🎬 5 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way While Shooting My Short Film

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By Brain Planet Studios



When I set out to shoot one of my short film, I thought I had it all figured out. I had the script, a camera, some motivated friends, and a big dream. But the actual shoot? Let’s just say—reality hit like a boom mic to the face.

If you're a new filmmaker, here are five things I wish someone had told me before I shouted “action” that very day.

1. Audio Will Betray You If You Don’t Respect It

I was so focused on the visuals—framing shots, lighting scenes, creating the cinematic look—that I treated sound like an afterthought. Big mistake.

Though this wasn’t my first short film. 

As I was about to start shooting, I discover my lapel wasn’t working. I had to go with plan B, with was not the best, but it got the job done.

You can check out the short film on YouTube.

@ Brain Planet Studios 

https://youtu.be/ficnEhpzafU?si=SI7TgMDPUBTqqS1U

Haunted Path Movie poster

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Lesson: Invest in a good mic. Scout quiet locations. And monitor your sound while shooting. Bad audio kills great footage faster than a shaky camera ever will.

2. Lighting Is the Silent Storyteller

We were shooting indoors with no lights—just sunlight through a window. Looked fine to the eye. But when we got to post? Half the shots were grainy or muddy. One scene looked like a horror film—and it was supposed to be romantic.

Lesson: Learn how to bounce light, block light, and shape it. Even cheap LED panels or DIY reflectors can make your scenes look 10x better.

3. Actors Need More Than a Script—They Need Direction

I had talented friends helping me, but I assumed they’d “just know” what to do. I was wrong. They still needed me to tell them how to move, what to feel, and when to react.

Lesson: As a director, your job is to translate the emotion in the script into real, believable actions. Rehearse. Talk to your actors. Build trust. You’re not just filming—you’re guiding performances.

4. Time Will Always Run Out

We thought we could shoot an entire 20-minute film in one day. Ha. Between late arrivals, missing props, camera battery and drama, we finished but it was by the Grace of God. And thank God it’s a one location movie, that made it easier.

Lesson: Add extra time to your schedule. Then double it. And always have a backup plan for outdoor shoots. Filmmaking loves chaos—you’ve got to stay flexible.

5. Editing Is Where the Real Film Happens

I thought the hard part was over after we wrapped. But editing? That’s where I truly learned what filmmaking is.

Pacing, cutting, adding music, fixing color issues, syncing dialogue—all the soul of the story came together in post. And suddenly, I saw where we nailed it… and where we hadn’t.

Lesson: Don’t rush your edit. And don’t be afraid to cut entire scenes if they don’t serve the story. Less is often more.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Your first film won’t be perfect. Mine definitely wasn’t. But it’ll teach you more than any YouTube tutorial ever could.

Embrace the mess. Learn from it. And above all—keep shooting. Because every mistake is a step toward mastery.

If you're just starting your filmmaking journey, let me know what you're struggling with. Or better yet—share your own “hard lesson” in the comments. We’re all learning together.


#IndieFilmmaking #FilmmakerLife #ShortFilmJourney #BrainPlanetStudios

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