Filmmaking / Directing

https://youtu.be/KkLL-8xosqw

Here, I share my thoughts on how Pluribus's slow storytelling feels interesting. Do share your thoughts.

Here are 50 tips I believe you need to have, learn or nurture to help you work and survive in the film and television business today:

41. Protect Your Reputation: Uphold professional integrity and treat others with respect. A good reputation can lead to more opportunities, while a bad reputation can close doors.

42. Stay Healthy: The demanding nature of film production can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Prioritize self-care, including regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest. A healthy lifestyle enhances your ability to handle the industry's demands.

43. Stay Informed: Keep up with industry news, trends, and technological advancements. This knowledge can help you stay relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing field.

44. Seek Mentorship: Find experienced professionals who can offer guidance, advice, and support. Mentors can help you navigate the industry, avoid common pitfalls, and accelerate your career growth.

45. Stay Organized: Use project management tools and keep meticulous records of your work, schedules, and contacts. Staying organized helps you manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently. Consistent organization minimizes stress and enhances productivity.

46. Stay True to Your Artistic Vision: Be mindful of audience expectations. Find a balance between creative expression and commercial viability. Trusting your instincts while remaining open to collaboration can help you create work that connects both artistically and commercially.

47. Stay Updated on Industry Trends: New technologies and filmmaking techniques are continuously emerging. Take workshops, courses, and seminars to enhance your skills and stay ahead in the industry.

48. Treat Everyone with Respect: Build strong relationships with everyone to create a positive working environment. Filmmaking is a collaborative process, and strong relationships enhance the production quality.

49. Understand the Legal Aspects: Including contracts, copyright, and distribution rights. Seeking legal advice when necessary ensures your work is protected and compliant.

50. And Finally - You Need to Have Passion and Enthusiasm: These are the driving forces behind your creative endeavors and will sustain you through the inevitable challenges of the filmmaking process. Passion fuels creativity, motivates you to push boundaries, and inspires others. Passion keeps you motivated and focused on your goals - because some days, passion may be the only thing that will keep you going!

Hey Filmmaking Lounge,

This week, my creative growth hasn’t looked like learning something new. It’s looked like learning how to carry a lot at once, trusting that my creativity is still there even when I’m tired, and reminding myself that preparation is part of the process.

Between packing, painting, wrapping up end-of-year work, preparing for a move, and laying groundwork for 2026, my brain has been pretty full. There hasn’t been much extra bandwidth for big creative breakthroughs or deep dives into new techniques. And that’s okay.

What this week has reinforced for me is that growth doesn’t always show up as momentum or inspiration. Sometimes it shows up as endurance. As learning how to stay steady when life gets loud. As trusting that the creative part of you doesn’t disappear just because it’s temporarily in maintenance mode.

Preparation counts. Systems count. Rest counts. Carrying the load now makes room for creative clarity later.

What about you?

What has creative growth looked like for you this week? Has it been learning something new, or simply learning how to keep going, recalibrate, or give yourself permission to slow down?

As creatives, our work is shaped not just by what we make, but by how we move through these in-between seasons. I’d love to hear what yours has looked like.

I’m a Liz Garbus fan and thought this was great: https://filmmakermagazine.com/132592-interview-liz-garbus-documentary-2025/

I’m sharing my experience with the recent ReelShort contest because I’m genuinely trying to understand whether I’m missing something.

I entered the contest hoping to catch ReelShort’s attention and potentially pitch an original series. That’s why I submitted projects across different genres.

Although there was a public voting phase, the rules stated that the final decision would be made by a professional jury.

Some of you supported my entries here—thank you. For those who haven’t seen them:

https://tinyurl.com/16suspense

https://tinyurl.com/49beyondgenres

https://tinyurl.com/48beyondgenres

After reviewing the final results, I noticed that the top entry in the Suspense category violated two stated rules: it wasn’t vertical, and it wasn’t a complete work—it was a pilot episode.

Judge it yourself: https://tinyurl.com/1suspense

Meanwhile, my project Shadows of the Departed was rejected twice for being a pilot, forcing me to rewrite and change the ending just to be accepted.

While my entries placed 48 and 49 in Beyond Genres, I was surprised to see very amateur submissions ranking higher—such as the 16th-place entry, which consisted of a camera set against a computer monitor displaying a PowerPoint presentation as a background, with simple paper cut-out figures mounted on sticks moved in front of the lens. The result felt almost like a narrative device one would expect in a comedy script, where the protagonist puts in genuine effort only to be outperformed by something deliberately absurd.

See for yourself: https://tinyurl.com/16beyondgenres

More than a month after the winners were announced, the prize I was told I had won still hasn’t been paid, which only adds to my concerns. I also contacted ReelShort’s PR department and have not received a response so far.

I genuinely want feedback. If you think I’m wrong, tell me. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

California just awarded $116.2 million in tax credits to 28 new films, part of its expanded $750 million annual fund to keep Hollywood productions local. It was announced that 38 films were part of the tax incentive but we now have an in-depth breakdown of which independent and non-independent films are receiving the grant!

Some studio headliners include a Snoop Dogg biopic (Universal, $17 million), Ang Lee's "Gold Mountain" ($7.6 million), a Glen Powell-produced film (Sony, $9.9 million), and Gina Rodriguez's "Guerrero" ($4.4 million).

The state estimates this round will generate over $562 million in spending and create thousands of jobs. It's California's major play to stop productions from leaving for other states and countries.

Read more about the incentives here! https://deadline.com/2025/12/california-tax-credits-films-1236650657/

Here are 50 tips I believe you need to have, learn or nurture to help you work and survive in the film and television business today:

31. Maintain an Open Mind: Embrace curiosity as a lifelong learner and seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth. Continuous learning keeps your skills sharp and your work innovative.

32. Maintain a Positive Attitude: Stay optimistic and resilient, even when facing challenges and setbacks. A positive attitude can help you build strong relationships and maintain motivation.

33. Network Strategically: Form meaningful connections with industry professionals at all levels. Attend film festivals and seminars to meet potential collaborators, mentors, and investors. Networking strategically can open doors to new opportunities and partnerships.

34. Never Lose Sight of your Dreams: Despite the challenges and obstacles you may face, let your passion for filmmaking fuel your ambition and drive you toward your goals. Your dreams keep you motivated and focused on your long-term vision.

35. Nurture Industry Connections: Through networking events, film festivals, and online platforms. Relationships are crucial in the film business, and knowing the right people can open many doors.

36. Persistence is Crucial: Keep pitching your ideas, applying for grants, and seeking funding. The film industry can be challenging, and rejection is common, but persistence can lead to success.

37. Practice Clear Communication: Ensure everyone on your crew is working towards a common goal. Effective communication is essential for collaboration and leadership in filmmaking.

38. Prioritize Self Care: Such as exercise, mindfulness, and time off to recharge and prevent burnout. The demanding nature of filmmaking can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being.

39. Promote Your Work: Use social media, personal websites, and film festivals to showcase your work. Effective self-promotion helps you build an audience and attract potential collaborators. A strong online presence and engaging with your audience can significantly enhance your opportunities.

40. Protect Your Work: Ensure that you have the necessary legal protections for your work, including contracts and copyrights. Seek legal advice when needed to safeguard your intellectual property. Protecting your work preserves your creative rights and future earning potential.

Next Article: 50 Tips on How to Work and Survive in the "Business" (pt5)

Sundance Institute

Announcing the 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Program, presented by Ketel One. The Short Film Program showcases projects across fiction, nonfiction, and animation, globally. Get online access to a curated collection of Festival short films with the Short Films Pass, available for purchase now.

https://festival.sundance.org/program/films/category=5fa7d17c0329c105a03...

I never thought I’d end up creating dramatized content in vertical format, but it’s clearly gaining serious traction. According to recent reports, vertical dramas have generated over $6 billion in the last two years — and it’s just getting started.

For the ReelShort contest, I produced two short dramas and one short film. One of them is a fan-made anime adaptation of the platform’s most popular drama. I edited and finished 8 one-minute episodes in just 30 hours with no sleep — my goal was 10 (since the prize for over 10 episodes is $50K), but I had to lock it at episode 8 and submitted it 7 minutes before the deadline.

Because I joined the contest on the last day, my entries don’t have as many public votes compared to others that have been live for months. The voting closes on October 27, so if you could check them out, tap the heart to vote, and share your feedback from filmaker’s perspective, I’d really appreciate it.

8 Episodes – Fated to My Forbidden Alpha (Fan Adaptation): https://www.reelshort.com/episodes/episode-1-fated-to-my-forbidden-alpha...

3 Episodes – Jackpot Love: https://www.reelshort.com/episodes/episode-1-jackpot-love-68eee67e125c9a...

Short Film – Shadows of the Departed: https://www.reelshort.com/episodes/episode-1-shadows-of-the-departed-68e...