Read books, travel, study other cultures, read more books, listen to different music, listen to people’s stories, learn new skills, read more books, go hiking, write stories, live and experience life. Only then will you make a film that is authentic, original and individual. Don’t rush into it but you 100% can make a film before you turn thirty. You’ll probably make a lot of mistakes but your next one will be better and your next and your next. Good luck out there everyone. Did I mention you should read books?

"If you want a great career, you have to be patient."

Ridley Scott was 40 when he did His first feature

As a film producer and a life coach, the first thing you have to do, is look at yourself in the mirror and say, who am I? Just do not limit yourself with one title. Director. You need to change your mindset and look at this like a business. Something filmschool or as a matter of fact no school will ever teach you. Think, of yourself as an entrepreneur, the person on top -, the producer and go from there... Look guys, it is not your fault but your parents, with no fault of their own and failed educational system that is designed to produce the next path of nine to fives. What you have to is start thinking of yourself differently, and stop looking at what other people are doing. What works for them, may not work for you, so be yourself, no better yet change the old you to the new you because the old you is not working. Say to yourself, where would I like to be in five years? And what do I need to change to get there and the rest will follow.

Really inspiring. As a 32 year old, who just bought a house and is about to make his first feature, this all makes sense and is reassuring. Great interview.

The best way I believe to get your name out there as a filmmaker is to start creating your own short films and entering them into film festivals every single year. Start working on a script, start planning, find friends or actors that you can work with, and just go out and shoot. Now more than ever is the greatest era for independent filmmakers to make a name for themselves. You can't rely on a manager or an agent to get these opportunities for you. If your work is good, people will recognize it. Once you establish your brand and your unique style, start either looking for scripts or start writing your own. This is sort of what Damian Chazelle did. He was writing for studios and such, but he released his first film, "Guy and Madeline on a park bench." When he didn't find any luck with getting La La Land off the ground, he went and wrote Whiplash out of anger and almost desperation. Eventually, he showed it to his agent and she thought it was incredible and wanted to help get it made. The catch was, Damian wanted to be the one to direct it. He got an opportunity to direct a short of one of the scenes as a test to see if it would be worth it for a studio to invest the money to get the feature made. They made the short, entered it into the Tribeca Film Festival, people loved it, and the rest was history. He was 27 when he made it. That opened up the opportunity for him to direct his dream project, La La Land.

A very direct question that addresses a lot of anxiety we have in our twenties! Thanks!

The main problem is putting a limit on yourself because of your age. You don't know when you are going to die. Keep dreaming big and take actions. One day everything will be over for everyone anyways!

wow these interviews are great, as a young director starting out i freak out about the idea of a family or anything in life that will distract me from my craft & this guy gives you a healthy dose of reality from his own experiences

Made my first feature film at 29 turned 30 on set. Best bday I ever had. Won awards now looking to self distribute. I don’t think there is ever a right time. You just have to do it.

This guy is really wise. I totally agree. I’m in my late 30s and I’m finally ready to really do this

This is exactly what I needed to hear

WOW!!! I am so grateful for this video. It has been nagging at me that I am 37 and havent made my first feature. However, it hasn't been for lack of trying. A combination of getting that comfortable day job (in editing) , the belief that I should have "made it" by now, and projects that have fallen through have stymied me in the past. However, now that I am getting my stuff together and making new work, this video has given me that extra boost. Thank you, Patrick Creadon and Film Courage!

I started out acting, then taking any job as I became addicted to being on set, Then at 53 I produced my first feature. I have now been involved in producing 3 features in 3 years and am working on my 4th, plus a potential web series. Keep hammering it, it can happen if you persist. I LOVE FILM.......

This was incredibly useful, and actually rather inspiring, not disencouraging, quite the opposite. Thank you!

Wow, Martin Scorsese, feeling washed up at 30.. what a crazy thought!Love you guys at Film Courage. And for all you fellow filmmakers who watched too, good luck! May all your hard work pay off and your dreams come true! I believe in you!

Thanks, as a 27 year old grip making short films on the side, this was very reassuring.

This is very honest and realistic advise .

Thank you so much for uploading this! This video was so helpful!

I've been waiting and learning about cinematography since 14 (2014) buy watching KZfaq videos because I can't afford to go to film school while doing my normal school stuff. I'm 18 now and I've sort of given up but after watching this I'm motivated af. Thank you Sir.

Amazing interview ! Top shelf

I made my first feature film at 37, now I have feature film number six coming out in March 23rd.

I really needed this!

Chris Nolan was 27 when he made his 1st feature following Damn the struggle is real with that budget and weekend schedule

Thank you for this.

Thank you!

Those last words gives a hope

thank god for this video I really needed it.

This is the absolute truth, I'm Hollywood there's either you've done or you didnt. It's super rare people can see potential,they can't when they've got money invested or that you ask of. Only doing a shit ton of actually doing the work I the craft we're gonna reach a level we really our satisfied With. It's super rare that you actually instantly can do that like a Spielberg or Tarantino,,it really is and that was probably feedback and other kids on the come up was to not even try,it's hard enough as it is so don't,but now I'm even more sad we've never even atleast tried.

When he said , " they don't want to hire a 25 years old Director or Screenwriter " maybe lack of experience and knowledge ; but still movie can be based on artistic vision or on some skills and talents for what passion is required not resume with a lot of experience. Well it's not discouragement by you, "Truth (reality) has it's own term."

He is talking reality. It's difficult especially if you don't have connections.

I'm age 30 now. It's been a real struggle to find work let alone be able to direct a feature. But I keep perusing.

Nice INTERVIEW !!, I have been a frelance storyboard guy from 10 years in Mumbai. And recently Finished my first draft of my short film based on my real life events in childhood time. Hope will Direct it soon.

Thank you Sir :)

What's the first step I should take in becoming a director/filmmaker? I have my own videography business that I started 3 years ago and wanted to know what I should do to get from where I'm at to filming a feature. Any advice?

Im 26 and I directed and produced my first feauture film with 5,000 dollars. ¿Isnt that the tuition cost of 1 month of AFI school?

How one runs one's farm, is totally personal. What the world pays attention to, are your produce.

What about producers? In a couple of months, I'll start working in two productions and that's what I've been into (production), it's just that I know I need more contacts but it doesn't seem enough. Like idk why but I feel that I haven't met anyone who's on the same page as me right now and yeah. I don't know where to start walking by myself Ps. I'm also considering making a degree or something, finding a job in some festival since I already have some experience on that BUT I'm literally feeling that I have zero experience getting money in a conventional way and it's driving me crazy. I don't want to let the time pass and the realize that I'm 30 years old or something and I haven't done anything (not that its impossible, but I think it's easier when you already worked your path a little)

These Rock!

Life is not a straight path, but its your path.

I'm 31, I have honed my skills as a director and screenwriter and storyboard artist. (I've made maybe 2, 3 30min short films when I was 25-27 - and won awards) Sadly, I live in a country that doesn't employ storyboard artists (our local filmmakers believe in "wing-it" on set and not do proper previsualisation-preparation. If you are not "female" or a "gay male" you won't get a screenwriting job and as for directing, our local producers hire actors for directors. Reasons being, only that they like hanging out with actors and solely believe in star-theory. If you're "drinking buddies" with a producer you get the directing job, regardless your skills whatsoever. Favouritism is the name of the game. I don't know if it's worse in America, but it surely the state in South Africa. No producer in my country wants risk, hiring young directors are equivalent to the fear of cancer - that is how immature our local industry is. At the moment, I do cam-operating, editing and digital illustrations where ever I can. I truly hope I start directing professionally before I reach 40.

32 years old watching this 🤘

What if i don't excel at Cinematography? I mean i know i can learn but shouldnt i master the things in which i excel on and passionate about?

So for all of us that have that passion project(s) but also want to live our lives in case making movies never pays the bills; WHAT SHOULD we do for a living in the mean time? Should it be involved in the industry still like freelance videography or being an editor or a gaffer electrician etc. Or is it ok to pursue a completely different career like for example construction or accountant? I ask because I have a 9-5 now unrelated to film making and to be honest I find myself too tired too do film making as much as I should.

im 22 ive made over 6 short films but im not in school or working in the film industry i feel at my rate i wont be abel to make a film before 40

My Family told me that I was worthless if I got into film. So I didn't. I finally got up the courage to do it but I was already in my late 30's! What about someone like me? How can I make a break through?

I can not find the other interviews with Patrick Creadon.

Great advice. This is why I've been pursuing editing, and thankfully am very fond of it and have a talent for it, despite the fact that like many others I also wanted to pursue directing and screenwriting. Everyone wants to be that writer/director, but at the end of the day I want to be the person who truly makes the film. =) I'm 30 and I've done a number of student films, a number of not-student films that probably still appear to be student films, and now working on what's shaping up to be a feature length documentary. From my experience the most important thing to making sure your work is actually good is to eliminate hubris as much as you can. Everyone around you, especially the 20 somethings, are generally overconfident and have a hard time being objective about their work. If you eliminate those two things you will naturally create works that are better than what others are doing, and that, ultimately, is what will determine your success.

And one more advice, think of something in your life or this world you would like to change and let that be an inspiration for your project. I am in the works of creating a project that will open many doors for you. That is my vision and my mission. If you like it please give a thumbs up or comment, love to hear from you.

Amazing advice

He reminds me of Nathan Faxon.

My dream job is to become a person that makes really good movies but im only 9 right now so im not sure how im going to do that i have a lot of ideas in my head but i think im going have to wait A LONG time to make it beacuse im too young :(

What I like about his answer is that it is very realistic. When you hear those speeches of people who made their first film in their 20s, and it was a hit and they are in the industry since who tells just: just do it!! "You just gotta want to tell your story!" It is inspiring but if you can t actually start, it becomes more frustrating. And the speech once inspired you could leave you even more discouraged. So here is a bit of hope for "the rest of us" too

It is empty twaddle the main thing is GREAT story and Intrigue !and throw bait deep to promise to solve riddle at the end and at the same time force participate audience be on scene ! And good dialog and Bueteful face (woman) !it is doesn't matter what kind of camera do you have and money

But what if you're 37?

Hard skills vs Soft skills

Missed it by 12 years. But, still trying.

How about 50? The way its going

Should I go to film school ?

How about by 60? I spent years convinced I wasn’t worthy. Fuck that.

A lot of these filmmakers were around in the independent boom of the 90s now it’s all superhero bullshit which writers don’t own so mo script will be sold and no director is gonna be attached to the project

Scorcese made his first film at 25 not 35

What? You can be 50 or 15, if you wanna write, then write. Find like minded film people and get to work

George Miller didn’t write Mad Max til he was 30 and didn’t direct it til he was 34.

Why don't they want to hire a 25yr old screenwriter??

make a movie by age 35.

நீங்கள் ஒரு பெரிய வேலையை விரும்பினால் நீங்கள் பொறுமையாக இருக்க வேண்டும்

what a shit way of thinking , u can be what every u want at what ever age if u have guts to sacrifice everything for ur dreams