As I started writing the third step in my series of 7 steps to make your first feature film, I realised that in my journey there was a small step in between; taking the first step. For most people starting out, this is usually where they get stuck. So here is Scene 2A – The One Thing.
People do not take that first step for various reasons. For some it is the fear of failure, and for some of success. The one thing that you need to do to make your first feature film is to take that first step. But what is that first step?
Where Are you?
After leaving my job, after my 6 month hiatus, when I returned home on the eve of the new year of 2016, I had nothing, but an idea to become a writer. It could have either ended up being an artsy-fartsy thing or something I’d have been proud of my whole life.
Whatever it may be that I want to do, it starts first and foremost, with me; wherever I am, with whatever I have, in that moment. That is the only place where anyone can start.
I could complain that I knew no one, that my parents didn’t have the right connections or were rich. I could complain that the timing wasn’t right, or that the filmmaking scene in my state wasn’t good. I could complain about everything that is not right around me, or I could shut up, find that one thing I could do right now that’d get me where I want to be, and do that.
The One Thing
Once I had decided to become a filmmaker, learnt filmmaking, made shorts, I sat down to do the one thing that I knew I had to do next; write stories. After that I did the next one thing I knew I had to do; turn one of those stories into a screenplay.
When you are clear on what you want, when you accept where you are and commit to the journey to your goals, all you need to know is the one thing that you need to do right now. For as soon as you do that, you will know what next. If you still do not believe me, read the book The One Thing by Gary Keller or watch this small video.
Once I had the script, I knew exactly what I needed next; money for food, an actor, a cameraman, a sound guy etc. Basically connections.
What is the one thing you need to do right now to get to your goals? Let us know in the comments below.
