Things I’ve Learned As A Moviemaker

by Jim McKay | Published February 3, 2007

The Art of Storytelling

Make sure the story is something that means enough to you to spend four years of your life working on.

I think it’s really important to always keep in mind that you are an outsider and if you’re trying to make something that’s realistic, you need to do a certain amount of work to make sure that it’s alright.

Directing on Instinct

If you have an instinct about something you’ve really got to act on it otherwise it’s going to be too late.

About Inspiration

Make a film because it’s important to you, not because you’re just trying to make a film.

Working With Actors

Really respect them, give them time and work with them a lot before you actually get in front of the camera.

The Desire to Direct

For me, a lot of it is selfish; a lot of it is what can I do to expand my own horizons and learn something new in my own life? That was a big part of this - make new friends and travel to new places; kind of like the Army, but less rigorous.

First-Time Moviemakers

To me, you deserve a little bit of time to learn your craft and make your way and make your mistakes. I feel like I’m doing that. Hopefully my next film will be even better.

Influential Directors

I think two filmmakers who really mean a lot to me are Cassavetes and Spike Lee. They’re really, really different filmmakers - they’re both kind of in your face - but one of them is extremely about the personal, inner life and the other is much more about the outer world and how we interact.

Filmography

Our Song (2001)
Girls Town (1996)

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