Daniel J. Harris on indie filmmakers, fear and procrastination…

Every aspiring filmmaker on the planet thinks that they have a great idea, great script, a unique story and way of telling it that engages audiences. Otherwise – why would we bother? You must have belief in your own ability – right?

Well, yes and no. In order to give up everything and burn all other bridges to pursue a career as a filmmaker you need to have the minerals – to quote Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. But, as artists we’re insecure and often fragile. Sometimes we don’t want to let go of our little story, or let too many people hear about it for fear of ridicule or rejection. We tell ourselves it’s a great story and it’ll make a great film. But…. Maybe it needs a little more work. Or perhaps… the time isn’t right. Or maybe I’m just too busy for it at this juncture in my career with all this other stuff I’ve got on, but it’s definitely something I want to do at some point. Definitely. Almost definitely. Probably if the time is right. I’m just kind of busy with this and that so its on the back burner right now. Oh that old thing? Yeah I’ve got a new project now. Sound familiar?

Here in lays the biggest obstacle every aspiring filmmaker faces – fear and procrastination. Filmmaking is a discipline that requires you to go and do it. No matter how many seminars you attend, books you read or university degrees you study for – nothing replaces actual experience! And this is why you can’t get a job beyond runner in film and TV – you need to learn your craft in the field. And, filmmaking is so expensive that most people wont let you learn and make mistakes on their time and money. If you really want to learn to make a film – you need to go and make a film!

Making a film with no money, little experience and very little access to resource isn’t easy. You may tell yourself you’ve got no chance, and to be honest – you’ve got very little chance of success. But we learn more in failure than we do in success. Even if your film is a bucket of cow dung, you will learn many valuable lessons that you wouldn’t reading a book. Don’t worry about what you do wrong, or how bad it looks – you don’t even need to show anyone it. But make it. Learn from it. Nothing beats actual real world experience and problem solving.

Over the last 3 years I’ve produced, directed, shot or edited over 700 videos for Team Wild Media and their clients in the full time position as Head of Video Production, which I am about to vacate.. Many of which aren’t anything special and I wouldn’t show a potential employer – but you can bet your bottom dollar I learnt something from each and every oen of them. If you take a look at the very first video I made for Team Wild Media it’s a cheap and cheerful little promotional video for a pick up truck. Nothing special. Fast forward two and a half years, and around 600 videos ,and take a look at another video I directed and operated one of several cameras on for the Isuzu Rally Team and Team Wild Media. Worlds apart.

Many mistakes had gone before and lessons were learned for me to get to a position where I knew exactly what I wanted to get, where I needed the cameras, what questions I needed to ask – what my story needed to be. OK – it’s not exactly The Godfather, but there’s clearly a progression in terms of abilities, understanding and know how. All learnt in the field making videos.

I recently read the Robert Rodriguez book – Rebel Without a Crew. Quite simply – it inspired me to go out and make what I want to make. The best bit of advice that Rodriguez gives, and he gives it regularly, is that nothing is stopping you making films. Any excuses you come up with are all in your head and easily overcome!

Rodriguez made a film on video tape with his friend in the lead role, no crew, very little time and found solutions to things like recording audio and video, where and how to edit, how to achieve a reasonable lighting set up with no money. What was that film? El Mariachi. Not heard of it? Shame on you! That little $7000 film aimed at the Spanish market earned over $2 million at the box office. He had no deal in place, unknown actors and basic equipment – but he went out and made a film!

It’s highly unlikely that every budding filmmaker will achieve what Rodriguez has. The man is on another level to most. But, it serves to showcase that anything is possible. There’s been many other low budget success over the last 20 years including The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, and Darren Aronofsky’s Pi. It is possible if you take the plunge.

With support from organisations like Raindance and online resources such as No Film School offering advice, you have all the information and advice you could possibly need to go out and make something. Your idea is good yeah? So go make it! And if it isn’t – learn how to avoid making the same mistakes again and make another one. What could be the worst that could happen? At least you will be a filmMAKER and not an aspiring or budding filmmaker with a raft of excuses as to why you’ve made diddly squat.

When you finally pluck up the courage to make your film and the fear sets in you may find other things to occupy your time. Other things to pursue may seem important and some brilliant excuses as to why you’re too busy to make your film maybe seem perfectly logical! This pile of ironing wont do itself you know! Screw the ironing! Wear your clothes creased! Just make sure you make that film! I’d rather be a filmmaker in a creased shirt than have perfectly ironed clothing and work a 9 to 5!

As Nike say – Just Do It!

Daniel J. Harris has just set up his new production company, FOCUS SHIFT FILMS, in South Wales and is pursuing several new and exciting projects www.focusshiftfilms.com

