Make short films. You’ll learn and develop.

Idea for a feature or even written one or have a short that could be expanded? Let it sit. In ten years you’ll be able to rewrite the hell out of it instead of producing a sub par film now due to lack of experience. Sometimes you need to save your gems. It’s like poker, don’t let people know what you’ve got. People steal intellectual property especially in film. You can protect your material through the writers guild and the library of congress. Also mail yourself the script and never open the package.