If you’re making short films, sooner or later you’re gonna start brainstorming ways to make your first feature film. This makes sense. Production gear is cheap (well, relatively speaking) and distribution is accessible.
How To Make Your First Feature Without Going Bonkers
Consider the following tips before making your first feature film:
1. Spend the next months making a few more short films. This will grant you valuable filmmaking experience. This is your time to experiment. Play around with different camera angles, locations and edits. Honing your filmmaking skills through short films will prove super valuable when you begin filming your first feature film.
2. Read EVERY screenplay you can! This will teach you pacing and get you well accustomed to the standard three act structure. Scripts can also increase your film knowledge. When reading a script, envision how you would shoot each shot.
3. Allow the script for your first feature film is to evolve. Real writing begins with rewriting. As long as you have a deadline, it’s okay to refine and rewrite your feature film script until you get it right. Then when you hit your deadline, stop writing and start planning your film.
4. Go out of your way to create relationships with rich and successful people. You never know. The first millionaire I met was a local car dealer. And my buddy Tom Malloy met his first film investor at a poker table. Expanding your network never hurts. But you must be willing to put yourself out there.
5. Avoid anyone in your life who sucks your filmmaking energy. This is YOUR passion and YOUR dream! No one should get in the way or bring you down.
If you follow the above steps for six months, you will put yourself on the path of producing your first feature film. You’ll gain a new sense of confidence and this will put you ahead of the gazillion wannabe filmmakers who are not truly dedicated.
What are you waiting for? Get going and greenlight yourself. Anything is possible. But nothing is possible without action. Go out there and create your first feature film!
