 9 months ago and I'm making a revolution... my competitors started to step up their quality they're not as good as me lol but I'm glad to see a positive change...step two is making doucumantaries it would give me an understanding about lengthy projects...I'm learning and experimenting and that's what counts

[@inconvenientreality1810]

I've made one short film where everything that could go wrong went wrong. I was discouraged for a while, but I'm ready to make another one by the end of this year... I'm learning by making films one at a time...

[@Chesario16]

Inconvenient Reality lol i feel you i had my fair share of failed projects that's why Montage is the most painful process for me

[@SCHMIELSHOW]

As someone who recently turned 30, I actually take a lot of comfort in this. In almost every other artistic medium, you get the opposite effect. Theres this weird, dangerous feeling that if you havent already experienced some success and have established yourself by like 25, you've missed your chance and it's too late. I don't think that's true, but theres definitely that feeling out there

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

This has often depressed me. Especially when I don't half of the must know directors and I haven't been to film school and I'm only 20 with my parents breathing down my neck hoping for me to make something of my life but I'm too afraid to voice my desire to tell stories via film. Even more depressing when I realized that almost all my favs had some filmmaking in their history. For me I went to a film camp in grade school and forgot about film until I was 19 when I attended a film analysis course at my community college which was where I expressed a desire to make film.

[@RenegadeShepard69]

Keep working on it, and enjoying it guys!! You'll get to make your masterpiece, like another comment said something similar, focus on the work, the craft, and the years moving will mean something more positive. For example in my case I have had a story idea in my head since my early teens, I'm still quite young, and I'm decided on writing it the best way I can, I know it might take awhile longer to finish it the way I want, because of life stuff, and because I really feel like improving my craft along the way is a must. So with each year that passes it's a new lesson, a new idea that forms and a new page that turns and the closer I get to finishing that story. I understand that stress of especially "Tha 30s" being a defining point for artists, I'm still a decade away from it, and I already feel this pressure that you mentioned sometimes. But looking at the artists I'm most inspired by I see they took some time to "get there", and really that is one thing that helps so much, to read your influences' lifestories. Sure, some might be early bloomers, child prodigies etc, but those are the outliers, most were hardworkers who kept improving their craft and their "peak" was just one of the phases in their improvement that we got to see, but most will keep improving at their thing until they die. And that makes it all worth it. Like that thing of enjoying the journey not worrying about the end, you know?

[@brunoactis1104]

That only really applies to music since the 60s, weirdly enough.

[@brunoactis1104]

​@@gabrielidusogie9189 Have you done anything yet?

[@JorgeLopez-jd8ds]

Did someone say existencial crisis?

[@wanderingaround4175]

Jorge Lopez why?

[@gabrielidusogie9189]

Ayee so you know that bitch Existential Crisis too?

[@nostalgia_junkie]

im 17 boutta make a masterpiece edit: how do you change the camera focus

[@riotfist9747]

XD

[@Theomite]

*slow clap* That'll do pig...that'll do.

[@samwallaceart288]

rotate the entire camera.

[@rivermagician5963]

S@me

[@kafkamirro]

Lol

[@OUTBOUND184]

All that matters is what you produce. If you make a masterpiece at 80, it doesn't really matter.....you've made a masterpiece.

[@CHE6yp]

Yeah, but then you don't really have a lot of time to make another one.

[@OUTBOUND184]

Admittedly not an ideal situation, I deliberately picked something extreme.

[@wanderingaround4175]

Occidental Awakening agreed

[@mulethedonkey2579]

the earlier you get in the more time you have to use that as a jumping point. It's usually not your first film thats a masterpiece, I heard that Stephen King was a much worse writer than he is now with his first couple books.

[@captaincurd2681]

True. I was just thinking the same.

[@novahynes]

Interesting video! The bottom line, though, I think, is that we shouldn't feel the pressure of our age no matter where we are in our careers. Some are late bloomers, some embrace directing early on. The most important thing is to know why you are doing it. And if you have a good enough reason you'll do it, no matter how old or how young you are.

[@TheRoyalOceanFilmSociety]

I couldn't agree more!

[@reubenwhite2804]

I was literally thinking the same thing before I scrolled down. As naiive as it may sound I think that to go into such an industry without a sheer passion and the will to never give up then I think whatever age you will be able to create something out of your life. Wether you fail or blossom is a completely different matter but at the end of the day neither matter as long as you are doing what you love and what you feel is right.

[@novahynes]

I totally agree. I also like what you said about succeeding or failing: I think if you try at all and don't give up, you are already succeeding.

[@SebastianTinajero]

I agree , although I can’t help but be aware of how fast time moves and how little time we have in this life and although it can be a good motivator and can keep you on your toes it can also dampen your mood every time you look at your age number rising lol

[@reubenwhite2804]

Very true, however it depend upon what you are pursuing within film. Success, yeah time can be depressing if it doesn't happen. Notoriety, Than can be shorter but money doesn't always come with it. Art and self expression, depends upon your standards- if you are happy with the end product then good on you, Live life to the fill. Make films. There is a film called 'American Move' which although there are comedic element its follows a man who all the wants to do is make his movie. Not for money fame or power. But just to complete his dream. I think if there is anyway to start making film or even live your life then I think that is a good way to go. money is important and if time is running out and you are poor and unhappy then I think you have a decision on your hands. give up or stick with it and accept the tidal wave about to hit you. Not everyone succeeds< we all know that and everyone doesn't want to fail. It just depends upon where you draw the line upon what success is. Success could be being a millionaire or just a film being shown in the cinemas. As Yasujiro ozu said. 'I am a tofu Maker, I just want to make tofu.' It took 20 years after his death before his films grew any success. That's where I think people have to start. Make films because they love it. Too many young film makers are caught in the western hollywood mentality that to be a good film maker is to win an oscar or some shit like that to show some sort of self validation. I think if you can find a mid point between internal satisfaction and what you may deem as being a personal 'success' then you just have to let everybody else decide if they like your end product. if they dont, start again. if they do, in comes cash, recognition, possibly even success.

[@wes6571]

"Working up through the system" might not be the best way to become a filmmaker, anymore. Digital changed everything. Theres no excuse now. Sean Baker and Steven Soderbergh made movies with an iphone. Make a movie. Submit it to a film festival. The technology is there, the information is there, it's up to you to do the rest. And don't compare yourself to others. Everyones path is different, someone making a feature film years earlier than you doesn't mean you're behind. And often it's better to gather experience and information before trying to do something like making your first film. Work on yourself everyday, have a vision and stop thinkin about things like "what age i'll be when i make my first film". Peace.

[@SecondThought]

Excellent as always! Great music, too.

[@emmanuelokoye1575]

How does this only have 3 likes?? You two are some of the best creators on this plarform (and CS/Nebula)! Much love and respect for you both.

[@Joel-Haver]

Made my first at 20 for $200, have made two more since and I’m 22 for $50 and $10. I think filmmaking has the potential to be so absurdly cheap nowadays and people don’t realize it. It makes sense back before digital and internet that people often wouldn’t direct a feature until they’re 30, but nowadays we have the power to do it on our own. The beauty is when you make a film for so cheap, the only cost is time, and therefore you don’t need it to sell or become famous, it can merely be to hone your craft or something fun to do with those around you. It’s more pure that way too.

[@wanderingaround4175]

MakingShorts agreed

[@ThePulp0]

It's cheap when you don't care about artistic/technical quality and/or audiences if you are we're talking about movies and not direct-to-youtube videos. Sure you can record yourself, some friends or relatives and edit some stuff for $10 if that makes any sense (a phone for video-audio recording and pc for editing cost a lot more). That means you don't get to pay real talents, extras, a crew, proper equipment, post-production, etc.. Even if you get those things for 'no money', that doesn't mean they're free (someone is 'paying' for that). I don't want to be the bad guy here, but I love movies and what you're saying is a great disrespect for this collective art form, that requieres a lot of effort of lots of people for a long period of time to get proper results.

[@Joel-Haver]

ThePulp0 See, where you’re wrong is my form of filmmaking is not any less proper, it’s just different and less explored. My initial post does not invalidate your form of filmmaking (ie. traditional filmmaking as it’s been done for a century), yet you’re so adamant to invalidate mine. To say not having money is related to artistic quality is absolutely absurd and, if anything, it could be argued that the more money you have the less artistry is involved. The second you have money, the second you take precautions to make sure things don’t go wrong. When you take precautions, you play things safe and when you play things safe you’re almost certain to emulate what others have already done rather than explore new territory. It’s from here that the purity I spoke of comes in, without financial burden, your art has no commitment to anything other than itself, and to see that as anything other than a positive is silly. Having large crews and catering and trailers is a way to make films, but it’s not the best way and it’s not the most efficient, it’s merely the way to turn filmmaking into a business that produces jobs. And that’s fine. But it too often runs the risk of being derivative at best and lifeless at worst. Everyone involved in my films works for free and provides food for themselves, but that’s just the way I make films. I surround myself with an ever growing circle of collaborators, who have the understanding that that’s the sacrifice we have to make the art we want to, free from any stress or constraints. At the end of the day, to play a side character or help me shoot is only a 1-5 day obligation at max and those who help more truly believe in the film and want to help create it as much as possible. All I know is I’ve made three feature length films all for $200 or less each and they’re just as much films as anything you’d see in a theater.

[@wanderingaround4175]

MakingShorts completely agreed

[@wanderingaround4175]

MakingShorts i will follow your work

[@eeweka1]

I feel it's never good to compare yourself to someone else. Everyone's path is different, as long as you don't give up, that's all that matters.

[@user-pu5lm3vd6f]

Great av picture

[@joshboy64]

This was a video that I wish I had gotten when I was much younger. When I was starting to write screenplays and do shorts for my high school, I always felt like I needed to prove something with being able to make a film (which ended up crashing and burning). Not only that, but I remember that Emily Haggins (Who I think is now 25) was barely 13 or 12 when she made HER first feature film "Pathogen"... what you said about Dolan, that's how I felt about her. I kept telling myself "If a 13 year old can make a fuckin' movie, what's my excuse?!?" I even made it a pact for myself that before I turn 21, I'd make a feature film (still hasn't panned out, due to patience). But as I've gotten a bit older... I've realized that I wasn't completely ready or done learning. Now, although I'm nearing my 20's, I feel that I've learned significantly, and I can write so much better, and I've also learned to keep notebooks, which I feel are KEY to me getting a better grasp on my craft. If there's one thing I can say to anyone who reads this - even though I can tell you've gotten this from the video already - I'd say don't worry about rushing out to be a filmmaker, but keep honing your craft. I REALLY wanted to direct, but I needed to take a step back to learn how everything else works. Now? I've got a kind of sizable reputation as a screenwriter in my town amongst local filmmakers, and I'm set to do my first short film in nearly 2 years because of my patience next month. In the words of the toy-cleaner from Toy Story 2, "You can't rush *art.*"

[@MelanieAnneAhern]

So what you’re saying is I need to break into the industry

[@blake_ridarion]

Send your GREAT SCRIPT to someone, who knows someone at an agency. Hope that they'll like your script and try to sell it. Your script gets sold to a studio. They hire a new writer to re-write the script. Its not your script anymore. Then the script never gets made to a movie anyway and is in turnover. Welcome to Hollywood. Oh wait, this was about directing. Good luck being a writer-director, ha!

[@Kabodanki]

As a woman, go for it, no need to be good or anything. Just find a studio that desperetly need to play identity politics and gain browny point. If your movie suck, don't worry it's white men fault.

[@blake_ridarion]

Jon, don't kid yourself. No woman is getting a free pass like that in Hollywood. It IS a men's world out there. That shouldn't stop any woman, though.

[@ahajordon001]

I'm 21 and have been working at a studio for 2 years... What I've learnt is that if you work hard people will notice, and you'll get offered different jobs.

[@skateordie002]

Jon Fuck off.

[@lwanco1018]

I'm surprised you didn't mention that Edgar Wright directed Dead Right when he was only 18.

[@suncu91]

wasn't he a roommate with Tarantino?

[@mattsyl]

They're from and live in different continents so I'm gonna wager no.

[@NickOwens]

'Dead Right' is only 40-ish minutes, so if we go by 'A Fistful of Fingers', his first feature-length film, then he was still the young age of 21.

[@AgsmaJustAgsma]

Don Coscarelli directed his debut film, Jim the World's Greatest, at age 18 and financed by his parents, but it wasn't released until he was 21 years old. Not only that but it was distributed by a major Hollywood studio, Universal. It's one unusual standout case imo.

[@humanexperiment5644]

@@mattsyl also like, at least two decades apart in age

[@Screened]

Huh I didn't know I needed to watch this

[@anthonycorcino6700]

The average age for a director is the day you decide to pick up a camera and start filming

[@dancortes8806]

Never let age stop you. Some directors never even got on the map well into their 40's and 50's (e.g. Ang Lee, Ridley Scott, and Alejandro Inarritu). So as much as it is essential to make a film it important to have resonance with work.

[@jwheeler1106]

The important takeaway here is not to get discouraged, regardless of the age you are make a film, think about the ideas you have, use some ingenuity and figure out how to make it with the resources at your disposal.

[@auxiliolacouture1221]

Claire Denis was 42 when she directed her first feature film.

[@CunningCondor]

When we're in our early 20s, we feel like we need to hurry and get our life going as if we only have a little bit of time in our lives. But around the age of 40ish, we start to feel as if we have all the time in the world.

[@achantabharathbabu5300]

True

[@GamingGeeseDnDLivePresents]

Dude I live for your uploads, this is definitely one of the best channels on KZbin

[@multilegolover]

You are making some of my favorite content on KZbin, and your inspired videos are pushing the boundaries of the video essay genre. Keep up the great work!

[@BrandonWalowitz]

Just make your movie.

[@popflicktionedits3256]

Couldn’t agree more, why be obsessed with finding the average age other directors debut when the point of creativity is to be your own director

[@dekelushpiz7762]

Awesome video! Great way of leaving a video that people will look back at one day

[@eldermedia9885]

I've been so conscious about this since high school, then film school. Thanks for bringing in the context and stats and steadying my nerves!

[@JuanIII]

Your videos are the best and have helped me feel a bit better with where I'm at and have given me the determination to keep going.

[@JamesBachmannFilms]

Very solid analysis. I have always wondered this so thanks for clearing it up!

[@nisanyetkin]

I recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying your videos! Informative and fun to watch.

[@pooskyfilms547]

Great video as always!

[@Idiosyncfilms]

Currently producing my first feature, we started shooting a week before I turned 26, I just turned 27 yesterday and we're currently doing secondary photography, ADR etc. etc. with a long road to go yet. It's set for a festival debut in July 2019 when I'll be 28. I'm happy with the project so far, it's all self financed and the writer-director turned 30 in February. I'm developing a feature to direct myself that's way smaller in scale, like it could be released at the same time as this first one! Everything takes so much longer than you first think so you really need a project that you can love and marry, there's no point rushing a feature out just to say you did, because it'll probably suck. Get those urges out of your system by doing shorts, of which I've done over 30, using them to learn, practice, test ideas and network. This current film was originally a 23 page short that failed to get financing so I said to get it over 50 pages and we'll shoot it over a year. This next feature will be a short first to test the monster effects ;) Don't worry about age, just find the right project for you and marry it.

[@lwanco1018]

Thanks for the tip, good luck.

[@otiagomarques]

Love your videos! Loved this new type too

[@barrygalperin5263]

Amazing video as always! My buddies and I talk about this daily. It’d be interesting to look at if those first features were enough to get them more work or if they had to do another one in their 30’s to be taken seriously. Keep up the amazing work!!

[@HarryChrisp]

This is exactly the video I was looking for, well made, thank you… and good luck with your feature (if you haven’t made it already)!

[@Kartikaydpawar]

Very insightful Video, thanks mate

[@sumit2658]

I am 18 right now. And I feel pretty comfortable looking at directors like Damien Chazelle :)

[@wilberpantaleon]

Sumit wya

[@TylerWolff]

This is a topic that's been on my mind forever, and this definitely gives closure for sure!

[@LucianoAvilaSobreCineYSeries]

This is a question always is on my mind and puts preassure on me, thankfully this video helps to chill out that

[@insidemymindinc]

Love your work man! Keep going. I hope you become one of the big ones. I think we are all waiting for that one youtuber/filmmaker make it in the industry. It’s a matter of waiting for this man to step up. Maybe that’ll be you, I guess we’ll see :)

[@Pavankumardaggupati]

Interesting video. I wish you good luck.

[@LostUtopiaFilms]

Awesome look at these comparisons. I’m currently 22 and definitely feel the pressure sometimes that if I’m not in Hollywood by 25 I’ve failed, seeing as that some of made it at ages younger than me. Knowing I still have time is comforting 😅

[@DissectingMovies]

The final conclusion is really motivating!!

[@aydendunnfilmmusic]

As an aspiring director, it’s always great seeing these statistics broken down like this. It just shows that there isn’t a set age or set path for directors. If you have the passion and determination for it, you can pave your own way into the industry. Great video as always!

[@TiffanyBurke]

Super fascinating how you broke it down into categories and you did this deep dive about their connections. It really does matter about who you know in the business, especially when it comes to financing your movie. Do you have one for Producers? Would love to see some of the top movie producers and how long it took them to get to where they are today. I think that career is a hard one but worth it if you are good at it.

[@chujiwu68]

That was a lot more interesting than I anticipated. What really helped was how you broke it down by categories: such as 1st time directors versus those who had a previous position in the industry. I'll have to lookup how old Christopher Nolan was when he made his first film.

[@TheKingMacgregor]

GREAT VIDEO! I think this will give a lot of aspiring directors some comfort that there's no specific age to make it. Go at your own pace. No need to rush.

[@bleachedout]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's thought this! Nice video

[@_jk94]

I really adore this video and come back to it often. Excited for the day where I can comment “Well…I was __ years old when I made my debut.” Thanks for the video, man! Keep up the good work!

[@youssefhanna]

Cool video. I actually think that our generation might break into the industry much faster. With technology and ease of access for resources, I think that we will see most of our generations top directors make their first feature film < 25. Stay creative!

[@momosauker]

Ralphthemoviemaker (who's a pretty good youtuber in his own right,) just finnished his first feature, Lover, and he's 21.

[@NiamhAllStar21]

Though I agree that there’s more ease of access, I think it’s evened out by how much competition that creates

[@Varnyo]

I’m what you’d categorize as a “Blank Slate” director and we started shooting my first film the very month I turned 28. Very interesting! But age ain’t nothing but a number! Follow your dreams no matter how old you are!

[@Peter32tjrksor]

Good video. That's why I'm subscribed.

[@pinchearchie4216]

This is encouraging.

[@maithamboland916]

great work

[@thisissuparare]

Great video! I constantly think about how old first directors are and now I getting passed the age where they are all older than me. As long as they make great films, I don't much care.

[@Javernoss]

Thanks dude. It makes me feel better as i actually think im running out of time :')

[@EddieNomadic]

Lowery was my mentor when I was in film school. I got to see his journey in texas grow from debut to working with disney!

[@jacobdominguez7808]

Very interesting video 👍

[@Br0wnEyedQueen]

Very well thought out video! But, the next question I have for you is - how successful were the films they directed in their debuts? (either box office rev or story structure...)

[@jacktreble7356]

I feel it’s less about that first feature and more about everything you learn and do coming up to it

[@PictureProductStudio]

Suddenly returned to this episode after I was searching for some reassurance in "Study More Than Film" and then this showed up in Recommended immediately. Next month I'm turning 28. 13 of those 28 I spent filming my first feature-length film. I am thankful to all the hardships along the way, since finishing it in 2014, 2017 or any other point that seemed likely would've been a huge mistake. We're still freaking filming with simultaneous post (yes, despite the lockdown: when you've spent some of the years filming close-ups, miniatures and pick-ups yourself anyway, you always have something to film), but it's amazing how at almost 28 right now I feel more inspired and determined now, with chronic fatigue in the middle of a crisis than I ever was at ages 15-25 when logically people are usually more enthusiastic. I guess filmmakers and specifically directors are mostly just that special kind of people - the more we do the more we can do. The longer it takes, the longer we will do it to ensure that results are worth it. That said, I'd love to adopt Corman-esqe tempo and style for next movies: as long as you have any budget and can do something fast: do fast and learn from it to do faster AND better each time.

[@rraptor158]

Do it dude! Now is the time. I'm looking at 31 and am just going to start with a youtube series first and then if that goes well try a feature length (Sort of like maybe what you're doing?). My channel content does not reflect this btw lol. Good luck! I hope to see a trailer one day that shows your youtube channel as one of the studio logos at the beginning of the film.

[@area51pictures]

My debut feature premiered a few nights ago. I'm 22. Took roughly 4 years to make. Huge fan, Mr Saladino, excellent video.

[@Elassyahmed]

Can't imagine the amount of effort that has gone into making this video

[@danieloffenbacher8586]

I'm 20 and I directed my first self financed feature last summer. I'm glad I made it, but with all I've learned from it and in the past year, I wish I had waited until I was more mature to tackle it.

[@southlondon86]

Great video, loved the music. Sir have you made your feature yet?

[@JamesGWall]

I made my first feature at 25, it's now on my KZbin channel. It helped me break into the industry, and although I never got a second film financed I do work for a film studio editing feature films. (I'm now 31).

[@AndySpring210]

As a film editor worked with many film directors, I realized the strongest directors of all times are the people who didn't start off their career as directors. They were always ex Production designers, ex cinematographers, ex Editors, etc. I never saw any directors coming back said, 'I'm a director! That's the only thing I can do'

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

Nice teaser at the end. I’m 19, and this videos makes me want to direct a feature in 6 months, just so I could say that I made a feature at 19

[@suncu91]

Do it!

[@CHE6yp]

Making a good debut would be better then making an early debut. But sure, do it! I mean, it probably woun't be good if you rush it like that, but at least you'll learn a lot, and learning is not a consolation prize. it's a treasure.

[@AA-qt9do]

Make you're feature at 19. I had my first feature screenplay produced at 24 I swear do not wait. You only learn when you're creating.

[@BulletProofBacon]

Going through the hell of making a feature just so you can say you made it at 19 is the wrong reason. You’ll burn out and never finish. Come back when you have a good reason to make a feature. Hint hint- it should be because you believe in your story so much that you are willing to sacrifice time, comfort, and more just to tell it. You need to have a story that will motivate you beyond all adversity and inspire change in yourself and others.

[@thomasmorris7651]

Very cool, I had been wondering about this myself. Then it takes about another ten years for every director to become an established and famous filmmaker.

[@rmtrue]

Quick ?: Are the ages pulled from the release date of each film or are they adjusted for the start of filming. Might be splitting hairs here, but with often erroneous post-processing schedules, the data might be skewed in a less inspirational tone. I, myself, am an environmental / water engineer who writes and shoots in my limited free time in hopes of directing one day. Just trying to keep pace with some of the greats and their pathways. Great video, subbed.

[@honklerfinkelstein2113]

Very helpful iam in the situation you were describing (being 18 now) and needed this a bit

[@FelonyArson]

+Heisenberg Brokker With that profile picture, I hope you don't direct movies

[@honklerfinkelstein2113]

Wurminator why not?

[@FelonyArson]

Pinochet was awful and the coup in Chile was one of the worst crimes ever committed by the US

[@honklerfinkelstein2113]

Well i dont put politics in my creativ life so it wouldnt really matter what i believe ( btw its more of a meme than an actual political view)

[@FelonyArson]

Ok, but saying that you don't put politics into your creative work, just means that you don't do it consciously. Trust me, most of the stuff you create has a political undertone, even if it is no apparent.

[@seanmckee9553]

If your primary concern is based on vanity or insecurity, such as what age when you "debuted" as a director, then you will fail miserably as a director. Your main concern should be "how do I beat the odds of1 out of 28000 of becoming even a known director?"

[@megan.mcleod]

this was great

[@AndrewPaulDavisFilm]

This is super interesting data. I directed my debut feature "Palace" this March as a 23 year-old, and I'm encouraged by these stats to keep at it. I plan to have two more features released by 28. I kept a photo of PTA on set of Hard Eight up during production because I think he was 23 when he shot it. There's a lot of teenagers starting out now for whom it's not far-fetched to start directing in their early 20s. I picked up a T2i in 2011 as a 16 year-old at the height of the DSLR boom, and 20 short films later now have the collaborators and (fiscal) trust of an audience to make the leap to features. A great piece of encouragement I've heard was by Werner Herzog, who said "You can make a feature film for $10,000." If you put in the work, anyone can crowdfund that much. That's what we did. Anyone who wants to follow along can find us @palacemovie on social media outlets. Open to helping anyone else make the leap to features, shoot me a message if you have any questions. :) Thanks for the upload Andy.

[@amlaanbhattacharjee8001]

Andrew Paul Davis PTA was 27/28 when directing Sydney

[@captaincurd2681]

Some start early but makes it later, some starts later but hits right on.

[@VortekShow]

I would be interested in how you build and manage the data of +700 directors. Thanks for letting me know and keep up the great work :)

[@huda2379]

Very Interesting.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa74]

Wow, this felt good.

[@aliensoup2420]

No mention of Orson Welles - 26 (Citizen Kane), or Stanley Kubrick - 25 (Fear and Desire).

[@LadderProductionFilms]

Conclusion #2 for me!

[@DilairSingleton]

Aspiring filmmaker here as well, and I have played this game many times before to torture myself. Great video, but something worth noting for the data (and this might make you feel worse): the year the film is released is not usually the same year the filmmaker made it. It's generally made the year earlier than the year it is listed as being officially "released." So for example, Kevin Smith would've been 23 when he made Clerks. Alex Ross Perry would've been younger than 25 when he made Impolex. Also, regarding Xavier Dolan being such a wunderkind (this might make you feel better): he had decent jobs in the industry before making his own independent film. Of course he had to do a ton of work on his own, and I'm not undermining that at all, but he was very fortunate to get dubbing work that would have been very helpful to fund a movie. Personally, that's my excuse: I can't afford to make what I want right now. And every time I set out to write a screenplay that has limitations I can afford I get carried away....anyway, good luck to all my fellow dreamers out there. Looking forward to the next wave of filmmakers in this weird time we're in. Cheers.

[@sebastientobler5414]

This is good info but I'm wondering if you can further analyze by decade to give context in time/state of industry by identifying the average age of first time directors in the decade they released their films? In this way you can trend by decade and start to get a sense if first-timers are getting younger or older as technology and market demands shift.

[@jeffreyhooper7806]

I’m about to finish my BA in Photography & Marketing. I’ve always loved cinema and a dream job would truly to direct commercials and films. I’m 23, do you recommend I apply to film school?

[@DendyJungle]

I don't think any director has a completely blank slate

[@jackdraper8558]

My friend is making his debut this year at 19.lets hope it gets seen

[@AssortedPopcorn]

I guess the curious thing nowadays is what even classifies as a directorial debut? Lots of young people are creating films all the time these days. Do you have to make a budgeted film that premieres at a fancy festival or does making a short film from home and uploading it to the internet count as someone's debut? I dunno. I guess we're discussing "success" or "breaking into the industry" more than we are "debut". And in that case, well, a lot of that's out of most people's hands. I don't think anyone should feel down about their age, as long they're out there creating films (big or small) in their own way. Anyway, thanks for the video! Been wondering about this myself :P

[@diegom-a7970]

Good question

[@StereoChimps]

im 28 and iv done alot of shorts and now i feel very mature on the industry and i think im ready to make a feature independently

[@AlternativeSack123]

From what I’ve seen it seems to take most directors at least 5-10 years to “make it”, and I think the most important thing is keeping at it and having something interesting to offer the world of film

[@daeilkim7183]

The best video

[@kageyamatobio7542]

I am 18 n this gives me hope

[@kpwand]

I think the factor that is missed is whether the person had a connection to the film industry prior to directing their first feature. Those who do will direct at a much younger age. Those who don't will come in later.

[@mangoalias608]

It's a good thing I have the entire time that i've been alive so far to make my first feature film. And yet, I still fret and worry.

[@pod9363]

Do you have a discord you run ROFS?

[@derekzimmer3186]

On board w/ most of this. Late 20s / early 30s seems to be when it happens. (Bresson a big exception) Wonder if you’ve thought much about the 5-9 year apprenticeship most go through.

[@PictureProductStudio]

Directorial debuts are really intricate that way especially since some take years to finish. I am really in an odd situation with mine which makes me something I can't quite fit anywhere listed: my debut film is stuck in production since 2007 (or 2011 if you exclude less serious production: test shoots, two years of constant writing, etc., still ages if you ask me) and while it is there, gradually developing, I made a feature length documentary in 2014, aged 22. So... You can count it as a feature directorial debut? Technically, I guess, although it is very specialized and it is a documentary so... nah. Plus, what merits industry connection, like bare minimum? I'm 27 now though, and I hope to finish the proper first feature (it is still first for me, as I've started it first) movie that year, so I am, seemingly "A Blank Slate".

[@philippj5711]

That must have taken one hell of an Excel table

[@edoardodario]

I’m turning 20 in March of 2022 and I’m thinking about writing a novel/ screenplay since a while… who knows, maybe one day

[@jackmcloughlin6215]

James Gray made Little Odessa when he was 25, if you haven't seen that movie I highly recommend it!

[@mikeloloful]

hopefully you get to make one (even a short film) one day.

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

So there is hope??.....Is there any hope?? Hope is even an option??....hopefully.

[@DysnomiaFilms]

I made my first film when I was 24, but it has had zero festival success and had a budget of $3,000 self funded, so... does that count?

[@DysnomiaFilms]

You can find a trailer on my channel btw, it's called Subject 36.

[@StephenIsTrying]

What are you gonna do with it?

[@DysnomiaFilms]

Still waiting to hear back from a few festivals but if I don't get into any just gonna get a local distributor to get it onto online platforms like iTunes.

[@StephenIsTrying]

DysnomiaFilms You should document the process, I’d sub for that

[@DysnomiaFilms]

CutToBlackFilm Document the process of making a feature film or doing festivals and distribution? Anyway I'll be adding bts from future projects on my channel, wasnt able to do so on my feature due to lack of manpower. It was just me and sound many days.