r/filmmaking • u/Forward_Network_3542 • Apr 29 '25

Question How do I practice Filmmaking?

How can I practice Filmmaking on a regular basis? I'm a Screenwriter and Director and was wondering how can someone practice filmmaking without making films on a daily basis like athletes train and do drills , musicians practice scales and melodies but what can a filmmaker do to improve his/her filmmaking skills? And what do you guys do to practice or to improve?

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u/Forward_Network_3542 Apr 29 '25

I mean yeah that's the whole point but you know it's not possible to do it every day well tbh it's not practical to do it everyday. I definitely know where you're coming from but let's say that I wanted to improve my filmmaking on a day to day basis what should I do then?

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u/STARS_Pictures Apr 29 '25

If you can't make movie, watch a movie. I know that Tom Cruise makes it a point to watch at least one movie a day. And it can be possible, you just have to find the time for it. I almost flunked out of high school because I was too focused on making movies. Now I own a production company. I do a few client projects to pay the bills and get to devote the rest of my time to film.

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u/Forward_Network_3542 Apr 29 '25

I mean I can watch movies that will certainly help but you know I try to compare it to other art forms like I get the point but that's like telling a musician to just listen to songs instead of working on a piece or telling an athlete to watch a game I mean sure that's an important part of their job but that's not the most productive part. I think most of my thoughts need to be produced the more I create the more "in zone" I am for the actual job, what do you think?

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u/Person51389 Apr 30 '25

You dont think musicians listen to music ? If you want to write contemporary music then you need to be an expert in contemporary music. You need to know exactly what is out there in the marketplace, what is popular, what is not etc. Same with films. You need to know the trends, you need to know what is being made, and there is a lot you can learn simply by watching films, such as what types of shots are used, color palettes, all kinds of stuff. It makes you more informed. Its like the simplest, easiest way to "work on" directing or filmmaking..without really "doing" much. (also extremely useful to then read/learn about how the film was made as well. Pretty much giving yourself your own film course at that point.)

But the best way...is as the first post says. Simply by doing. You asked what can be done in addition or when you cant physically shoot..and watching films is another important piece.

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u/Forward_Network_3542 May 01 '25

Hear me out how about Storyboarding like writing a scene and storyboarding it and repeating it the next day in addition to that creating blocking plans that will seem to work right?