How To Set Filmmaking Goals Fast (So You Can Make Your Movie)

• Your Filmmaking Vision
• Setting Filmmaking Goals Fast
• Break Down Your Goals Into Daily Tasks
• Key Takeaways
• Popular Questions
• Glossary

In my time making movies, I've seen it all. Starting with just an idea and going through the ups and downs of making it happen, it's all part of the adventure.

Every movie is a new chance to learn something, to get better, and to really connect with the folks watching.

It's challenging. Sure. At times, it's maddening.

But when you set clear goals for your film, that's when you start making stuff that really hits home.

But the best part is when people love the movies we make. And when you have that experience, it makes all the struggle worth it.

Your Filmmaking Vision

What is the vision of your ideal future?

A big reason you need this compelling vision is so you can keep pushing forward, even when life gets challenging. And believe me, life will always get challenging.

By writing down what you want, you can begin to get out of the crappy headspace and your negative self-doubt and enter a world where all things are possible.

The following questions will help you focus on your filmmaking goals. Make sure you take time to write down your answers.

1. What did you achieve last year?
2. What did you want to achieve but didn't? What obstacles got in your way?
3. What do you want to accomplish this year?
4. What obstacles must you overcome to reach your big filmmaking goals?
5. What is one thing you can complete today that will put you a step closer to achieving your goal?

Once you know where you are and where you want

Setting Filmmaking Goals Fast

Having spent many hours teaching filmmaking to other producers, I know you want to produce movies, get them seen, and sell them.

Sometimes life gets in the way. And we put our filmmaking goals on hold. The problem is that days become weeks. Weeks become years. And before you know it, you forget about turning your film-producing dreams into a film business plan.

Here's how you can get your plans going fast:

• Write down your goals: What movie do you want to make, and why?
• Make a business plan for your film: Think of this document as how you turn a dream into a plan. A good business plan covers everything from marketing to how much you're gonna spend.
• Find a weekly win: It could be writing a scene, or making a one-minute short film for YouTube.
• Break it down: Got a big goal? Break it into smaller, daily tasks. Finishing the script, getting your team together, figuring out the budget, and planning your shoot.
• Tech savvy: Keep up with the latest tech and techniques in filmmaking.
• Network, network, network: The more people know you, the better.
• Never stop learning: Whether it's film school or just taking every online filmmaking course that we offer, do something to learn.
• Stick with it: Making films is challenging, so you must keep pushing.
• Learn from every project: It makes your next one even better.
• Patience and persistence: That's the secret to success.

Making movies is a long-term game. One of the mental attributes that all successful people share is a never-ending ability to keep their eye on the prize.

Break Down Your Goals Into Daily Tasks

Setting filmmaking goals is essential to planning, dreaming, and keeping your dreams alive. I have always found life easier to deal with when I set exciting goals for myself.

Once you know your BIG filmmaking goals, the next step is to break them into smaller and smaller chunks until you have a list of daily tasks at the bottom of your pyramid.

The secret formula for achieving your filmmaking goals is patience and unyielding persistence in the face of adversity.

Writing out your big filmmaking goals and taking the time to reflect is a great way to gain clarity. I suggest you shove your dreams into a triangle.

For example, “make a feature film.”

Primary Goal – Hire an up-and-coming Director of Photography who shares your vision.

After breaking this goal down, you would come up with the following daily tasks:

• Call friends of friends for recommendations.
• Put an ad in a trade publication, “Seeking a Director of Photography.”
• Review Demo Reels.
• Call prospective directors for an interview or lunch, allowing you to get to know them better.
• Meet and negotiate terms that work within your budget.
• The Director of Photography agrees, or you repeat the process.

One of those steps involves creating a film business plan. This brief document outlines how you will fund, produce, and sell your feature film.

Key Takeaways

• First things first, you have to have a clear plan for your movie. It's like your roadmap for the whole creative trip.
• Facing challenges in filmmaking? It's all worth seeing how much people enjoy the movies you've made.”
• Knowing what you want is huge. Once you know your filmmaking goals, you're ready to hit the ground running and make things happen in your film.

Popular Questions:

Ready to jumpstart your filmmaking goals?

Here are some straightforward answers to common questions about setting filmmaking goals quickly. Just like our goal-setting approach, these FAQs are all about getting you on the fast track to making your movie.

Glossary

Here's a glossary of terms related to setting filmmaking goals fast.

Film Business Plan: A film business plan is a strategic document that outlines the entire filmmaking process, from pre-production to distribution. It includes details on budgeting, financing, marketing, and distribution strategies.

Goal Setting: Goal setting is the process of defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives to guide your filmmaking efforts. It helps in creating a clear roadmap to success.

Networking: Networking in filmmaking involves building relationships and connections within the industry. It includes interactions with fellow filmmakers, producers, actors, and professionals to discover opportunities and collaborations.

Tech-Savvy: Being tech-savvy means having a good understanding of and proficiency with the latest technologies and tools used in filmmaking. It enables filmmakers to stay updated and innovative in their work.

Filmmaking Goals: These are the objectives and targets that filmmakers set for themselves to achieve in their filmmaking journey. These goals can include completing a screenplay, securing funding, or finishing post-production work.

Filmmaking Process: The filmmaking process is the step-by-step sequence of activities involved in making a film. It typically includes pre-production, production (shooting), and post-production (editing, sound design, etc.).

Script to Screen: This phrase refers to the entire filmmaking process, from the initial idea or script to the final edited film that is ready for viewing.

Industry Insights: Industry insights are valuable information and knowledge about trends, developments, and best practices within the filmmaking industry. Staying informed about these insights can be crucial for success.

Collaborators: Collaborators are individuals or entities that work together on a filmmaking project. They can include actors, directors, writers, producers, and crew members who contribute their skills and expertise.

Distribution Strategies: Distribution strategies are plans for how a film will be made available to its audience, whether through theaters, streaming platforms, DVD sales, or other distribution channels.

Budgeting: Budgeting in filmmaking involves creating a financial plan that outlines how funds will be allocated throughout the various stages of production, ensuring that the project stays within budget.

Filmmaking Guide: A filmmaking guide is a resource that provides valuable information, tips, and advice to filmmakers to help them navigate the complex process of making a film.

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