Like others, I doubted what I should call myself. Am I a:
- Filmmaker? That sounds very pompous.
- Videographer? Well, I do way more than operating a camera and recording videos.
- Cinematographer or DP (Director of Photography)? Sure, I light and shoot a scene, but then I do preplanning, scripting, and editing.
So, I looked around and found this article with the best distinction between those three.
Based on that, and despite people searching more for videography and cinematography, I'll stick to filmmaking.
Google search volume for filmmaking, videography and cinematography [Source: Ahrefs]
Besides, I like making documentary-styled videos, and I don't think documentary filmmakers would ever call themselves documentary videographers!
My filmmaking journey
As a kid, people used to ask me what I wanted to become when I grew up.
An archeologist or a camera operator.
While I recall being inspired by the Indiana Jones films, I do not know how I'd come up with my second choice! And as I got married to an archeologist, I'm now on a path to fulfill my second dream (apparently)!
I got my first proper camera when my daughter was born in 2014. Surprisingly, it was my wife who prompted me to buy a camera to document our family's life. Little did she know how expensive this hobby would turn out to become and that, like every other man, I'd try hiding any new piece of gear I'd end up spending money on!
I didn't know that solo filmmaking would become such a thrilling and rewarding journey in my life. From capturing stories to beautiful imagery, every little part of filmmaking has taught me many lessons that I'm here to share with you.
YouTuber
A YouTuber is someone who creates videos and shares them on YouTube for others to watch, learn from, or enjoy.
Some YouTubers make videos just for fun, while others turn it into a full-time job, earning money through ads, sponsorships, or even by selling products. They can talk about anything—gaming, travel, education, or just their daily lives. The goal is to build an audience who loves their content and keeps coming back for more.
When I first started creating content, I never expected to become a YouTuber. My focus was on writing, blogging, and sharing my experiences through articles. But over time, I realized that video content was becoming a powerful way to reach and connect with more people. What started as an experiment—just posting a few videos here and there—turned into something much bigger. Before I knew it, I had an audience who wanted more, and suddenly, I found myself balancing both web publishing and making YouTube videos!
Why filmmaking?
An image is a thousand words. A video, a series of images glued together, is a million words. Instead of putting them on paper, I put them on the screen for a more enjoyable experience. Filmmaking is a significant part of my web publishing business, specifically in my content creation process, since video has taken over the online world.
During this solo filmmaking journey, I've come across many resources that have been very helpful in allowing me to tell better stories. These tools and resources have not only simplified the filmmaking process but also helped me produce content that I'm genuinely proud of.
Filmmaking Resources
Whether you're a fellow solo documentary filmmaker looking to entertain and educate or someone just starting out in the world of video creation, the resources I'm about to share have been handpicked from my own experiences.
They cover everything from the essential gear that has become an extension of my creative vision to the software that brings my footage to life and even the little touches that add depth and emotion to the final piece. These resources are designed to help you in the filmmaking process, making it easier and/or quicker.
So, let's dive into the toolkit that has supported my solo filmmaking adventures, enabling me to capture stories in a way that's both impactful and financially sustainable.
Some links below are affiliate links. By clicking on them, you not only help me pay this blog’s bills, but you also show your appreciation towards any helpful tip you read on my website. Besides, you don’t have to use the links if you don’t like. The price is the same whether you use the link or not.
✔️ = I have personally used the service/software.