This will be 3-part series about going solo in the filmmaking and videography world. This is based on my personal experiences and is not a complete list of how to get started. Please make sure and do your own research before you dive into this world. The production world has become a very competitive landscape, so make sure your starting on solid ground. My hope is that this will be another tool in your tool belt that helps you.Part 1 is about what it means to be 

Part 1 is about what it means to be a one man-man band and why it may be a good or bad choice.

Part 2 covers the equipment and software you will need to get started shooting your first videos.

Part 3 goes in depth on some of the best practices to follow when shooting your videos and how to go about getting work.

Part 1: What is a One-Man-Band in the video world? 

Have you ever seen a one-man band? When I lived in California I was strolling the Universal Walk and saw this man playing 5 different instruments. Not only was be playing “Billy Jean” by Michael Jackson perfectly, he somehow was able to sing too. It was quite a sight to behold, and for all his talent I wondered why he didn’t have an actual band with him.

For a lot of aspiring videographers and filmmakers trying to break into the industry, going solo is the only way to start. Perhaps it’s because they lack any real world experience and no one wants to work with them yet; or due to the lack of experience, the only available gigs are low paying and do not allow for the hiring of additional help.

Even if you're fresh out of film school, there is no guarantee that you will find a job immediately out of the gate. The entry level into the filmmaking or the video making world is a lot lower than it used to be. With video equipment costing a fraction of what it used to and software being made easier for beginners to learn, it's become very crowded out there.  Millions of videos are uploaded online on Youtube and Vimeo which makes your voice a lot quieter, and harder for someone to stumble across your masterpiece. Although there are a lot of people trying their hand in the production world, it doesn’t mean you should give up. Just as with everything worthwhile in life, if you work hard, stay focused and hustle, you have a chance.

If you decided or have decided long ago that you want to make videos, congratulations! Creating content is one of the most engaging, challenging and fun career path anyone can have. When you look at either form your own production company or be a for hire videographer or filmmaker there are quite a few options. One of the choices is whether to start out on your own or go in with others.

Let’s go over a few pros and cons of working alone.

PROS

• Pocket more money to buy better equipment.
•  Start out small and work your way up at your own pace.
•  Work in all aspects of production to see where you best fit.
•  Only have to sell yourself!
•  Your reel is 100% YOU!

CONS

• Limited budgets.
• Can be overwhelming.
• Literally have to be a jack-of-all-trades.
• Shows potential weaknesses.

Should I Give it a Go?

You need to weigh all the options before deciding if this is the best route for you. Once you make the choice, stick it out. It won’t be easy and it will be quite daunting at first, but stick with it and you will be rewarded.

I've met some great lone gunners and some their work has been fantastic. Watching their videos and knowing they did it all by themselves is quite impressive.

Starting out working for and with just yourself is a great way to get your feet wet too. This allows you to get a reel started, begin networking and hopefully start making some extra bucks. And convincing yourself about getting into video is a lot easier than persuading other individuals or even a bank to help start your business. An added bonus is you can still work a day job and only have to coordinate your schedule for shoots.

A one-man band DOES go against  production fundamentally is. A collaboration between many creative individuals. Have you ever stayed in the theater after seeing a movie and wait for the credits? Hundreds or more of people work in conjunction to create a film. Now unless your first project is a 50 million feature film, you don't need a 2nd AC and 12 gaffers.

When I first started out I had a few friends who were willing to help, mostly by acting in whatever ridiculous video I had concocted, but when it came to the actual production It was all me. I was the director, cameraman, grip, sound tech and everything in between. At first, I felt hopeless. How would I make it if I couldn't focus on just a single task? The truth was it taught me about every aspect of production, in detail. I learned what I was good at, and what I wasn’t. This allowed me to better run my business when I hired others and be a much better director on set.

Doing the job of many, especially if some of the hats don't quite fit can also be a recipe for disaster. For every great solo act, I also see tons of terrible videos. Having the skill set needed and working hard does help, but going at it alone isn't the best for everyone. In part 3  I will go over some best practices to help you succeed and lower the chances of your videos looking amateur or showcasing your weaknesses. So strap in and buckle up! It's going to be a bumpy, but exciting ride.

So you want to go at this thing solo huh?  Stay tuned for Part 2 where I cover what equipment and software you need to get started.