Well, while I'm still "starting," I'll tell you how I started starting, and what I would do now, had I
just started. The first thing I did was buy one of the hundreds of filmmaking books I found on Amazon. I went through that one, searched for more--
Actually, the first thing I did was research the camera I was planning on purchasing. I googled its model number so many times, I knew Google's updating schedule. So I searched, read, searched, read. Most of what I found were comparisons of my camera vs. the more expensive camera. So I researched the more expensive one as much as the other, until I knew everything about every camera an independent filmmaker might consider. Just doing this taught me a lot about filmmaking, gradually.
Then, I hit the forums, like dvinfo.net, dvxuser.com, studentfilmmakers.com. Really, anything remotely centered around filmmaking worked, just so I could hear other's experiences, and learn on their backs.
Then, I hit the books on Amazon.com from a recommendation on one of the aforementioned forums. Obviously, the internet's helpful, but let's not forget how useful a book can be. I picked up $30 Film School first, then Dov's "From Reel to Deal." At this point, I didn't know what my plan was. I knew I liked writing, but couldn't see myself as a director. So I went the other way for a while, picking up all the screenwriting books and magazines I could find. In doing this, I realized how much I wanted to direct a script of my own. So, back to the general filmmaking books.
Then I found a website online for the film school I would eventually go to. It looked good, it looked easy, and, best of all, it was cheap. It was a one year program, with very little theory-based learning, and a lot of hands-on. The hands-on was good for understanding how to use a film camera, because before then, I never knew how huge the feature of autofocusing was.
Anyway, as to where you should start, you should start where you need to. Which is anywhere, as long as it's progressing towards you goal of filmmaking. If you want to direct, read a book, stick around this forum and others. Maybe find a school in your area. Or, you could create your own path, and make the next Blair Witch from what you've got. Better yet, combine the two. Spend half your time learning through the internet and books, then the other half, take a camera and shoot something more than a home-video. Stage something small with a niece or nephew who loves being in front of the camera. (I've made more 10 Year Old Secret Agent / Late for School / I Missed the Bus stories than anything else)
What I did, which I now realize I couldn't have gone without doing any different, is immerse myself in filmmaking. I was and still am glued to filmmaking websites when I'm on the computer. When I'm not, my face is in the books. Then I'll write a small script I can shoot, or simply just create the script as I shoot, and continue learning from there. I've been doing these for so long, I don't know how my head could've ever been anywhere else.
As for what software to buy, I first suggest taking advantage of free trials.
For screenwriting, see Final Draft -
www.finaldraft.com.
For editing, the first question is, PC or Mac? I've only edited with Avid on a PC, which is the top dog, so I'm not sure what would be reasonable to start with. If you're on a Mac, iMovie is great.
Just a small point, is that your first question shouldn't be what you should buy. Keep it simple and cheap where possible. The internet's free. Soak it dry.
Writeum!
