Hey there!
Welcome to another blog post. Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on the valuable lessons I've learned throughout my filmmaking journey.
In this video, I'll be sharing my list of insightful lessons and discoveries that I will take with me into the year 2024. My hope is that these lessons will inspire and guide you as you embark on your own adventures.
Let's get started!
Focus on both the artistic and business aspects of your craft.
As a filmmaker, it is important to not only focus on the artistic aspects of your craft but also on the business side of things. While creativity and storytelling are at the core of filmmaking, understanding the business aspects can greatly contribute to your success.
If you want to get good, you will inevitably be honing your skills in cinematography, directing, screenwriting, and editing. You’ll be exploring different storytelling techniques, experimenting with visual styles, and constantly pushing the boundaries of your creativity. All of that comes naturally.
However, it is equally important to understand the business side of the industry. Learning about film financing, distribution, or in the commercials space - marketing, producing, and networking. By understanding the business aspects, you can navigate the industry more effectively, secure funding for your projects, and reach a wider audience with your films.
This knowledge will allow you to make informed decisions about the commercial viability of your work and explore opportunities for monetization, giving you more control over your life.
Embrace the Fear.
Doing things that scare the hell out of me brings the greatest joy, knowing that I have conquered something and there's one less thing that can defeat or scare me.
Let me share a simple example. This year, I was terrified to write a “Treatment Writing 101” e-book. Who am I to call myself a book writer? It seemed absurd. But I decided to lean into the fear, taking one foot in front of the other.
As I finished writing that e-book, I nervously handed it to my wife and a few filmmaker friends for their feedback. To my surprise, they responded positively. Encouraged by their support, I got the book designed, publishing it on my website as an e-book.
The response was overwhelming. I received so much positive feedback and valuable suggestions for improvement. Inspired by this experience, I went on to write “Get Signed” – my second book that’s now online and it’s about signing with a rep agent. It was a lot less scary this time, as I focused on what I could do better based on my previous experience.
So conquering our fears and embracing the unknown can lead to incredible growth and fulfillment. It's about pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones, trusting in our abilities, and realizing that we are capable of more than we think.
Document the journey and share it with others.
Let me draw a parallel to a luxury brand like Mercedes Benz, for instance. They didn't become a renowned luxury brand overnight. It's their well-documented stories of winning races, making groundbreaking inventions, and innovating throughout their history that have built their reputation. Over time, it all accumulates.
And the same goes for us. When there is evidence of our journey, when there is clear documentation of our experiences, we can leverage that. We can confidently direct anyone who doubts our credibility to our social media platforms, where they can see for themselves that we are authentic and genuine.
That's partly why I create videos for my YouTube channel, to ensure that my entire journey is documented, not just the wins but also the losses, realizations, and lessons. Everything becomes part of the story I want to share with the world.
Pay attention to your posture.
Having good posture is incredibly important for us filmmakers, both physically and mentally. This is something I have noticed I could improve in myself. Yeah, there are physical benefits; it aligns the spine, muscles, and joints, reducing the risk of issues like back pain, neck pain, and joint problems. It improves circulation, digestion, and breathing and all that obvious stuff.
But more importantly, from a psychological perspective, having good posture has a positive effect on our mental and emotional state. Adopting an upright posture can actually boost our mood and increase our confidence. When we stand tall with our shoulders back, we project a sense of confidence, assertiveness, and openness.
This nonverbal communication not only influences how others perceive us, but it also impacts how we feel about ourselves.
So, whether you're pitching a project, directing on set, or networking with fellow filmmakers, remember to maintain good posture and let your body language speak.
Have the courage to say no to projects that don't align with your vision.
You see, in our industry, we're constantly bombarded with opportunities left and right, whether it’s your regular paid gig or worse when someone wants to offer us a non-paid project in exchange for “exposure”. Not every project is gonna be a good fit for you, and that's alright! You have to accept that.
Now, I get it, saying "no" can be scary. We worry about missing out on potential gigs or disappointing clients. But here's the truth - by saying "no" to the wrong projects, you're actually making space for the right ones to come along. You're opening yourself up to opportunities that align with your creative vision and allow you to showcase your true talent.
Filmmaking is a journey, and it's all about crafting a body of work that reflects who you are as an artist. By being selective with the projects you take on, you're curating your own unique brand and style. You're building a reputation for delivering high-quality work that resonates with your audience.
Deliberate stress.
There’s this popular concept of “Anti-fragility” that refers to a concept where systems or individuals become stronger and more resilient when exposed to stress and volatility, as opposed to simply breaking under pressure.
Think about it. When we hit the gym and push ourselves to the limit, our muscles tear and rebuild, making us stronger and more capable. The same goes for our growth journey. When we take on work that is slightly stressful and challenging, but not overwhelming, we're building our stress tolerance.
No pressure, no diamonds.
It's all about exposing ourselves to just the right amount of stress, so we can become more resilient and better equipped to handle the challenges that come our way. Just change your attitude towards stress, perceive it as good, and next time you feel it building up, remember that it is an opportunity to become stronger.
Just like any hero in a film, your journey will have its ups and downs, but it's through those struggles that you'll discover your inner power.
Heat and Cold Exposure.
I learned this by listening to Andrew Huberman. And I don't want to be considered a follower of the Huberman Cult. But hey, there's so much you can learn from that guy. Optimizing your health and body can take you far. Cold and heat exposures are amazing.
This year, I fully embraced it, and it's been a little over a year since I started taking ice-cold showers every morning. I also try to go to hot saunas and cold plunges at least twice a week. I feel amazing afterward, I feel alive, I feel like I have all the energy in the world when I do it. It's properly painful at first, but then it feels incredible.
So I highly recommend researching it and trying it for at least a month and notice the change in your mood, productivity, and health.
Acknowledge the importance of money for freedom and power over your life.
Financial stability is often undervalued by younger individuals, and maybe it’s true in their case because YOLO, right?
However, as I continue to mature and make sense of the world we live in, I realize the importance of financial stability in taking control of my life and finances. It is crucial to be in charge of our own destiny and not be at the mercy of external circumstances.
Financial stability serves as a foundation for pursuing our artistic goals. Without it, we may find ourselves constantly struggling to make ends meet, which can hinder our creative pursuits and limit our ability to express ourselves.
I want to be in a position where if a job comes to my table that doesn't feel right for me, I can say no and walk away without worrying about it affecting my financial stability.
So focus on educating yourself on the basic financial principles and start applying them to your life and notice the change.
Recognize the opportunities that can come from unexpected sources.
I took a chance and started my YouTube channel to document my filmmaking journey. I didn't have any expectations, but to my surprise, the channel gained traction and attracted a growing audience.
This opened up unexpected opportunities for me and provided both financial and geographical freedom. And thanks to it, I was able to say no to projects that didn't align with my vision.
I realized that YouTube could be more than just a platform for sharing videos - it could be a business and the foundation of my personal brand.
This leap of faith paid off and propelled me forward on an exciting new path in the filmmaking world. So you never know where the next opportunity comes from, just make yourself more open and increase the odds.
Strive to make films on your own terms, without external restrictions.
When you are unable to create films according to your own vision and creative freedom, it can be painful and discouraging. It can lead to a loss of passion and enthusiasm for filmmaking, as you may feel restricted and unable to fully express yourself artistically.
And I witness a lot of this happening in the commercial space, where the creative agencies have too much control over how the stories are told. You find yourself conforming to the expectations and demands of others. This can result in compromised creativity and a lack of personal fulfillment, which can be disheartening and hinder your growth as a filmmaker.
So be careful. Define what filmmaking means to you and what kind of stories you want to tell. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support and encourage your creative journey.
You don’t have to have an opinion on everything.
This is especially relevant these days when there’s so much going on in the world.
There is a great quote by Marcus Aurelius that says, "you don't need to have an opinion on everything. Don't get worked up about what you can't control. These things didn't ask for your attention. Leave them alone."
I cannot claim expertise on every topic, as there are individuals who have dedicated their lives to in-depth research in those areas. It would be unwise for me to express half-baked opinions that do not contribute anything meaningful.
Of course, it is important to educate ourselves on important matters, but this process takes time. Online platforms, such as YouTube, Instagram, X, and other social media platforms, often create a sense of urgency to voice opinions on controversial topics. However, I believe it is beneficial for all of us to pause, take a deep breath, and think before sharing our thoughts online. Let us strive for a more mindful approach and consider the impact of our words before expressing them.
Appreciation for the family.
Hey, this one's for all you married guys out there.
In the busy and fast-paced world of filmmaking, it's easy to prioritize success and forget about the importance of having a deep connection with someone.
As a married person, I have come to truly appreciate the love, support, and stability that my family provides.
In a demanding industry like filmmaking, where long hours and unpredictable schedules are common, having a strong support system at home is priceless. They bring a safe place where we can recharge and find comfort amidst the chaos. So if you are a family guy, take the time and go tell them how much you really appreciate them.
BUT also if you are listening to this and you are not in a serious relationship, please know that you don't need a family to be happy. If you can't find peace in solitude, you won't find it in a family either. I firmly believe that you should be at peace with yourself and be fully self-sufficient before entering a long-term relationship. Because It is selfish to put the burden on your family to bring you peace. It is an inside job.
Learn from the successes and failures of other filmmakers.
I enjoy listening to a variety of podcasts. Some of my favorites include "Respect the Process," "Musicbed," and "Wandering DP." One aspect that I appreciate about these podcasts is their practice of inviting guests onto their shows. When these guests share their life stories, I often find myself able to relate to their experiences, which helps me feel more at ease. It's almost as if hearing about their failures and challenges gives me permission to accept and be okay with my own setbacks and obstacles. This sense of commonality and belonging to a community that faces similar struggles is valuable. Therefore, I highly recommend studying filmmakers who have achieved what you aspire to do.
Study the successful people outside of your industry and learn from their journeys.
This serves as a follow up to the previous point. Often, we tend to focus only on the people who have directly achieved what we aspire to accomplish. Even worse, we limit our attention to those we have personal connections with or have direct access to. However, beyond this small filmmaking bubble that we live in, there is a vast world waiting to be discovered. There are numerous success stories, and regardless of the industry they have excelled in, successful individuals often possess similar character traits. Studying these individuals can be incredibly beneficial, as it highlights these shared qualities.
Best products solve a specific problem.
When I first started my nurniazfilms store at the beginning of the year, I was eager to have more products available, any products really. As a result, I ended up selling two subpar products, a storyboard template and one of the earlier treatment templates. Then I sort of regretted selling these products to people, and I quickly took them down. I realized that, regardless of the importance of profits, these products are a reflection of my brand, with my name attached to them. From that moment on, I made a commitment to only offer high-quality products that truly address the needs and problems of my audience. As a result, the shop has become much cleaner and more focused. That’s why I don't have a huge range of treatment templates, for example, because I want to ensure that each one meets a high standard before it hits the store. It's amusing that some of you have been asking for more, but I want to maintain the integrity of my brand by only offering products that are really really good.
Seek fulfillment and purpose in your work, beyond simply calling yourself a professional.
When we find fulfillment and purpose in our work, our filmmaking reaches a whole new level. We go beyond the surface and dive into storytelling that deeply resonates with our audience on an emotional level. And I don't necessarily mean "serious" drama films, not at all. There are lighthearted, quirky films like "Airplane" or if you have watched "Swiss Army Knife" that, for some reason, still have a profound impact on me, despite their toilet humor. Consider the filmmakers who have left a lasting impression on you. It's not just their technical skills or visual aesthetics that captivate you. It's the stories they tell, the messages they convey, and the emotions they evoke. That's the power of finding fulfillment and purpose in our work.
Stay excited and optimistic about the future.
Because, let's face it, what is the alternative? Pessimism, discouragement, entropy, nihilism, and the death of the soul. Of course, being blindly optimistic is naïve. We do face pressing challenges as a modern human civilization. Wars have always been ongoing. There is always a risk of nuclear escalation. Economic decline and crises are always possible. Whether you believe in climate change or not, there always seems to be a reason to worry and be nihilistic. But how does that help? It doesn't. All it does is it justifies inaction, lack of motivation, and hopelessness. So, my personal stance on this is to believe in how strong and resilient you can be. That way, when crises inevitably hit, you can deal with them by maintaining an optimistic outlook on the future, having hope, and striving for improvement. After all, your mind is the only thing directly under your control.
These are the lessons I hope will guide me as I navigate the year 2024 and beyond, empowering me and hopefully you to pursue our filmmaking dreams with clarity and purpose.
