A filmmakers biggest mistake - securing your future
At some point throughout your career as a filmmaker you’ve no doubt reached a point where you feel that you’re far too busy to even consider taking on more work, as every waking moment is being consumed by your current project. It’s an amazing feeling to have so much work on your plate that you don’t feel the need to source more, but eventually you’ll wrap up that project and be left wondering what happens next.
This is one of the biggest business mistakes filmmakers can make, and that is failing to think forward and apply a business mindset to our work. I’ve been here more times than I care to admit. It’s so easy to get so engrossed in the task at hand that you forget to look ahead. But in the world of freelancing and project-based work, staying one step ahead is the key to long-term success. As without planning ahead, when the revenue eventually stops flowing from the project that you’re currently working on, you’ll be left with nothing coming in, and will have to endure the next phase of hustling, networking and planning, which depending on the type of work you do, can take months, without a stable income.
The world of filmmaking in its planning preproduction stages is often a very slow one. So even if you plan on taking some time off after a big job to work on a passion project, you likely will need to have started laying the ground work well before you’re work project ends, to ensure that you can slide smoothly into your next film.
It’s a mistake we have all made, some of us more than once, but by actively seeking out the next project while you're still working on the current one, you're creating a sustainable revenue stream that can the weather ups and downs of the filmmaking world.
Things that can help make this process easier is by nurturing your client relationship. These relationships are your lifeline, and they are key to your business's growth. Don't wait until your current project ends to reconnect with your clients. Keep the communication lines open throughout, and touch base as often as you can. Doing this will consistently throughout your career will help maintain a stable working relationship, rather than having to call them up to reconnect with them once you’re in need of work again.
On the same line of thought, Networking and marketing efforts shouldn't be sporadic. They should be ongoing, even when you're knee-deep in a project. If you’re a filmmaker who gets most of their work by pitching projects to prospective clients, then allocate a small portion of time throughout your current projects to send out a few emails or pitches. Building a strong professional network and consistently marketing your skills will ensure a steady flow of opportunities.
One simple solution I have implemented over my career is to Set aside dedicated time each week or month to focus on future projects. I will use this time to identify potential leads, reach out to contacts, and update your portfolio or website. I also keep a detailed list of prospective clients that I have reached out to, and discussion or follow up notes, as clients often will reply that they love my work and want to work with us, but right now things are a little busy or that they’re waiting on new budgets from corporate, so we should reach back out in a few months. Write those dates down and keep track of those conversations as they will pay off.
It all sounds so simple, and looking at the broader picture it is, but as people of passion we all know how easy it is to be so engrossed in a project that we fail to consider life without it. No matter how busy you are, set some time aside each month, and plan for the future.
Anyways that’s it for this one. I hope you had a great read, and I’ll catch you in the next one.