How can Film Production professionals gain new skills?

I have recently started improv and find that the humour, staying present and listening skills are essential to my work developing shows. Not to mention how funny I am becoming

Film production professionals can gain new skills by: 1. Taking online courses and tutorials. 2. Attending workshops, seminars, and film festivals. 3. Networking and collaborating with other professionals. 4. Participating in industry conferences. 5. Experimenting with personal projects. 6. Staying informed about industry trends. 7. Seeking mentorship. 8. Seeking feedback and critique. 9. Practicing consistently. Embrace lifelong learning and stay adaptable in the dynamic field of film production.

There are lots of ways to learn new skills in this business. Taking classes online or in person, watching YouTube, reaching out to professionals, taking an apprenticeship are solid steps in learning a new skill. I'm a hands on type of person so I learn best by making mistakes, cryptically observing and trying again. My advice is to pick a project you're passionate about and get to work. Don't wait for permission to grab the bull by the horns. Just dive in. There are NO RULES in this business. Rules are obstacles that slow the process down. Remove them and things get easier. If you really care about the creative your invested in then growth will be fast and meaningful.

If you created a graph of your project, the most time and money should be spent in the pre-production process, to flesh out the best ideas, solutions and plan of action with a handful of talented experts. This is the most cost effective way to ensure that the project is streamlined when it hits production. The graph show a decrease over the length of the project in terms of time and money spent, from the pre-prodcution until the final product.

1. Online Courses and Tutorials: Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer online courses and tutorials on film production topics. These resources allow professionals to learn independently and focus on specific areas of interest. 2. On-the-Job Training: Working on film sets and collaborating with experienced professionals is an invaluable way to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills. 3. Networking and Mentorship: Building relationships with industry peers and seeking mentorship from seasoned professionals can offer valuable insights and guidance. 4. Staying informed through industry publications, blogs, podcasts, and attending industry events ensures that professionals remain current and adaptable in their skill sets.

As a director I’ve always felt the role extends far beyond technical proficiency; it requires a profound understanding of human expression and storytelling across various mediums. By immersing themselves in acting, improvisation, movement, and music, directors can enrich their vision, leading to more compelling and resonant films. ✨

Kinesthetic learning is super effective if you can get involved with live productions, even if it means taking a smaller role than preferable. For audio learners, there are plenty of good podcasts on film production. YouTube offers unlimited good content for those that prefer visual learning. StudioBinder has really good content overall.

Attend seminars, conferences, and industry events related to production of movies, TV shows and content in general. These events often feature expert speakers and provide networking opportunities with professionals in the field. Further more, building a network of contacts within the film industry, especially those working in production roles can lead to collaborative opportunities and the chance to learn from experienced professionals.

Just work on productions with passion, discipline and great work ethics and that is all you need. Keep your eyes open to what people do on each department so that you can understand which department works best for you.

From my point of view, there are not a thousand ways to progress, you have to produce films, dozens of films, hundreds of films,... Yes podcasts, tutorials, etc... but nothing worth the experience that you will acquire in the field, nothing beats being confronted daily with problems for which you must find solutions (some of which are sometimes instantaneous).

In refining your post-production skills, consider delving into the realm of artificial intelligence-powered editing tools. AI-enhanced software, like Adobe Sensei, can streamline repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on more creative aspects of editing. Embracing machine learning algorithms for automated color grading and sound enhancement can elevate the overall quality of your projects. Staying abreast of these technological advancements positions you to not only improve efficiency in post-production but also to deliver a more polished and professional end product.

There are two keys to success in post-production: the first is understanding the workflow, and above all a workflow adapted to your film project. The second is the choice of your post-production team, in each sector you must collaborate with professionals but above all with Women and Men who understand the film, understand your artistic approach and have a sensitivity which will take the film to the next level.

Again, go and make your own zero budget video to learn fast and for free. There are some good “how to” videos on YouTube and Vimeo for all phases of production including post. Post-production is the point where you have gathered all of your ingredients and are ready to assemble them into their final form. Make something great then post it, put it in festivals and add it to your job reel.

Collaborate with professionals specializing in post-production tasks, such as sound designers or visual effects artists. This collaboration can offer a deeper understanding of how various elements come together, expanding your skill set and fostering a more holistic approach to post-production.

The best way to learn is to shadow a post-producer throughout a few projects. Be mindful that there’s no right or wrong in post workflows, so the expert is the one who can find the most suitable one for the project. It’s also important to keep yourself informed about commonly used softwares.

I personally believe that if you are in the game long enough, and you have the right amount of dedication and professionalism you will be given the opportunity to learn and grow. One thing that worked for me was to create personal relationships with the people around me. If I was nice to them, and helpful, they'd show me the ropes a bit. This snowballs quickly and before you know it you're working in a brand new department with a whole new set of peers. Most importantly with a whole new set of skills.

My answer is for all three of these! I personally came to Los Angeles, and got into the business without formal training and knowing nobody. My school was nofilmschool.com, watching every filmmaker and writer I could on the MasterClass app, and searching my favorite Directors, Producers and Writers being interviewed on YouTube. But the real training came from being on set, writing my own scripts, taking risks and doing things for myself, and making my own film! I learned that no one knows the right way to do anything and following your own instinct is very important because that could bring something new and fresh to this town. People are uncomfortable with new ideas but if you push through maybe a miracle can happen.

Be open to new perspectives and watch / read a lot of movies. Film school can give you the basic foundations and the contacts but the inspiration is only yours to find.

Film production professionals can expand their skill set by embracing diverse perspectives. Collaborating with professionals from different roles within the industry, such as cinematographers, editors, or sound designers, can offer valuable insights and enhance overall competency. Additionally, staying updated on emerging technologies and industry trends broadens their skill horizon, ensuring they remain adaptable in the ever-evolving landscape of film production. Seeking mentorship and participating in workshops provide practical learning experiences, fostering continuous growth in their craft.

With over 40 years experience, I’ve learnt one or two new skills! I started when VHS had just been invented and all was non-linear and so, so analog. Some key lessons I have learnt: 1. Always be open to new ideas and technologies - not always a first adopter but always in the first wave. 2. Surround yourself with brilliance and learn new skills from them. 3. Absorb, learn and implement from what you watch on TV, movies and social media. 4. Read, study and absorb - on your own or as part of structured learning. 5. Attend industry events and network, enter industry awards, volunteer to judge awards - such a fertile ground for learning new skills. Finally, have fun, don’t take it all too seriously, always engage - and you will blossom!