Getting your filmmaking work noticed requires persistence, tenacity, and an unyielding ability to overcome obstacles and keep going—especially when the path seems impossible or downright crazy.
Table of Contents
- Start Where You Are
- Your Beliefs Shape Your Actions
- What is the Filmmaking Success Mindset?
- 10 Daily Filmmaking Affirmations
- Next Steps
Start Where You Are
Just over a decade ago, I was stuck in a small town, living with my parents. No other path appealed to me more than filmmaking. I had no idea those dreams would eventually take me from my hometown to New York, and then to Los Angeles.
Your Beliefs Shape Your Actions
There were many sleepless nights and long stretches of uncertainty along the way. But through all of it, I learned one powerful truth…
Your thoughts shape your beliefs, and your beliefs shape your actions.
String together the right actions, and you begin to carve out a new reality as a working filmmaker. Whether you're building a career outside of LA or navigating the micro-budget landscape, momentum comes from consistent, intentional effort.
What is the Filmmaking Success Mindset?
To help guide that transformation, I want to share a simple but powerful tool I've used for years—what I call the Filmmaking Success Mindset.
The FSM is a set of filmmaking declarations you can read and repeat each day to sharpen your mental focus and boost momentum.
10 Daily Filmmaking Affirmations
- What I think about becomes real.
- I play to my strengths. I support my weak areas with talented collaborators.
- I take advice from people who have experience.
- I spend time with people who make me feel better about myself.
- I always work to make others feel good too.
- Achieving dreams is easier with money in the bank. I save what I can.
- I keep an idea book and write down movie ideas as they come.
- My word is trust. I never break my word.
- I deserve Hollywood success because I am creative and passionate.
- I always bring my ideas to fruition.
Next Steps
Yes, this might sound like a little bit of ra-ra-ra motivation. But if you're the kind of filmmaker who values structure, clarity, and personal growth, then I encourage you to print this out, post it on your wall, and review it daily.
Over time, these principles can help rewire your thinking and keep you focused—especially during the tough days.
And when you're ready to go beyond mindset, apply to join the Filmmaking Stuff Mastermind—a private group for entrepreneurial filmmakers ready to level up.
