Eamon O’Rourke is a filmmaker, writer, screenwriter, and producer based in Brooklyn. He is also an activist who has played the game in the film industry for over ten years and has become an accomplished filmmaker, producing best-selling films with strong critical acclaim.

Eamon has had the highs and lows of making films. In this article, he shares what he wished he had known before he became a filmmaker.

1. Filmmaking can be compared to a marathon since the process takes a long:

Eamon O’Rourke says the one thing he wishes someone would have told him when becoming a filmmaker is that filmmaking is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s more complex than writing a script, hiring some people to act, and then having it done in a week or two. It takes time, research, planning, and teamwork.

2. Take control of the process. Don’t let financiers and sponsors misguide you:

Eamon O’Rourke says that the second thing he wishes someone would have told him when becoming a filmmaker is to take control of the process. The filmmaking process is long and tedious, so it’s important to be careful with your time and money. Don’t let financiers and sponsors dictate what you do.

3. One should believe in what they do and never have doubt but be open to learning new lessons:

Eamon says the third thing he wishes someone would have told him when becoming a filmmaker is to believe in what you do and have the urge to act like a student and learn from knowledgeable people. The key is not to be closed-minded and stubborn but curious and open-minded.

4. You deserve your achievements; never benchmark them with other filmmakers:

Eamon says the fourth thing he wishes someone would tell him when becoming a filmmaker is to believe in yourself and your abilities. You deserve the success you achieve. Refrain from benchmarking your achievements with other filmmakers. It’s unfair to do so because everyone has circumstances that dictate their work quality, not just their talent or ability.

5. Experimenting and learning cannot be avoided:

The producer says the fifth thing he wishes someone would have told him when becoming a filmmaker is that experimenting and learning cannot be avoided. Making films is fun, and there are ways to approach each project differently. If you can learn from your mistakes and try something new, it will make the process more rewarding for you. Experimenting with new ideas and approaches will allow you to develop your skills as a filmmaker.