If you prefer to watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw5G8hmogKE&t=35s


There's a period of time between when you decide you want to be a filmmaker and when you're able to start that journey. I call this period The Wait. What are you supposed to be doing with yourself when others are going ahead to buy gear, make short films and direct commercials? You probably can't jump right in because of money issues or a full time job. However, all hope is not lost. I was once in that place, and here are three things I did, that you can implement now to make the best of this phase of your film career.

1. Binge watch YouTube

I decided I wanted to be a filmmaker in January 2021, but I didn't get a camera until October. I spent my days and nights learning as much theory as I could on YouTube, so much that I'm even better at planning theoretically than I am at executing. I learnt about lighting, screenwriting, western film, etc. I even learnt every possible camera setting on DSLRs and mirrorless long before I held my own camera. This pushed me ahead of the pack and my first film was so good it didn't look like the work of a first time director. We often make the mistake of thinking film is just picking up a camera and shooting, but there is a great difference between people who do that and those that take the time to learn the theory.

2. Learn an auxiliary skill.

If you can't start film yet, learn something related to film. Its easy to forget there are lots of roles in the industry and you don't necessarily have to be a director or DOP. Learn lighting, sound design, animation. By the time you're making your personal projects without the budget to pay people, you'd be able to do most of it by yourself, or trade services with other filmmakers.

3. Understudy a filmmaker

While learning theory is great, there's still nothing like getting your hands dirty doing the job. Find a filmmaker who is decently established but still accessible and offer to be their assistant. You can offer them your skills in exchange for having access to their work and coming on their sets. This gives you valuable experience and allows you network.

Trust me, I've been there. I know what its like to se others living your dream but you're seeming stuck. I'm here to tell you you're not, and this phase is packed with very valuable lessons. Make the best of it because once those gigs start rolling in, you won't get this time back. Stay encouraged!