Three Tips to Grow in Your Craft at Home

I know the panic you are feeling. I get it, I’m there, too.

Many of you may find yourselves at home, panic-waiting for toilet paper and for an answer to this pandemic. When will it stop? In the meantime you are either self-quarantining or forced to stay at home. What you may fail to see is the benefit of locking yourself for weeks at a time. Remember that time you said you really wanted to write a feature film, but that you just didn’t have any time? I get it, you may still have to work remotely or figure out a way to make do with what you have. But many of you are also on paid leave. Please don’t get me wrong: Make sure you secure yourself and your family before you begin thinking about growing in your craft. But if you’re there, or if you believe this is the right time, then I’m here for you.

In this blog I discuss the three things you can do while at home.

1. Create

   If you find yourself with unoccupied hours on end, consider doing that one thing you have been wanting to do. Whether that is writing a feature film, starting a YouTube channel or blog, or even editing that one project that’s been on the back-burner. This is the time to start on it. If you want to start on feature film, then check out our brand new eBook: The Wish Creative Guide to Writing a Script in 14 Days Before the End of the World.

2. Watch:

   This one applies specifically for filmmakers. I can’t tell you how many self-development pundits have recommended to get rid of your TVs and replace them with bookshelves. I think they are dead wrong. Escapism is real, especially during these times, and if you want to watch The Office again then may I recommend season 4? Even beyond escapism, watching films is the number one way I have learned about filmmaking. There’s nothing like analyzing the works of those you want to emulate. Your film school is Criterion Channel and Netflix. Enjoy yourself, and learn from the greats: What’s so wrong with that? If you don’t know where to start, specially with Criterion Channel, may I recommend some movies?

3. Learn:

   Are you still on Premiere like I am but have been advised to switch to Resolve? Are you still shopping at Barnes & Noble when you have 10 books on queue? Is that guitar gathering dust and your calluses softening? Whatever your endeavor, this is specially a good time to grow in your craft. If you have been putting off that micro-budget feature, may I recommend our Make Your Micro-Budget Feature course? In it I go through every step needed to get from an idea to a finished product.

I hope that you use this time to your advantage. Life has thrown lemons to every human in the planet. It’s lemonade time.

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