A filmmaker is anyone who plays a major role in the making of a movie.
Some people use filmmaker interchangeably with director, but they’re not always the same thing. The main difference between a director and a filmmaker comes down to scope: a director has a specific role in overseeing the creative direction of a film, while filmmaker can refer to anyone who plays a significant role in the making of the film. This can include assistant directors, cinematographers, editors, and producers.
Other crew members like costume designers, production assistants, choreographers, and studio executives can also call themselves filmmakers, although it becomes rarer the more niche and specialized the role.
The advent of the smartphone and similar technology has made it easier than ever to become a filmmaker. Anyone can grab their phone, capture footage, edit it, and create a movie.
But a working filmmaker – someone who is able to make a living from their filmmaking experience and expertise – is a far more intensive and challenging undertaking. With time, dedication to one’s craft, and tenacity, it is possible to break into the film industry. But anyone pursuing a filmmaking career should prepare themselves for the inevitable instability that is inherent to it.
In order to get a fuller grasp of what it takes to be a filmmaker, we spoke with a range of working directors, writers, producers, costume designers, and more — all of whom you’ll hear from throughout this article.