I WANT TO MAKE MOVIES…

I don’t know where to start.
You have come to the right place.
Here is something contrary to the common belief that the creative industry is for dull, unlearned individuals who dropped out of school because they were too lazy to learn: the creative industry is the one industry where those unwilling to keep learning cannot survive.
Think about how actors have to become people they have never seen and convince the audience that they are who they say they are.
Think about how the writers create worlds, people, and sets of beliefs and creatively argue on different topics using storytelling and how the impact of stories led to some laws changing.
Honestly, the creative is not for the faint-hearted.
So, where do you start?
EDUCATE YOURSELF
There are many ways to learn and equip yourself, so do not let this statement about educating yourself make you lose interest in your dream of making films. There are more ways to learn different things now- including how to make films- than ever before.
Find a way that works for you. If it takes watching how-to videos endlessly on YouTube, do that. If it takes attending all the workshops hosted by different film industry organizations, attend them. If it takes lending all the books about screenwriting and making movies from the library, then read.
If you are willing to invest time learning how to make movies, you will end up with your film. It is guaranteed.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Attending workshops is a way of learning; it will help you meet different people at different stages of learning and filmmaking. You will find your potential future collaborators here.
The key to making these relationships work for you is building meaningful relationships. Be sincere about your pursuit, but do not pressure people to finish your project quickly. These things take time.
If you connect and start building a relationship via social media networks, engage with the people you wish to work with in conversation and comment on their work. If they have released a movie project you believe is good, you can say but do not lie about a project that did not impress you.
KNOW THE INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS
There are organizations in the film and TV industry. They all have different programs for industry practitioners. These organizations unearth new creative voices, develop new talent, and support economic growth for the practitioners in the creative arts.
UMLAZI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BLOG ARTICLES
It is good for someone interested in making a movie to know these organizations, understand how they adjudicate funding applications, and learn how to find a team to help you bring your story to life.
LINKS TO SOME FILM INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Durban Film Office (DFO)
https://film.durban.gov.za
KwaZulu Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZN TAFA)
www.zulu.org.za
www.kznfilm.co.za
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
www.nfvf.co.za
South African Guild of Actors (SAGA)
https://saguildofactors.co.za/
Independent Producers Organization (IPO)
https://ipo.org.za/
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