Get Reel-Ready: How to Prepare for a Film Making Career After 12th

Preparing to Be a Film Maker: 5 Excellent Tips for Aspirants and Amateurs

• Learn about all the different functions involved in film making

Contrary to popular belief, film making is not restricted to the process of direction. It involves several other functions that together create magic on screen. As a film making aspirant, take the first step and understand these functions – writing, casting, planning, production, lighting, costume, art direction, set design, cinematography, editing and music.

• Understand and learn filming technology

To become an ace film maker, you need to know about every piece of equipment that is involved in the process of making a film. While you may argue that your interest lies in a specific subset (direction, for instance), it is essential for a film maker to be familiar with every function of the job – the kinds of cameras used for filming, the gears for capturing sound, music production, VFX equipment etc.

• Work on your writing skills

Ask any great film maker, and they will tell you that good writing makes a good movie. The plot, story arc, characters, and presentation – make all the difference. So, if you have your heart set on a career in film making, work on your writing skills! There are several blogs and websites that offer fantastic information around topics like story writing, character development, script or screenwriting, screenplay writing, storyboarding, and more.

• Figure out how postproduction works

Postproduction is a massive part of modern-day film making, and it is almost impossible to imagine a mainstream production that does not involve a bucketload of visual effects. Digital editing is an indispensable cog in the wheel, and contemporary software has made the process fast and convenient. You can equip yourself with basic knowledge about postproduction processes and the various techniques involved in them.

• Develop your visual thinking abilities

Orson Welles once said, “Create your own visual style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable to others.” Develop your ability to imagine what a thought, idea, or written material will look like on-screen. Learn from the masters. Watch and analyse films, shows, series, commercials, and different kinds of videos – you will find lots of Greatest of All Time… lists online.

                                                                                                             EXPLORE OUR FILMMAKING COURSE IN PUNE

If you have a camera at your disposal, becoming a director is far too easy. Hey, you don’t even need a budget to get started!

“Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director.”

– James Cameron (The Terminator, Judgment Day, Titanic, Avatar)

What will also hold you in good stead when you start learning the nuances of film making is being well-read and socio-politically aware.

“Having an excellent understanding of history, literature, psychology, sciences – is very, very important to actually being able to make movies.”

– George Lucas (Star Wars, Indiana Jones)

While these pieces of advice are great starting points for those who wish to be film makers someday, formal training in the subject is equally important. That doesn’t necessarily mean lots and lots of theoretical learning, rather it implies understanding the fundamentals of film making and applying them to practical projects. At Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism, this is exactly how we enable young minds to learn film making.

Once you complete your 12th, you can then enroll in a  professional film making course like the degree in film making we offer at our Pune, Bengaluru and  Chandigarh campuses. Alternatively, you can opt for a shorter program like our film making diploma in Pune or  Bengaluru.