By Steve Conway – 19/11/23 – Filmmaker
The enigma of timing in filmmaking: When is the right moment to start your film? Amidst doubts and uncertainties, uncovering this perfect moment might be easier than you think.
Let’s get the big one out of the way now.
The “obvious” answer to this question by many is when you have secured a budget to turn your script into a reality. But what if there is no budget? Do you then choose not to make your film and abandon that dream?
Based on my own experience of lacking a budget, I have since advised others that it is worthwhile to pursue some form of funding, whether through a filmmaking grant, private investment, or similar avenues. It makes sense for lots of reasons, even if it only offers a little assistance in some areas.
But, be under no illusion, this money is not certain to arrive at all. In-fact, there is a high likelihood that it won’t come, or even if some does, it could take a very long time to reach you. That is why I am a staunch advocate of having the confidence to make a film without a budget and not letting the lack of one stop you in your tracks completely.
Of course, taking the route of no budget favours people who already have some experience in filmmaking, especially in shooting and editing footage, and who have access to their own equipment. No denying that ticking those boxes is a significant advantage, and this blog post is more aimed at those individuals.
That is not to say that others without similar advantages cannot make a no-budget film, but obviously, more time must be invested in finding people who can provide support, in areas such as filming and editing, which is not impossible to do.
Best Time to Start Filmmaking
Let’s assume you have your final script after countless months (or years) of rewrites and edits. This script is crafted specifically to be producible with little to zero budget, as you have decided that the money just isn’t going to arrive to pull off the more outlandish version.
In my opinion, the answer to the overall question of this blog post is that there is no perfect time to get the wheels in motion and start planning to make your film now, so you might as well begin.
If you really want to make a film, then what other project is more important than that to you?
As I briefly touched on in a previous post, you will have a lot on your plate, not only with the production of the film itself but also with the other aspects surrounding it.
From the start, it is crucial to pay attention to finding and building an audience, addressing distribution, and determining where your film will ultimately be seen upon it’s completion, to name just a few of those aspects.
Waiting for the stars to be perfectly aligned before commencing with all of this is futile.
It is just delaying something that will eventually feel like a full-time job.
Filmmaking Timing Advice
It is also very much about you as a person right now and your current circumstances, including where you are mentally and physically.
Maybe now is the perfect time to attempt making your low-to-no-budget film and you do not even realise it.
When I look back ten years to when I first decided to make my debut feature film, in the manner that I did, I ask myself, could I do that now?
Would I want to do that now?
Back then I was twenty-nine years old, with no major commitments beyond covering my bills and supporting myself.
The bottom line: if there was ever an ‘appropriate’ time in my life to be incredibly selfish, self-centered, and obsessed, all characteristics I knew I had to embrace for this endeavour, it was surely then.
Not to mention also willing to throw my entire life off track for it, and perpetually delay all other life goals, and all other film projects, until it’s completion.
I was young enough, brimming with energy and enthusiasm, and perhaps even naive and foolish enough to take it on.
It was also like rocket-fuel to sustain the journey, and that is what you need, in abundance.
Making the film itself is one mountain, while addressing everything that surrounds it, such as those aspects mentioned above, is another. However, it won’t be long before you spot in the distance the numerous other huge peaks you are about to encounter as well.
Those other mountains to climb are called the naysayers – people talking you out of it, time, huge self-doubt, negativity, criticism, solitude, patience, frustration, the urge to turn back, stress, lack of money, fear of missing out, pressure, sacrifices, and, of course, the monstrous mountain called mental battles.
These are just some, and without doubt they are on their way if deciding to go down this route, so why put it all off?
Will delaying it eventually make it easier to take all of that on?
Will you grow less weary, garner more energy, become more enthusiastic, and take on fewer commitments and priorities, as time moves on?
Then of course, there is the flip side to all of this, by that I mean trying to jump-start and address all those aspects in life that you have pushed to one side, for years sometimes, while making your film, which is another battle entirely.
This also includes addressing the person you become along the way and what needs to be cut loose.
Again, will delaying everything make that easier to do further down the road?
I am still battling them now, ten years later.
You might read all of this and think, Jesus – why would I, or anyone for that matter, want to put themselves through all of that? Which is understandable.
I don’t say all of this to scare you.
As much as anything else, it’s also about stepping outside of your comfort zone, pushing your own boundaries, discovering your capabilities, experimenting, and uncovering new talents you never knew you had. This, in turn, leads to unlocking various forms of creativity and could also go on to help you in other future endeavours.
A lot of this might not ever be unlocked unless you do go down this road first.
It is a double-edged sword, not to be taken lightly, but also an exciting one.
Just bear in mind these three things:
- The ‘perfect time’ to begin your filmmaking journey might never arrive.
- While experience in filming and access to equipment are advantageous, determination and resourcefulness play significant roles.
- Pursuing filmmaking often demands significant personal commitment, sacrifice, mental fortitude, and the confrontation of challenges.
No doubt, many other unforeseen fortuitous events that will help you along the way will also only present themselves after you get the wheels turning. You also never know how long the windows of time to do a certain thing will stay open for you. So just go for it, and don’t regret not at least attempting it.
Do I Need a Professional-Grade Cinema Camera to Make a Film?
Like most dedicated filmmakers, I shared similar equipment concerns when I set out to create my first feature-length film. This topic is a common point of discussion among fellow creators. Dive deeper into equipment considerations by downloading my free, concise 4-page PDF guide, available here.
Steve Conway Films 