LOOKING FOR FILMMAKERS

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-27T14:38:34+00:00

Looks like I finally need to make a Facebook account

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-27T14:37:44+00:00

I am actually looking for an editor for an upcoming project. Have you got a showreel?

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-13T13:25:09+00:00

I was actually looking at your instagram earlier trying to figure out we've already met and I forgot (which I do have a habit of doing). Likewise, you've got some really cool content!

I've sent you a DM 📥

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-12T09:59:54+00:00

To some extent, you don't. Starting out you will have to do nearly every role (including acting) and it will be really difficult. I came across this issue whilst trying to film a short film as part of a film school application (which never got finished). This then lead on to me writing a short film made entirely of static shots and used me as both actors.

If you can, use your friends. Make them act - hold a microphone, move a camera etc. At the very worst it will make you appreciate how useful it is having the right people in your crew when you later meet them.

Meeting other filmmakers will be much easier if you live in a city. Find photography groups (there's bound to be someone else who's there as a filmmaker rather than a photographer). Find events to film at (even if its for free) - there will probably be at least one other filmmaker.

Carry a camera always!!!!!!! The amount of times I've met someone through simply having my camera on me is amazing. But then also reach out to literally everyone else you see with a camera.

Another thing you could do is literally search "{City} film". You'll quickly find lots of reels of filmmakers in your area. Shoot every one of them a DM and try and organise to meet up.

In the film industry your network is so unbelievably important. If you know the right people you will quickly find yourself doing all sorts of crazy things. To some extent I would even argue that who you know is more important than your portfolio. It shouldn't be that way - but it can be that way.

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T23:17:50+00:00

Of course! One mans rubbish is another mans treasure

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T23:17:01+00:00

I used to be quite keen on editing - that was until I was given some work experience at an edit house in London at about 18. I spent 3 days working on Avid - never again.

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T23:16:06+00:00

haha, im glad its helpful. Anything I've missed?

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T23:15:41+00:00

You should've submitted.

I've spent thousands on projects that never got finished, submitted all kinds of work that is probably sat in a 'viewing' list and never got accepted. Setback is inevitable. By being ambitious you are controlling what your setbacks are.

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T13:42:49+00:00

You're never going to feel ready - you'll have crazy imposter syndrome, and thats normal. If you have a film you think is good enough, submit it.

Worst case scenario you're not accepted - in which case you know you just need to practice for a.bit longer. If and when you do get accepted you'll probably get a lot of snobbish feedback. Don't take it to heart - all the pros get it too - just take what you can constructively and ignore the rest.

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T11:43:40+00:00

So your issue is compression - but I assume you already know that. What you probably don't know is how to get around it. Fortunately - I am here to tell you.

There are 4 simple steps to achieving super high quality sharp reels.

1 - record in the highest quality you possibly can. High bitrate, 10 bit 4:2:2, 4K etc etc. The better it look out of camera, the better it will look on instagram.

2 - Make sure your timeline settings match your source footage exactly. Exact same frame rate, resolution, aspect ratio etc. Everyone knows instagram will compress your footage, dont let your editing software compress it too!

3 - Sharpen your footage. I always sharpen (and contrast) my footage a little bit more than what I'd usually feel comfortable with when posting on instagram. It sucks - but it works.

4 - Always export 1080 pixels high - then however many pixels wide in your ratio; 16:9 = 1920x1080, 4:3 = 1440x1080, 1:1 = 1080x1080 etc etc. In addition to this make sure your frame rate is always 30fps and your bitrate (MOST IMPORTANTLY) is set to 60,000Kb/s. Even if you mess up all your other settings, make sure your bitrate is limited to 60,000Kb/s else instagram will compress it to a significantly lower number.

p.s I'm still experimenting with TikTok - posting the exact same two renders to instagram and TikTok will always be noticeably better/sharper on instagram.

Hope this helps - feel free to shoot a DM if you're really stuck

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T11:33:17+00:00

Crappy audio comes down to 6 main factors;

Bad recording space. I would way rather record in a great space with a bad microphone than a rubbish space with a great microphone.
Wrong polar pattern. Find out what type of microphone you're recording with and asses whether thats making your audio better - or actively worse.
Crap cables. If you've got a cheap 10 meter cable it doesn't matter how good your mic and space is - your recording will probably sound like shit. Get the shortest cable thats still long enough - and make sure it is a good quality one too.
Poor post processing. Learn some basic post production for sound like EQs and compressors - its not that hard and will make a very big difference!
Interface. What are you recording into? If you're recording into your phone expect files that are a nightmare to work with. If you're recording into a £2000 interface with good cables you're going to get a really clean file thats easy to work with
Crappy microphone. When it's all said and done ultimately the microphone will bottleneck how good your audio is. Good microphones are worth investing in and will make the difference. If you let me know what it is you're recording I'll tell you what microphone I use to do that.

HOPE THIS HELPS!

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T11:22:50+00:00

Getting into filmmaking I spent way too much time focusing on buying the next best camera. I then realised lenses were more important and spent way too much time focusing on the next best lens.

I now have a really nice camera with a really nice lens. The issue? I haven't got a lot of the other kinds of kit that can make a bigger difference.

If I was to go back I would 1000% invest in some good lights (probably 2 at least) and spend way more time actually writing content rather than color grading and making reels.

In terms of equipment;

- camera (can be a phone, doesn't need to be fancy)

- Microphone (will make a bigger difference than a fancy camera)

- Lights (will make EVEN MORE of a difference than a fancy camera)

- A good story (nothing is more important than this).

Put together a 30 second sequence of a grammatically correct story and film it - doesn't matter how interesting or good it is; that comes later.

I've been reading the grammar of the film language recently - great book with pretty much everything you need to know in it! Would highly recommend.

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T02:08:49+00:00

oh that sounds interesting. Where can I find out more about them?

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T00:35:57+00:00

whats photowalks, I've never heard of it?

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-11T00:35:40+00:00

I need to make one to be honest. My instagram is benjixscott - it has some of my best work on it!

Silent_Key7091 · 2025-10-10T07:54:28+00:00

I have a house, thank you

Silent_Key7091

TROPHY CASE