Is a filmmaker someone who directs feature films? A producer who brings a project to life? A cinematographer who shapes its visual language? Or a creator who writes, shoots, and edits videos on their phone?
As traditional screen-industry roles evolve and technology makes creating video content more accessible, the answer isn’t always straightforward.
There is debate in the industry about what being a filmmaker actually means, particularly as people increasingly take on multiple roles and the boundaries between filmmaking and online content creation blur.
UK-based documentary filmmaker Theo Gee speaks well about the topic, highlighting where the frustration comes from, but also the attitude shifts that could help.
Broadly speaking, a filmmaker is someone who creates films or contributes to bringing screen stories to life. That may mean making independent shorts, directing documentaries, producing features, or experimenting with video art.
You don’t necessarily need a film-school qualification, a festival award, or a feature-film credit to get started. But understanding the different roles involved can help you work out where you fit.
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Although the terms overlap, they describe different things.
Filmmaker: This is an umbrella term for someone involved in creating films. Some filmmakers write, direct, shoot, and edit their own projects; others specialise in one area and collaborate with a larger team.
Director: Someone who is generally responsible for shaping a film’s creative vision, guiding performances and working with the crew to translate a script or concept onto the screen. A director who makes films is generally considered a filmmaker, but not every filmmaker is a director.
Producer: Someone who helps turn a project from an idea into a completed production. It can involve developing concepts, securing financing, managing budgets, hiring crew, and overseeing production. Producers may identify as filmmakers, too, particularly when they’re actively involved in developing and shaping screen projects.
Other important filmmaking roles include screenwriters, cinematographers (also known as directors of photography or DOPs), editors, sound designers, and production designers. Each contributes to the finished film in a different way.
Who gets to call themselves a filmmaker? In short, there’s no single answer everyone will agree on. You can be a filmmaker without earning a living from it, and you can work professionally on film productions without making your own films.
If you're starting out, think of “filmmaker” as a description of the creative work you’re pursuing, not a qualification someone else must award you. You can also be more specific, describing yourself as an emerging filmmaker, documentary filmmaker, or writer-director as your skills develop.
There’s no single route into filmmaking. Some people study, others learn on the job, and many combine formal training with independent projects. Here are six tips for getting started.
1. Learn the fundamentals.
Before you invest in expensive equipment, familiarise yourself with the basics of screen storytelling. Learn about story structure, character development, shot composition, lighting, sound recording, editing, and production planning. Understanding how these elements work together will help you make more informed creative decisions.
Watch films actively too. Take notice of things like how directors construct scenes, how cinematography shapes a story, and how sound and lighting influences the mood.
For Australian beginners, the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) can be a good starting point. It offers screen-industry education and training, including filmmaking courses.
2. Decide whether film school is right for you.
Film school can offer structured training, access to equipment, opportunities to collaborate, and connections with emerging screen professionals. A qualification isn’t essential for becoming a filmmaker, however, and training formally is expensive.
Online tutorials, community workshops, mentorships, and independent projects can also help you develop your skills. Consider your budget, location, learning style, and career goals before you decide which pathway suits you.
If you want to work on professional productions, formal training and industry connections may be useful. If your immediate goal is to make short films independently, practical experimentation could be a more accessible starting point.
You can always combine both approaches.
3. Make your first film.
The best way to learn filmmaking is to make something.
Your first project doesn’t need a professional camera, a large budget, or an elaborate script. A smartphone, basic editing software, and a clear idea can be enough. (Did you know that Australia hosts an international SmartFone FlickFest?)
Try making a one-minute film, shooting a short documentary about someone in your community, or telling a story without dialogue. Keep the project manageable, with a small cast and limited locations.
You’ll learn lessons that tutorials alone can’t teach you, from recording clear audio to managing a shoot and discovering how editing transforms your footage.
Most importantly, you’ll have a finished project to review, share, and learn from.
4. Explore different roles, then find your strengths.
Should you learn everything or specialise? Ideally, both.
Understanding the broader production process helps you collaborate effectively. A director who understands cinematography can communicate more clearly with a DOP, while a filmmaker who appreciates sound recording is less likely to overlook it during a shoot.
Experiment with different tasks to discover what interests you most. You may love directing actors, composing images, editing footage, or managing production logistics.
You don’t need to master every discipline. Aim to understand the whole process while developing expertise in the areas that excite you most. This can help you identify potential career pathways, too, whether in camera departments, editing, production assistance, or directing.
5. Collaborate and build a portfolio.
Filmmaking is often a collaborative art. Seek opportunities to work with emerging actors, writers, cinematographers, editors, and producers. Student productions, community filmmaking groups, and independent short films can provide valuable experience.
Discuss expectations, responsibilities, expenses, and credits up front, particularly when working on unpaid or low-budget projects.
As you complete projects, keep a record of your work. Depending on your specialisation, it may include short films, a showreel, scripts, editing samples, or cinematography examples. Be clear about your contribution to each project.
A portfolio of completed work can help you demonstrate your skills when you approach collaborators or apply for opportunities.
6. Explore Australian industry opportunities.
Once you’ve gained some experience, investigate training, funding, and professional development opportunities in your state or territory.
Useful starting points include Screen Australia, the national screen agency; Screen NSW; and VicScreen. Those organisations provide information about screen-industry support, programs, and opportunities.
Local film festivals, screen organisations, and filmmaking groups can also help you connect with peers and learn more about the industry.
You don't necessarily need funding to make your first film. Start with projects you can realistically complete, then investigate grants and other support as your ambitions grow.
What makes someone a filmmaker will continue to evolve alongside the industry. You don’t need to settle the debate before you get started.
Learn the fundamentals, experiment with the equipment you have, collaborate with others, and keep making work. You may discover your strengths lie in directing, producing, or another specialist role, or find that you enjoy wearing several creative hats.
There’s no single correct pathway. Start with a story you want to tell, and let the experience of bringing it to the screen help you discover what being a filmmaker means to you.
