My first glimpse of Hollywood came through the lens of film school. A place where everything seems possible. I attended a stone’s throw from major studios.
Gotta say, it was incredible! But there was a problem. A reality that sometimes doesn’t hit until after graduation.
What was it?
Film school taught me a lot about making movies. It didn’t teach me how to find work after school. The reason?
Because it’s nearly impossible to find work in the industry after film school. Especially if you want to write and direct. In 2020 there were around twice the amount of scripted productions as there were in 2010. That sounds good, right?
Yes and no.
It’s nearly impossible to find work in the industry after film school. Especially if you want to write and direct.
If you add up the students graduating each year from my school alone, you quickly realize the film industry can’t absorb the influx of wanna-be filmmakers.
Add to this productions operating with smaller crews, union battles, struggles for diversity — It’s a tough, creative world out there.
Fortunately, someone I met who worked at Universal Pictures got me onto a couple films as an editorial production assistant (PA). Both movies were directed by Bob Odenkirk.
So it happened, right? I was on studio films! Driving onto the Sony and Universal lots. Working around filmmakers like Bob Odenkirk, Kristen Wiig, Will Arnett and more. My filmmaking life had begun!
Not so fast.
I was just an errand boy. To be a PA all somebody needs is a car, a map of LA and a knowledge of where the restaurants and Coffee Beans are.
Film school not required.
But that’s okay. Being a PA would let me work up the ladder, right?
Wrong. Stats show that only 1% of PAs ever go on to direct their own films.
One percent???
As an editorial PA, what I was doing was nowhere close to directing movies. It wasn’t even in the same vicinity as writing and directing.
And I was only getting older.
I decided to jump into the world of independent film. At least I could work in key, creative positions vs getting coffee. You know, build credits on IMDb which is huge.
But indie film doesn’t pay the bills — if it pays at all.
If you say “no” to a job due to lack of pay, there is a line of people behind you waiting to take it. The system is broken, and it’s not going to be fixed any time soon.
What I was doing was nowhere close to directing movies. It wasn’t even in the same vicinity as writing and directing
So I was working in creative positions and building IMDb credits, but had no money. I had to get a full time job and work films nights and weekends. Long hours.
Why the sob story?
Because this is the challenge for anyone who wants to make movies. Especially those of us who want to write and direct our own films. When you graduate from film school you’ll start out like everyone else: Trying to break into an industry where the primary entry points are loads of experience, credits on IMDb and an audience.
The OBVIOUS question:
How do you gain experience, obtain credits and build an audience if you can’t get hired?
Many film school graduates end up working jobs not even related to filmmaking, just to make ends meet. Others give up. Some land an industry job, only to be stuck for years in a position they never wanted.
Many film school graduates end up working jobs not even related to filmmaking, just to make ends meet.
You have to get ahead now, or you’ll just be pushed further down the line with each graduating class from every film school on the planet.
But most of us sink all of our money into school. There’s nothing left to fund movies.
Since film school I’ve worked in many positions. From editing and sound design to post supervision and acting to writing, directing and producing.
In 2020 while wrapping a film, a life altering idea hit me.
What was it?
Teach people who want to write and direct how to do it right, without the crushing weight of school loans or the distractions of film school.
I had discovered the hard way that to break into the film industry you need experience, IMDb credits and an audience. That’s the minimum.
And the only way to get there is by writing and directing your own films. The total cost of learning the craft of filmmaking isn’t limited to tuition. It must include paying rent, buying food and making movies after graduation.
Write & Direct fixes alleviates the cost burden of tuition. This is cohesive training unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and at a fraction of the cost. You’ll learn things that took me years to learn after graduating from film school.
Are you on the fence regarding how to start your filmmaking career?
I will take you through the detailed steps of how to make a movie. From initial idea through post production. You will write and direct a film that you can enter into festivals and even submit to IMDb. Plus, you will understand more about writing and directing than many students who graduate from film school.
And that’s just the beginning.
You might be thinking, “I can find tons of free training on YouTube.”
You’re right, but not like this. Not even close.
You will understand more about writing and directing than many of the students who graduate from film school.
Write & Direct teaches you what you need to know in a complete, fluid manner. And it teaches you how to do everything. Why? Robert Rodriguez says it best:
“Being creative is not enough in this business. You have to become technical. Creative people are born creative. You’re lucky. […] Too many creative people don’t want to learn how to be technical. So what happens? They become dependent on technical people. Become technical. You can learn that. If you’re creative and technical, you’re unstoppable.”
I know what beginning filmmakers need to know. Let me help you side step a few land mines, and get your life as a filmmaker heading in the right direction in less time and with far less money spent.
Write & Direct will literally change your life. If you enroll and don’t like it for any reason, you get a full refund. It’s that simple.
It’s time to green light your filmmaking career! Enroll in the director’s film school today!
If your answer is yes, Write & Direct is your inciting incident. It's your catalyst in the journey to becoming a filmmaker. There's nothing else quite like it. Enroll today or find out more below:
Write & Direct is cohesive training that begins with development and takes you through pre-production, production and post. Whether you've made a few short films or are completely new to filmmaking, this online film school can transform your future.
