Making Films That Speak to You

I often get asked, "What advice would you give other producers and filmmakers wanting to make a film?" There are so many ways to answer this question. You could be inspirational and encouraging, saying things like, "Work hard and follow your dreams!" Or you could throw in a cliché like, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."

But for me, the answer is much deeper than that.

When you set out to make a film, you need to ask yourself three critical questions:

1. Why do you want to make a film?

2. Why this film?

3. How will your film make the world a better place?

   
   

You must truly believe in your answers—not just give the ones that sound good or will impress others.

If you can honestly answer these questions, then your heart is in the story. If my heart hadn’t been in Just a Farmer, I would have given up long ago. Some of the challenges I’ve faced while making this film have been so soul-destroying that I’ve questioned everything—who I am, what I stand for, and whether I was even on the right path.

Some people make films or act because they want to be noticed, to stand in the limelight, to become famous or wealthy. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with those motivations. But if those were my reasons for telling stories through film, I would have failed miserably.

We all have our own reasons for doing what we do, but it’s important to own them—to be transparent and loyal to your goals. I’ve crossed paths with many people in this industry who don’t align with my values or way of thinking, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to stand firm in my beliefs, even when the road is lonely.

If a young director brought me a script and asked me to produce it, my first question would be, "What are you willing to sacrifice to make this film?"

Because if you want to make a film that changes the world, you have to give it everything. There’s no such thing as work-life balance when you’re in the thick of it. There’s no time to juggle other projects or distractions. You need to be all in. And if you’re asking a producer to take your project on, you’d better be ready to go to war with them. Filmmaking is a battlefield, and some battles will feel unwinnable. A producer needs to know you’re willing to fight those battles by their side.

For me, filmmaking is a way to tell stories that inspire people to live with love, to be the best versions of themselves, and to connect on a deeply human level. Every filmmaker has their own style, and mine is rooted in creating stories that evoke true human connection and emotion.

So, long answer short, my advice is this: If your heart isn’t in it, don’t even bother starting.