A filmmaking mindset is not very much different from other business motivational ideologies. It is in essence the notion that one can achieve their desired dreams as long as they are willing to put practical plans into effect, and focus on the end result.
In today’s video I cover this topic in-depth.
In short, a filmmaking mindset is understanding your limitations and strengths, and creating a plan that will promote long term creative productivity. This mindset starts with knowing and visualizing the outcome of your movie goals. Then create an adaptable and practical guide in getting to that goal. I use the terms adaptable and practical, because you must have plans that can easily be altered from time to time. You need plans that are practical within the limitations of your environment.
To master this mindset one must be able to be adaptable from time to time. A filmmaker should work harmoniously with the real world without losing their way, or throwing a tempertandrum on set when things don’t go to plan. Clint Eastwood famously once said, “I don’t believe in pessimism. If something doesn’t come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it’s going to rain, it will. I have a very strict gun control policy: if there’s a gun around, I want to be in control of it.”
You have to just accept that some, if not most things will need alteration, and that no one will save you. If you wait for the perfect conditions, you will be waiting forever. If you expect someone to run in and offer you a break, you will be a lonely person forever.
A filmmaking mindset waits for no one. It asks not for permission or forgiveness. This ideological way of approaching your career also does not wait for the circumstances, or conditions to be good. With this mindset, you create your own circumstances. Napoleon Bonapart was advised by his generals that the circumstances of battle were not right to advance his attack. He quickly replied, “Circumstances? What are circumstances? I make circumstances.”
As I digress from this topic, I encourage you to watch the video I created on YouTube and take stock in this time of quarantine.
Be safe, healthy and prosper.
-Kelly Schwarze, Indie Film Factory, LLC
Author of“What Film Schools Don’t Tell You” available on Amazon