Before You Commit to a Career in Independent Filmmaking

Aspiring Hollywood Newsletter 2nd Edition

Written by: Luc Saber

October 10, 2026

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After more than 30 years in the independent film business, here's what I've learned about following a dream, dealing with setbacks, and defining success on your own terms.

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I started this newsletter with the hope of providing guidance and practical advice to emerging filmmakers, drawn from my own life experiences.

I also started posting weekly articles and podcasts about the various stages of production, in chronological order, from pre-development to distribution and revenue management, sharing my two cents' worth of experience along the way. 

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Before I continue sharing what I've learned through the years, I feel it's important for us to get to know each other. And in that process, I want to be absolutely honest with you about the glamour, the realities, and sometimes the brutality of independent filmmaking.

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Why? Because I don't want you to spend the next ten years chasing a dream only to discover that it's not the dream you really want. Before I start talking about how to do this or that, I think it's important that you get to know me as a filmmaker and as a person. So, let's get acquainted. If you don't mind, I'll go first.

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I'll use my own experiences as an example of why being certain about your decision to pursue a career in filmmaking is so important. I had a previous career before entering the film business.

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Before I became involved in filmmaking, I held local and federal government jobs. I won't get into the specifics of what I used to do here, but I can tell you that both levels of government had their share of ups and downs. For the most part, though, the jobs were exciting, important, and worthwhile, and I was passionate about the work.

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But when the opportunity presented itself to follow my childhood dream of making movies, I knew that's exactly what I wanted to do. Although I had invested a lot of time and energy in my previous career, it wasn't difficult to change direction. I'd loved storytelling since high school, and turning that passion into a career as an adult felt like a genuine miracle.

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After about four years working in television production, both in front of and behind the camera, I was able to finance, write, and produce my first feature film. The movie had its challenges, but it ended up winning several awards at a film festival. As a result, I landed a limited theatrical release and domestic and foreign distribution deals. It was a blessing and a curse.

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Why a curse? Because it was my first film. Because everything happened so fast while I was still trying to understand the business. One day I was on magazine covers and making the morning and evening news, and the next I was desperately looking for work. Okay, so full transparency: I only booked two niche magazine covers a hundred years ago, but still, you get the point. The glitz and glamour that came early in my career weren't necessarily the best thing, because they didn't give me an honest picture of what the business was really like.

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I was certain that even if things didn't work out, I wouldn't regret choosing this path. But there were rough patches and years when nothing seemed to happen. One particularly difficult period came in 2007, when the writers went on strike and the industry came to a halt. There were times when I had to take jobs in other industries to make ends meet, and other times when I took on screenwriting teaching jobs to supplement my income. That's the reality of this business. It's not always caviar and champagne. Sometimes you have to find other ways to pay the bills, and sometimes events beyond your control, like labor strikes, can bring things to a standstill. Then there are the streaks of rejection.

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Speaking of rejection, forget about it, as Tony Soprano would say. The negative reviews are the worst.

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I was left holding a mixed bag. Some reviews were good, others were horrible, and the internet trolls had their field day spewing degrading and demoralizing comments. In spite of the awards, accolades, and financial success of a film project, one negative review or a mean comment can truly get to you.

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The saying “you must have thick skin in this business” couldn't be more true.

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There were times when I wasn't sure if I'd ever see a film set again, but I never regretted any of it. I never regretted following my dream.

After all the ups and downs, I was blessed with the opportunity to write, produce, and direct several feature films. I wrote and pitched TV shows, and even had the good fortune of selling one. I also created, produced, and wrote talk shows, created content for digital platforms, consulted with major production companies on screenplays, wrote books, and was honored by industry organizations for various projects.

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Looking back at the last three decades, I can honestly say that I didn't get rich by Hollywood standards, and I didn't win an Oscar. But I made a comfortable living doing what I love. By some standards, that might not be considered success, but to me, having been able to do what I love for so long is success.

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There were certainly more good times than bad. I earned a living, built a life, and learned a lot from both the good and the bad experiences. Through it all, one thing remained constant: my passion for the business.

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So, if you think you might regret spending a decade or two—or even three decades, as I have—chasing this dream, I'd urge you to think carefully before committing to it. This business can be brutal, and unless you truly love it, the journey can be a difficult one.

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I don't want this to sound too sentimental, but maybe it is. Still, I think it's important to say.

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If you decide to join the ranks of independent filmmakers, my wish for you is that you bring honor, respect, dedication, creativity, and love to the business. As you compete for your place in the marketplace, and hopefully one day find yourself on that Golden Globes or Oscars stage, be kind to one another. Encourage one another. Because in the end, when the race is over, what matters most are the memories we've made and the love we take with us.

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What draws you to independent filmmaking, and what do you think will be your biggest challenge?

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Let's have a conversation! You can follow me on LinkedIn and subscribe to my newsletter HERE 

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About the Author

Luc Saber is a filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, director, author, and story and production consultant with more than 30 years of experience in the film business. Through Aspiring Hollywood, he shares practical insights, advice, and stories about screenwriting, filmmaking, and the entertainment industry. For more information click here.

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