Is Filmmaking right for me?

Radhika

Radhika

Hello Filmmaking Community,
I'm Radhika, a thirteen year old from Los Angeles, California. I have spent the majority of my years writing, but I like to call myself a storyteller instead. I'm still looking for ways to tell my stories, and I think the only things I am interested in at this point is filmmaking and writing.
Starting up as a filmmaker requires a lot more resources than a writer. I could write in my spare time as a child, but back in the day - I didn't have access to the camera. I was exposed to cameras a lot with home videos, but I was never a professional film with meanings addict. I wasn't exposed to them, and can now only watch them without permission from the parents. (Because a majority of them are rated R, and said again, I am thirteen).
I still consider myself young, and may even pursue these two forms of art - writing and filmmaking. I also now have access to a camera, practically whenever I want.
The question is - is filmmaking right for me?
I've been a proud watcher of Vimeo and [quality] YouTube videos for years now and have always thought of making my own videos. I've also commented on the cinematography of every movie for the past couple of years. I believe out of the family, I have the best natural eye for it. The only things that make me doubt filmmaking are the fact that I don't watch those meaningful movies and I don't understand the oscars, and of course, filming people. If I had to film anything, I don't think I'd be the one to involve actors, and try to go into a more abstract or nature form of filming.
Do you think I should try my hand at filmmaking?
Thanks!

-Radhika
 
Welcome!

To answer your question, well, I think you have to answer your own question.

Try it though! It sounds like your parents have a camera, get a friend and have them say some lines in front of it. Try it, you may love it, you may not.

Not every movie with a deeper meaning is rated R. There's plenty of great PG and PG-13 movies with lots of depth. In fact, I think every Pixar movie fits that ticket. Besides, not every movie has to be a new revelation of the Hunan condition. Action and comedies are fun to make too.

The only way to know is to try. Don't worry about the quality at first, just do it. I'd you like it, read up here and on other websites (with parental permission) and work on improving one aspect of your craft at a time.

I didn't realize I wanted to direct until I was 17 and making a video for Spanish class. It clicked, I knew it's what I wanted to do with my life. From there I volunteered at my church and other places and now I edit full time, produce my own stuff in between. I love it.
 
Well, Radhika, you seem like a natural born producer. The big picture is super important when making a big picture. All of your options are open to you right now, so I would suggest you experience every detail of film making to see what you like and see what your talents reveal.

Sometimes the best trips come down to how much fun you had on the journey.
 
to really know if something is for you, you got to do it and see if you enjoy it. Practice, make it a hobby, etc. sooner or later you will realize for yourself what you really want to do, but again to reach this point. you have to do it, make videos
 
Pick up that camera and shoot something! Then load the footage into a computer and cut it together with editing software and tell us story.

Do it! Do it! Do it!

That's the only way you'll know if it's right for you.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6ALySsPXt0

I hope this doesn't sound condescending, but at your age, there is absolutely no reason for anything to be absolute. For all you know, you might be the world's best linguist, or perhaps you're an entemologist, or perhaps you're the world's best flair bartender (and they make good money). You'll figure things out in time.

For now, it sounds to me like you would have a passion for filmmaking, so you should definitely try it. Really give it your all, and have fun. I'd be willing to bet you'll stick with it. Why do I say that? Well, I personally don't know one person who has taken an interest in filmmaking, and lost interest. Every single person I know who thought they might enjoy it, and gave it a try, has stuck with it, in one way or another. So, based on what you wrote above, combined with my personal experiences, it sounds to me like you're definitely a filmmaker.
 
Thanks, the motivational comments within such a short span of time tell me that tomorrow, I'm going to pick up the camera and take a shot. But, the goal for tonight is to finish this essay and try to figure out what to film about tomorrow.
A question I'd like to ask quickly - should I go with YouTube, Vimeo, or something else to upload my videos through? I'm really thinking of Vimeo because of the community, but I'm doubtful. (Yes, I think you can tell by now, I'm doubtful about a lot of things, especially when I haven't tried what I'm trying to figure out).
 
Thanks for the recommendation Cracker. At the moment, I am as broke as an artist could be (my allowance from the government - also known as parents - has disappeared for supposedly being a "bad kid."). I'll try going to the library and finding it, otherwise, it's time to get my own economy crisis away! I need the money for my artistic needs.
 
Don't do it! Forget about it! Stay away from it! It will only lead to heartache and frustration!


No? Okay.


Give it a shot. Volunteer on no-budget indie shoots. Be an extra, a stand-in, a PA, anything you can do; that's the way you learn. And, of course, shoot your own projects; that's another way to learn. And BTW, try to excel in school. Believe it or not it's a huge help in the long run. The information you are taught may not always be useful, but the discipline and slogging your way through the un-fun stuff is extremely valuable. And don't ignore any theatre, music and other media related activities at school. The more experiences and knowledge you have the more you will have to draw upon.

And always remember:

Sound is half of the experience​
 
Welcome.
Radhika said:
The question is - is filmmaking right for me?
Click to expand...
The only way to know is to give it a try, right?

Radhika said:
Do you think I should try my hand at filmmaking?
Click to expand...
I think you should try it. You have access to a camera, you
can start shooting something right away. As you grow you
can start working on getting better audio and using lights
and even working with actors some time down the road.

What will you do if you DON'T give it a try?
 
Cracker Funk said:
I'm quite sure you can find a way to scrape together $10.
Click to expand...

I looked in my piggybank, and all I found was a foreign coin. :] I'll find a way though, I always do.

At Alcove: Thanks for the input. Though, at the moment, I'm involved in Chorus, and I got a 4.0 last semester (highest for middle schoolers), so I'm not neglecting school at all. [The above suggests I am not a bad kid and I believe I deserve that allowance.] I have more than enough spare time to devote to art, while at the same time, art does help me with school. This is especially because of writing, which has been a bigger part of this year's curriculum. (Aced it all!)

At Directorik: If I don't try, I'll find myself regretting it for the rest of my life when I don't have the time and creativity like I do now.
I'm going to try tomorrow. (Because I can not grab the camera at nearly 11PM)
 
NO ! you will never make a big movie, it takes too much money, all actors are flakes, too much to learn, very complicated, you have to know somebody, one in a million shot of getting distribution...

If you disregard everything said above and plow through everything... you should be a filmmaker. It takes a lot of drive and effort. Do it if you want to express yourself. Do not be boring. Educate me, entertain me, excite me and blow me away !!

Good Luck !
 
Sounds like you should just grab the camera - stick tape in it and shoot.

Documentary stlye - about school/friends/hobby/nature anything - just shoot...

All the very best, Jim.
 
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