How to Start Filmmaking as a Teenager when you none of your friends want to join

[fringe lark]

I'm an aspiring filmmaker, I've always loved movies and tv shows and want to make my own. But it's really hard to try and make them. I'm 16 and feel like the time I have to break into the industry is nearly over and if I don't start getting really good in the next few years than I will have failed. I've started production on my first short film with my friends, pre-production is all done and we've filmed about 30% of the film. But my friends, who are acting in it, don't really care about movies like I do, they have their own goals, and it's hard to organize us all together to actually shoot. And now that I'm entering ATAR at school (for non Aussies it's really hard year 11 & 12) and I'm not sure if I'll have time to shoot films anymore.
That's getting a bit rambly so basically what I'm asking is how do I build up my portfolio over the next 2 years when I won't have much time and the people I know aren't keen? Sorry if this sounds like a pity post, I just genuinely don't know what to do and I'm starting to worry about my future.

title is wrong, should say friends aren't keen

[bronze vigil]

you might be the youngest person I've ever seen use the phrase of feeling like "their time to break into the industry is nearly over"

truth is, you can contact film sets and ask to be an assistant on set at any age

the earlier you start, the more connections you will have

and the more time you'll have to grow in the industry

I don't know what skills you have as a filmmaker right now, but I recommend practicing and becomiing more skilled over creating "portfolio pieces"

because portfolio tends to come along as you progress your skills

I wish you all the best in creating your projects, and I know the absolute PAIN of being unable to finish projects

what kind of projects do you make/have you made currently?

if you don't mind sharing

[fringe lark]

Only project i've got is the short film I'm making with my friends

[bronze vigil]

then how about you make a documentary

a character study

it's great practice

and fewer production pains

don't get me wrong, do what you can to finish this project!

just remember that if you really want to make something, there's always the opportunity

whether you're 16 or in your late sixties

and that there's a lot of cinematographers who only break into feature film in their fourties

it's awesome to start young and to get good young. but not a neccesity

[dense cradle]

I am a 14 year old filmmaker in the exact same situation. Based on what I have seen/heard, I would start reaching out online and around your community to try and find people who love film as much as you do. That doesn't mean abandon your old friends, but you need actors and you can't force them to do it.
I would agree with what Kip said as well; don't feel like you are running out of time, and try to improve your skills, not create "portfolio pieces." The strategy I take is on every project I pick one specific thing to improve. That can be screenwriting, storyboarding, shot types, ect. Then I put all of my effort into that one thing and learn all about it.

Those are my two cents. Overall, just don't feel discouraged. We've got more time to develop skills than anyone else in the industry, and while we should take advantage of that, it also means we don't need to rush.
Good luck on your short film!

[tame arch]

I started practicing my film-making skills when I was a bit younger than you. My friends were not very keen on acting as well, so I practiced by doing stop-motion with action figures and filming myself acting in front of a camera on a tripod. If you can't find actors, you got to be the actor.

Aside from that, I will also recommend looking for any local community of either film or theater enthusiasts. You will find people there who would happily want to act in front of the camera.

[bronze vigil]

Yeah, just do the projects your friends do want to be part of.
From 8 Y.o. till 13 Y.o. i just mostly filmed myself/stop-motion

After that there were a couple of short projects with friends

Very little from 16-19

After that, studied film

[fringe lark]

so I don't need to rush these next 2 years?

[bronze vigil]

Improve what you want
Improve the way you can

If you want to get into a film school with high bar of entry then you may need to read up on lenses, lighting etc

And get yourself onto film sets

But solo filmmaking is completely different from doing just camera, just directing, just lighting or just audio mixing

[bitter plover]

Dude you have all the time in the world, especially if in your teens, especially if you’re trying to break into film. I’m 21, still in CC, and I still feel I have so much time to get into the industry. The industry will always need people to make magic happen!

[regal rock]

they don't want to because you're forcing them
find out what they like to do

[agile cipher]

just reading this now but this is the sad state of things when kids have to look at all these successful wunderkinds in the media and think if they dont make it now now now they're gonna never make it when its just not true. the best thing to do however is work within your limitations, and look up other projects that have worked within those limitations. Search up "Joel Havar Island" he made a full feature entirely by himself, unfortunately you cant watch the movie anymore but he does talk about how he did it and everything.

[fringe lark]

I'm not forcing them, they agreed to do it it's just not a big priority for them and I understand that

[dense cradle]

Joel Haver actually made another solo feature recently, We have to Leave Here Together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGpwCRLni3M&t=210s

[agile cipher]

yeah thats true i just think island plays better to the low budget nature and might be more inspiring since its part of the visual flare, shows how you can turn low budget into an asset better imo

[dense cradle]

I havn't seen island so idk, but I what stood out to me with WHTLHT was how he managed to pull off the clone shots and make it cinematic without a crew or camera movement. I'll have to see if I can find Island for comparasion

[regal rock]

find out what makes them more involved/more interested

[bitter plover]

I’ve dealt with friends on projects who were down to be apart of it, but it wasn’t a priority for them, and also, when we finally got to film, they weren’t very cooperative.

Essentially, you can have your friends help you with filmmaking, but they can’t be a main focus of it. And I understand, it’s very hard to do anything by yourself film wise