When starting out as a filmmaker, it's not uncommon to have doubts about how to break into the industry. Filmmaking may not have the stability and security of a "traditional" job, but for those of us with a passion for it, the risk of not acting is greater than the risk of taking the leap.
Perhaps nobody knows this more than Joyce Tsang. Joyce had an unconventional start when she decided to become a filmmaker. Before picking up a camera, Joyce worked as a research and development engineer. Now she's an Emmy award-winning filmmaker who's killing it making films for some big brands like Facebook and Nike, as well as docs, and narrative films.
Today Joyce and I break down what it's like to switch careers and make your start as a filmmaker. The decision to go this less than conventional route comes with its own set of challenges and payoffs which we discuss. We also talk about learning and growing your business through collaboration and building strong professional relationships.
Did you get into filmmaking after working in a completely different field? Tell me how it went in the comments on the episode page!
In this episode:
Quotes:
"It was less about the fear that this could fail and we could lose all our savings, but it was more the fear of having that regret later on [for not changing careers]. [10:50]
"In every shoot that I go on, I learn something. First of all, there's no shoot goes according to plan, so there's that. You always learn something from whatever goes wrong…. But there's always something that I take away from meeting and collaborating with new people, and I find that to be one of the most rewarding things about what we do." [22:10]
"If you wait until you're ready, you'll be on the sidelines for the rest of your life." [24:00]
"Hire people who are smarter than you... Hire somebody who can shoot better than you. Hire somebody who's really good at producing and pay them for what their experience brings. Maybe you don't make anything off that part of it, but the learning experience and the relationship that you can build from working with really qualified and well-connected people in the industry is massive." [30:05]
Links:
Follow Joyce on Instagram | Facebook
Episode 99: How To Make Sales Fit Your Personality w/ Jim Hoogewind
Additional Links:
Check out the full show notes page
Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas
Tune into our weekly Facebook Lives
Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!
Every week I pull the most useful stuff from the podcast and send it your way — plus the homework to actually put it to work. Like a business coach in your inbox, except free.
Check your inbox for a confirmation email from ryan@studiosherpas.com — click it and you're set. (Peek in spam if it's hiding.)
