It’s Actually Easy to Get Ahead of 99% of Filmmakers

I've found your advice spot-on as a nonfiction writer and editor for 52 years. For beginners: be mature. That is, learn to relate to realities outside your own. You won't succeed if you aren't restraining the impulse to wiggle your fanny, talk loud, wear your ball cap backward, put on an air of experience and superiority, and generally behave like what the Germans call a Geck. Learn to enjoy giving.

Thanks for all the content. I really enjoy and try to watch all your videos.
To your question of what type of long-form videos we’d like to see, I personally enjoy BTS videos that break down how various shots are put together. So often, when watching my favorite shows on streaming platforms such as Prime, Paramount +, AppleTV and especially great NatGeo docs such as those great outdoor adventure features from from the likes Jimmy Chin (think “Free Solo”), I wonder, What did it take to get that shot sequence?”. Like, how did they get those multiple camera angles without the second camera being in the shot? Did the talent have to reset and do another/multiple take(s). How the heck did Jimmy get up to Alex Honold’s and Tommy Caldwell’s point on the wall without being in the shot? (I know there’s a “making of” video about “Free Solo”, but I’d love to see more.) I’d love to see more about how the behind-the-camera magic is planned out and assembled. In the case of your style of doc shooting, I’d love to see how you plan and execute those shots or sequences, what are the things you keep in mind when on set or engaged in verité shooting.
Anyway , thanks for all the inspiration you consistently provide, Luc!

Congrats on 100k subs Luc! I loved the lighting tests you documented a few weeks back so happy to get fewer videos if it means more in-depth long form stuff like that. Cheers

I love the idea of just taking an hour a day to learn something new. I also have this approach to learning, and its what I did to really focus myself when I was learning Japanese back in the day. Works great for all things! Funny though how people don't want to hear this simple yet effective advice. "You mean I actually need to do something to get better???"

I think you made this video for me. I have to subscribe now for sure.

Great advice here. Congratulations Luc. You're the bomb!

Looking forward to the BTS vids

Just found out about you today.. weird and so awesome! Take your time, you've earned it!!

That shot where youre drinking coffee with the Sony on your shoulder could have been even more ridiculous with the arri, especially with how uncomfortable you found it.

Dude I’m loving the message here. I made a video a week last year and managed to not miss one however I didn’t do a great job working through writing my ideas out and it made the process a lot more difficult.

I’ve fallen out of the habit of making these weekly videos but my aim is to get back to a more consistent uploading schedule.

Great video 🤘

Congratulations on 100k! Many of those channels regularly watched have slowed down their posting. Your consistency was something to looked forward to. I completely understand getting busy and your product is always worth watching so do what you need to and we’ll be here to watch. Thanks for being one of my favourite channels.

I sacrifice sleep 😂😂 a lot. Being a dad and working full time there is no other way. I try to get a video out a month. That is tough for me because I do build videos and they usually take a month at least 😬 but as you said I almost work everyday on it. Every day something at least ☺️

Overcoming resistance is how you'll get ahead of 99% of filmmakers. Most creatives give themselves excuses and talk themselves out of it before they've even tried. If you want to win in this game, the secret is showing up consistently. Consistency will give you momentum, sustained momentum gives you breakthroughs, improvements, reputation, paid work. Natural talent means nothing if your inner demons won't let you get past your perfectionism, fear of failure and humiliation and not being fully committed.

Great to hear real-world practical advice! I'm especially keen to see the equipment tests and BTS prep stuff you do, and if it's not too much work, it would be great to hear WHY you are doing such tests and what benefits they give. I have done lots of my own tests and always found them beneficial, but keen to learn more.

The part about making the time is inescapably true. Singles and doubles score runs. People just fixate on trying to swing for the fences and then are paralyzed to start. Keep up the great work.

Sounds strange but this is exactly the conent I was hoping to find on YT about fillmmaking.
I love it so much to learn about your thought process of how to DO stuff in a professional way.
Your conent is helping me so much in developing my way to a much more knowledgeable Camera Operator/DP
I‘m excited what is about to come on your Channel Luc

Congrats on 100k but your content is becoming more of the same thing, same advices with different text, same equipment videos...

Hey Luc, big congrats on reaching 100,000 subscribers! Would love to enter this competition for a one on one consultation and I’ll try to keep it short.

After shooting videos on my phone for a little over a year, I began getting real work in the videography field saved up enough money to buy my own camera. I’ve been getting small jobs here and there but I’m really trying to get into the documentary field. I shot one short form project this year and have another one scheduled at the end of the month.

I would love to talk to you more about a good strategy for getting more documentary experience, and work.

I’ve been following your videos every week this year so I’ve heard you talk on end about this topic but would love to get some personalized feedback!

Learn how to expose well. Keep images sharp and White Balance on point. Record decent sound. Deliver on time. Do this 100% of the time. You are now ahead of at least 80% of "filmmakers".

Very Inspiring. Thank you.

the road to 1 million has started!

Great, now EVERYONE will get ahead of 99%. Poor 1% ......

Thank you for giving us such quality content. You are a gem.

Saying this with love, I would've noticed the videos not being here. I am always looking forward to your uploads and insight. Thank you for continuing to be a great online mentor to thousands. If you ever need an assistant let me know ;D

Thanks you for another encouraging to the point video. I'm grinding away as often as I can, setting aside time and trying to balance it all like everyone else. Videos like this keep the motivation cup full. Congrats on the 100K, well deserved!

Weirdly when I posted weekly it did more damage to my channel than my previous monthly posting schedule. So I've gone back to that now lol.

informative video thanks Luc.

congratulation on this milestone, good job, keep it up luc, your consistency is really inspiring.

In short, laziness and procrastination are ruining my professional life!

I love it when channels like yours give these “how I did it” episodes, thank you.

Great thoughts were shared in this video. Thank you Luc

this is GOLD advice

Congratulations on your reaching 100k Luc! Here's to 100 more!

life is about showing up, every day

I have to say, finding your channel was a really fortunate moment for me—and just in time. After retiring from the US Army a few years ago, I’ve spent the last 2 1/2 years in film school, and now I’m starting my Capstone project. I’ve chosen to make a documentary, and watching your work has made me realize I have a lot to catch up on in the next 5 1/2 months before graduation. Thank you for sharing your insights; they've been invaluable. Maybe I’ll see you on the road someday.

I'm going to tell you this, you do NOT want overnight success. You'll get it and trust me, you'll lose it within a year or so. Why? Because you got something without having the skills to keep it and deep down you'll know it too. It's called the imposter syndrome which you'll most likely mask with a huge, fragile ego to protect yourself. That'll lead straight to trouble. I know because this happened to me.

Evolve your skills slowly overtime and expect that it will take around 10-15 years, sometimes even more to get your skills to a level where you're the best man for the job

I'm trying to imagine having a level of work that would justify spending $6000 on a tripod. How much work should I expect to get per year to make upgrading my Manfrotto 502 to a Sachtler worth the expenditure?

Congrats!

I'm not even a film maker. But I do run a media company. And your videos have been massively educational in many ways, plus highly motivational to boot.

Your explanations are simple to understand without being dumbed down. You're concise, but not to the point of removing important context and detail. You're humourous, but aren't trying too hard to be constantly funny. And most importantly, your advice is always the hard truth and extremely practical, while still being compassionate and encouraging.

Please keep up the honest, down to earth work on the channel. And keep shooting amazing documentaries. I'll definitely be looking up one of the films you've worked on some day.

I do videos just for fun, but I really like your channel. Thanks for sharing!

What do you do to make sure your camera sensor is always clean on set? And if not, how do you clean it?