How to Transition from Wedding Filmmaking to Commercial Filmmaking // Seven Basic Steps
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- Many filmmakers cut their teeth on one type of filmmaking: wedding filmmaking. But many struggle on how to transition from wedding filmmaking to commercial filmmaking. I started my wedding filmmaking journey back in 2012, shooting my first wedding in Springfield, Missouri, but always knew that it was going to be a season.
However, that’s not to say that it wasn’t highly lucrative during the time that I was actively building it. The wedding industry is a wild beast, but can train you to become a better filmmaker, while also getting paid along the way! I began winding down the wedding wheels in 2017 and focused very hard on the commercial and documentary side of filmmaking. I did this BEFORE I got burned out filming weddings.
If I had stayed in the wedding industry and given 100% of my attention to it, I knew that I’d be able to build a very lucrative wedding film machine. However, I knew if I stayed much longer in the wedding industry, I’d start to grow bitter, mainly because I wanted to pursue bigger ventures in the commercial world. So, I made the transition from wedding filmmaking to commercial filmmaking and haven’t looked back since.
The steps I’ve listed above in how to transition from a wedding filmmaker to a commercial filmmaker are all basic, but powerful enough to get you moving in the right direction. It’ll take time, so be patient and persistent. If you have any helpful tips for other filmmakers looking to make that jump as well, leave your tip in the comments below.
CHAPTERS
0:00 - How I got my start
2:22 - 1. Reduce Your Wedding Work
2:54 - 2. Split Your Brand
3:30 - 3. Do Lots of Spec Work
7:06 - 4. Understand the Langauge
8:33 - 5. Understand the Needs
9:36 - 6. Network
10:09 - 7. Reach Out
11:41 - So that's it!
MUSIC
All music from this episode was found through
www.epidemicsound.com
www.musicbed.com
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The exact video I needed to see/hear at this point in my life. The timing is uncanny. Thanks for making this video, Evan
THIS. This is exactly what I do what I do. That means the world to hear that this spoke to you on a personal level. If my videos can do anything, I just want them to HELP people, inspire people, and motivate people. So glad to see you getting good insight from this:):). Cheers!
Wow!! You're not telling me you want to leave the wedding biz!?! You're a legend with wedding films
Dude, this video was amazing to watch! And loved the coffee break "sponsor" segment. Loved hearing your take on the transition from wedding to commercial. I never took the plunge from wedding to commercial. Shooting 200+ weddings I got burnt out with video stuff. Now working as a graphic designer. But, deff miss shooting video! May get back into it.
Again, awesome video!
Hey man! Haha thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, it can definitely kill you if you're burning the candle at both ends! The biggest wedding year I had, I shot 20 weddings and then I tapped out. I knew that wasn't a long term option, especially the way I was doing it. AND I wanted to explore a more create genre. So happy I made the jump. Sorry to hear you burned out, man! That's rough. Find your love with it again. It'll come back. Just takes some nurturing. Cheers!
Great stuff Evan! Awesome as always.
Ahh thank you so much! I'm just hoping that I can help people with their transition period. It can be rocky sometimes.
I wish I saw this like 5 years ago haha This is excellent and all spot on!
Haha right?? TONS of trial and error getting to this point.
Wow man I love these tips! I saw a reel of yours on Instagram and I'm in the step of making spec work but it's crazy how much momentum that can give you
Ahh thanks man! That means a lot! I'm glad that this resonated with you! Yeah, spec work is HUGE in this industry, no matter how far in the industry you get. Spec work STAYS a part of journey. haha Good luck, man!
Great work man! I loved hearing your story. The editing is phenomenal, as always. Look forward to seeing more!
Thanks a lot, tyler! Slowly but surely, giving out details of my 30 years leading me to this point. haha. I had a WHOLE other life before filmmaking. For another video;) haha. Cheers man!
These are so golden tips to start as a filmmaker or change the nieshe. Thanks for that! You are definetly my new favorite youtuber 🙌
Ahh thank you so much! This makes my day! So glad to hear that you enjoyed it! I hope this is able to help several individuals out there looking to make that transition. Just want to be helpful! Cheers!
These tips are 🔥The video is also 🔥as always my man! I'm motivated to get out and shoot now!
Ahh thank you so much, man. Means a lot to hear that. I hear you're in Bellingham, btw! We need to grab a drink sometime soon!
@@EvanPollock Yes! ha, life has been wild with a new baby and getting settled up here but definitely love it so far! And man I'd love that for sure!
@@WillieShawFilms Solid. Let's connect sometime soon!
Great video mate!! About 1/3 of my business is weddings and 50% is corporate. I enjoy a little bit of both but certainly see myself doing less weddings as time goes one!
Awesome! Diversifying is the best. Yeah, weddings were my main source of income, but I realized if I wanted to get into the commercial realm in a big way, I'd need to invest in way different gear setups. So, I axed the wedding side:P.
Very timely video, awesome style and clearly putting lots of effort here. Love it. I do have some questions regarding reaching out to local businesses:
1) Do you recommend creating a Spec Deck or pitch to these business when you reach out
2) Do you ask for a budget when reaching out or is this something you'd discuss later on
Thanks again!
Yo dude! Sorry for the lack of response! Totally didn't see this comment.
1. It's always good to have an initial idea when approaching a client so that they can visualize what it is you are pitching. Otherwise, it can be hard to sell what it is you're going to offer them.
2. I try my best to get a budget so that way I can figure out the scope of the project. I've worked with projects that are $5k-$150k, so it all really depends on what they are looking to accomplish. So getting a budget sooner than later gives you a frame of reference, how big the "sandbox" you are able to play within. But no one wants to say a number first. They are looking to save money, and you are trying to gauge where they are at on the spectrum of marketing needs. It's a weird dance, but one I have to play EVERY SINGLE TIME.
sir! please make a video on how to know if a shot is actually good or not? because sometimes people believe themselves that it takes them in wrong direction.
Hey man! I'd check out StudioBinder's videos on composition, lighting, writing, color grading, all that jazz. They've got some really great tips to help you craft a great shot:). Stick around, I might just have to cover some composition stuff though:)
@@EvanPollock Thank you for your time sir!. I'll wait for your video and also watch studiobinder's videos.
Good stuff. Hey, just out of curiousity, what camera/lens are you filming yourself with? Filmed LOG with grading later? I like the look. Amazing work on your site too!
Thanks a lot! Yeah, I shot this on my Sony a7siii and shot in Log, colored later:). You got it right!