The Biggest Mistakes First-Time Filmmakers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Every filmmaker remembers their first project. The excitement, the ambition, the sense that this one film will change everything. But too often, first-time filmmakers run into the same pitfalls. mistakes that can cost time, money, and even the story itself. You are not alone! I myself have made each of these mistakes I am going to walk you through. This doesn’t mean you won’t improve, as long as you learn the lesson and implement it, you will grow as a filmmaker.
Today, I bring that hard-earned experience into every commercial, branded documentary, and campaign we produce. Here are some of the most common mistakes new filmmakers make, and how you can avoid them.
Collaboration drives every frame of filmmaking.
Writing a “short” Script That’s Too Long
One of the most common traps: writing a 30- or 40-page “short film.” Festivals won’t program it. And as a first-time director, you’ll be overwhelmed.
My first short film that had a budget was 20 pages too long, and it become an absolute mess.
How to avoid it: Keep your short film under 15 minutes. Focus on one story, one or two locations, and a small cast. The shorter and tighter your script, the more you’ll learn about directing, and the higher your chances of actually finishing it.
Not Planning for the Format
Today, a lot of the content you will be producing isn’t just made for theaters, it’s made for phones. First-time filmmakers often shoot horizontally, then crop for vertical later. The result? Compromised framing, weak compositions, and a video that doesn’t perform.
It was a challenge for me when vertical format content started becoming more and more common. I LOVE 2:39.1 anamorphic format, it screams cinema. Early on my ego made me want to shoot in wide horizontal format exclusively, but I quickly learned that my clients had different needs.
How to avoid it: Plan your production for both horizontal and vertical from day one. At Parthenon Pictures, we design shots, blocking, and edits with multiple deliverables in mind, so nothing feels like an afterthought.
Surrounding Yourself With Yes-Men
When you’re young and paying people, few will challenge your decisions. That’s how you end up pushing forward with a flawed vision.
Learn how to challenge yourself, and create an atmosphere of collaboration.
How to avoid it: Find mentors and collaborators who will give you honest feedback. You don’t need a crew that just says “yes”, you need one that challenges you to be better.
Forgetting That Life Experience Shapes Story
Great filmmaking isn’t just about camera moves, it’s about authenticity. At 19 years old, most of us don’t have enough life experience to write the kind of layered, emotional stories we admire on screen, I know I didn’t!
I am not saying to not tackle hard stories when you are young, but make sure it comes from a place of authenticity, from real lived experience.
How to avoid it: Live first. Travel. Meet people. Fail. Fall in love. Lose. Grow. The more you experience life, the more truthfully you can write and direct characters that resonate with audiences.
Thinking You Know It All
Every first-time filmmaker feels like the next Quentin Tarantino. The reality? Filmmaking is humbling. And that’s a good thing.
How to avoid it: Stay a student. Treat every project as a learning experience. Even now, after producing award-winning commercials and campaigns, I approach each shoot as an opportunity to grow and refine our craft. I am a student of cinema, I always surround myself with art that inspires me.
Turn Mistakes Into Lessons
Mistakes are part of the process. They shape you as a filmmaker. The key is to recognize them early and keep pushing forward.
At Parthenon Pictures, we’ve built a production company that thrives on collaboration, strategy, and storytelling. From commercials to branded content, we help clients avoid costly missteps and create work that’s cinematic, effective, and unforgettable.
