Here we are - at the end of the road. Sort of. Not really. 

Welcome back fellow movie makers and documentary enthusiasts. Good news, you’ve made it! If you’ve been following me along with every Moonshot episode, you have completed your pre-production planning.

If you haven’t, that’s also fine! As all the episodes can always be found here. 

Now, this doesn’t mean it’s time to relax. No, no, no - the work is just getting started! But if you’re like me, this is only a good thing. But I won’t overwhelm you with what is to come. This week, we’re going to take the time to pull our heads out of the thorough and deep planning we’ve been doing and instead reflect and look at the BIG picture. 

How far you’ve come and how far you’ll go

It’s at this point in the process I find it best to come back to one simple question: ‘Why am I making this documentary?’ 

Really think about it. What was the idea that lit a flame in your mind that just couldn’t be put out? And why did you decide that a documentary was the way for this story needed to be told? Most likely, the idea is something you are deeply passionate about and you want nothing more than to share it with the world! And rightly so. 

And what an exciting journey to choose to go on! The places you may go and the people you you will meet. This truly is an experience that not many outside the realm of filmmaking can fully comprehend. How good is that!

The great and looming wall

You should keep your answer to ‘Why am I making a documentary?’ close by at all times. As like many great challenges, one day, you may hit the wall. This wall goes as far left as you can see and as far right. The wall stands between you and your goal, if you can only find a way around… 

This old (and most likely flawed) metaphor simply implies that sometimes you may hit an obstacle in your filmmaking journey that seems to gargantuan to overcome. Maybe this comes in the form of losing some talent, a financial calamity or even your own self-doubt. 

But like many things, the only way to overcome it is tenacity. You need to come back to that question and decide that this is something you’re going to do. When you’re feeling that doubt, that’s your cue to lean in and prove that doubt wrong. 

We’re here to help

If that’s not enough to keep you afloat, that’s where I come in. It’s my goal that through Moonshine Communications Academy, our various courses, the Moonshot series and with our resources - that you feel confident, prepared and excited. If you’re ever not, I could not encourage you more to reach out to us for support. 

Traditionally (especially with documentary), filmmaking has been a bit of a learn-as-you-go process. Which is fine for some, in fact, the more you’re out with a camera experimenting the better! But from my own personal experience in the field, a helping hand is a good hand. The Moonshot series aims to fill in those gaps of knowledge and help you put your best foot forward. 

Where to from here?

From here, we are going to start looking at production! It’s been a long time coming, but I’m definitely ready and I’m sure you are too. If you’re not, you’ve still got plenty of time to catch up on previous lessons before we move on. 

If 2023 is the year you make your documentary, I want to be here alongside you! So keep me in the loop. Make sure to send me a message on Instagram, Facebook or Linkedin or just send me an e-mail. 

Until then, rest up! You’ve got a big journey ahead of you.