THE most successful filmmaker of all time is a fan of just using what you've got.

Cracker Funk

Cracker Funk

The quality of James Cameron's films are oft debated. Personally, I'm a fan. Big-time.

What can't be debated is his box-office success. No filmmaker has come even close. Spielberg, Bay, Abrams, Lucas, they could all learn a lesson from Cameron when it comes to putting butts in seats.

And he advocates that you just start filming. Just. Start. Filming. Though he doesn't state as much, the implication is that you don't need fancy equipment. You just need to start filming. This is the advice coming from the most financially successful filmmaker in the history of film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7cLXHYIDeM
 
Cracker Funk said:
The quality of James Cameron's films are oft debated. Personally, I'm a fan. Big-time.

What can't be debated is his box-office success. No filmmaker has come even close. Spielberg, Bay, Abrams, Lucas, they could all learn a lesson from Cameron when it comes to putting butts in seats.

And he advocates that you just start filming. Just. Start. Filming. Though he doesn't state as much, the implication is that you don't need fancy equipment. You just need to start filming. This is the advice coming from the most financially successful filmmaker in the history of film.
Click to expand...

But every filmmaker will tell you this.
Cause you have to start doing it in order to be doing it at all. It's kind of like asking, "How do I get clean teeth?" Yo! Just start brushing them, you doofus, and you'll already be doing better than you were before.

This isn't some magical tip that'll get you on the right track, this is just getting started period. An better helpful tip would be something more thought provoking, like...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfiCdpmuFUE

When every director tells you the same thing: "Just start filming," "Just start shooting," "Just start making films," it's something to take to heart if it knocks you out of your stupor. But it isn't something to get all excited about: cause at the end of the day, it's pretty darn obvious.

The tips and lessons and wisdom we SHOULD be sharing are things which are not so obvious. Things which make us ponder, and contemplate, and really think through how and why we capture and shoot the things we do. This way, we actively want to understand why professional filmmakers do what they do so that we, in-turn, can directly apply it to what we do, as amateurs.

And I don't care how much of a novice you are. The sooner you start thinking about how and why you make your films, the sooner you'll be making good ones.
 
I will never dismiss anyones favorite filmmaker. And I understand that
being a fan can lead to hyperbole. Adjusted for inflation Lucas and
Spielberg have each surpassed Cameron in box office success; with one
move each. Star Wars $1.529 billion, E.T. $1.217 billion, Titanic $1.162
billion. When you add Jaws, Jurassic Park, Empire and Jedi along with
Avatar and Terminator they do come close; they surpass Cameron in
financial success. At $927 million Force Awakens did better than Avatar
at $834 million – adjusted for inflation. Cameron is an amazingly
successful filmmaker and your point is important – no need to slip into
hyperbole to make your point.

To your point CF;

We are in agreement. Too many beginners focus on equipment and hold
off making movies until they get “the best” fill-in-the-blank. When they
have a camera phone and free editing software in their hands right now.
If these beginners need a successful filmmaker to inspire them to Just
Start Filming then Cameron saying so may help. Casavetes said it in the
'60's, Coppola, Lucas and Spielberg said it in the 70's, Zemeckis said it
in the '80's, Nolan said it in the '00's. Dov Simes and made a living saying
it in seminars. Every single unknown indie filmmaker who has made a
film has said it. Most of us say it right here when ever a beginner posts
an equipment question.

Just. Start. Filming. Is the ONLY way to learn to make films.
 
directorik said:
I will never dismiss anyones favorite filmmaker. And I understand that
being a fan can lead to hyperbole. Adjusted for inflation Lucas and
Spielberg have each surpassed Cameron in box office success; with one
move each. Star Wars $1.529 billion, E.T. $1.217 billion, Titanic $1.162
billion. When you add Jaws, Jurassic Park, Empire and Jedi along with
Avatar and Terminator they do come close; they surpass Cameron in
financial success. At $927 million Force Awakens did better than Avatar
at $834 million – adjusted for inflation. Cameron is an amazingly
successful filmmaker and your point is important – no need to slip into
hyperbole to make your point.

To your point CF;

We are in agreement. Too many beginners focus on equipment and hold
off making movies until they get “the best” fill-in-the-blank. When they
have a camera phone and free editing software in their hands right now.
If these beginners need a successful filmmaker to inspire them to Just
Start Filming then Cameron saying so may help. Casavetes said it in the
'60's, Coppola, Lucas and Spielberg said it in the 70's, Zemeckis said it
in the '80's, Nolan said it in the '00's. Dov Simes and made a living saying
it in seminars. Every single unknown indie filmmaker who has made a
film has said it. Most of us say it right here when ever a beginner posts
an equipment question.

Just. Start. Filming. Is the ONLY way to learn to make films.
Click to expand...

Ha! That was beautifully stated. Thanks for that. :)
 
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