The Joys and Pitfalls of Filmmaking: How to Avoid Failure Caused by Poor Planning and Overambition

Creating a film from your own original idea—writing the script, shooting each scene, and shaping it into a finished work—is one of the most satisfying hobbies you can pursue. Even if you never show the final product to anyone and simply watch it alone, the sense of accomplishment is profound. In a way, it feels like you’ve created a world from scratch.

And if you do share your film and receive praise, the joy is even greater.

Today, we have countless ways to share our creations. From photos to blog posts, everyday people are publishing their work online. The desire for recognition is stronger than many realize, and a self-made film can be one of the most fulfilling ways to satisfy that need.

But here’s the catch: filmmaking isn’t as simple as snapping a photo and applying a filter. The satisfaction is real—but so is the effort. That’s part of what makes it so rewarding.

Two Common Misconceptions About Filmmaking

After years of making films as a hobby, I’ve noticed that people who haven’t tried it tend to fall into two extremes of misunderstanding.

First, some think filmmaking is impossibly difficult.

They believe it requires:

• Huge budgets
• Advanced technical skills
• Expensive equipment

And yes, that’s true for professional commercial films. But for hobbyists, there’s a wide range of methods that can be adapted to fit your limitations. If your goal is to express a story through moving images, there’s no single “correct” way to do it.

With creativity and resourcefulness, you can make compelling films:

• Without spending a fortune
• Without mastering complex techniques
• Without elaborate gear

On the other hand, some people think filmmaking is too easy.

They assume:

• Modern cameras are so good, you can shoot without a script and still get decent results
• You can casually film with friends and finish a 30-minute short in a day
• Smartphone apps make editing effortless

Unfortunately, that’s a misconception.

Yes, smartphones are powerful tools for filming and editing. But that only solves the old problem of needing expensive gear. It doesn’t eliminate the need for planning, structure, and storytelling.

Unless you’re a genius, shooting without a script is like playing chess blindfolded—it’s possible, but extremely difficult.

Even on a full day of shooting, you might only capture 10 minutes of usable footage. A seasoned filmmaker might shoot six shots per hour, but each shot is only a few seconds long. That means you’ll get about one minute of usable footage per hour.

That’s why directors plan ahead and take charge on set—to maximize efficiency. Filming “democratically” with group input may sound fun, but it drastically slows things down. You simply can’t maintain a pace of one shot every 10 minutes that way.

Why doesn’t democratic decision-making work on set? Because not everyone shares the same level of perspective. Usually, only the director has a full vision of the film. Crew and cast members only see the current scene. So even if they offer creative ideas, the director often has to reject them to maintain consistency.

It’s not about ego—it’s about protecting the integrity of the film.

For example, someone might suggest a fun way to deliver a line, but few can assess whether that change would disrupt the tone or logic of the story.

Editing and the Illusion of Simplicity

Smartphone apps can absolutely handle basic editing. Most indie films only need simple cuts, and affordable software is more than enough.

But if you don’t have the right footage to begin with, no amount of flashy effects will make your film look good.

How to Avoid Creative Collapse

Despite the challenges, filmmaking is deeply enjoyable.

It typically involves three stages:

• Pre-production
• Shooting
• Editing

Each stage offers its own kind of satisfaction.

But here’s the trap: filmmaking is far more prone to failure than most people expect.

Every stage carries the risk of collapse.

Pre-production failures are relatively harmless—it’s just a scrapped idea. Few people are involved, and little energy is wasted.

The real danger is failure during shooting.

Filming requires other people’s time and effort. If the project collapses after shooting begins, all that work goes to waste. Many indie filmmakers have experienced this. I’ve certainly been there myself.

The two biggest causes?

• Lack of preparation
• Overambition

“Lack of preparation” usually means an underdeveloped script. People rush into filming because it’s fun, or because they’re limited by seasonal availability. But if the script isn’t solid, the shoot often falls apart.

What does “low quality” mean here?

It’s not about weak dialogue or lack of originality—those can be salvaged with on-set creativity or strong performances.

The real problem is structural inconsistency. If the story doesn’t make logical sense, you’ll eventually notice it mid-shoot. And if you’re conscientious, you won’t be able to ignore it. You’ll try to fix it, get stuck, and the project will collapse.

That’s why having a minimum viable script is absolutely essential.

“Overambition” happens when your vision exceeds your technical or decision-making ability.

Once you start filming, you’ll realize the footage doesn’t match your imagination. You’ll try adjusting camera angles, but the gap remains.

Then you’ll ask:

• Is this gap a real problem?
• Can I fix it?
• How much extra time will it take?

Without the ability to answer these questions, you’ll waste time experimenting. That leads to schedule overruns and unfinished films.

Yes, experimentation is fun. But if you’re inexperienced, you need to learn when to compromise based on time.

Some say, “Art demands obsession!” But it’s about priorities. If the film never gets finished, all that passion is wasted.

Only when you’ve mastered the basics of completing a film do you earn the right to indulge in creative perfectionism.

Some might suggest tripling the shooting schedule. Ironically, that’s one of the biggest causes of project failure.

But don’t worry—filmmaking isn’t just about obsessing over every shot.

If you finish the film, you’ll share:

• A sense of accomplishment
• Fun memories
• A decent product
• A feeling of creative joy

And that leads to your next project.

Start with something simple. Experience the unique satisfaction of completing a film.

And if you’ve already released a project, please share the URL—I’d love to connect as fellow creators.

Hope this was helpful.