Morten Forland

Eventually, those two worlds can collide in a beautiful way.

Are you building toward that hybrid career?

🎬 Directing your own projects proves you can direct.

🎯 Specialization sets you apart from every other indie director.

I’ve found the sweet spot is somewhere in between.

Work in the industry. Build a skill. Earn a paycheck.

Then use that to fund your directing habit.

I went from cutting indie films and doing it all—editing, VFX, even sound—to focusing on one specialty: VFX editorial.

Now I work on studio films and shows for studios and streamers.

Would I recommend the same path for a director?

Not exactly.

But here’s the key:

Here’s what no one tells you about breaking into Hollywood:

You don’t get there by doing a little bit of everything.

You get there by becoming unreasonably good at one thing.

That’s been my experience in post-production.

How would you use YouTube to serve your next film?

• Own the Channel If possible, release under your own channel. You can partner with other channels to create exposure for your film, but building your own audience will benefit you a lot more in the long run.
YouTube is not just a place to upload—it’s a platform to build on.

• Build a Content Ecosystem Behind-the-scenes videos, character intros, making-of docs, Q&As, keep giving your audience a reason to come back and engage.

• Staggered Release Start with transactional platforms like Amazon or Vimeo On Demand. Let early fans pay to watch. Move to YouTube after 6-12 months for long-tail exposure.

Thinking about putting your indie film on YouTube?

Here’s the 3-part strategy I’d follow next time, based on what I learned releasing 'Wild Boys':

🎬 Directors: How do you practice leadership before you’re given the chance to lead at scale?

As an indie filmmaker, you’re used to flying a paper airplane.

The skills don’t transfer 1:1.

You need to evolve from hands-on maker to high-level leader.

From doing the thing to directing the people who do the thing.

We weren’t even doing the effects—just managing them.

There were meetings, spreadsheets, status updates, QC checks, delivery schedules. It felt like I was in a startup, not on a creative project.

It made me think: directing a studio film must feel like piloting a 747.

One of the strangest things about working in Hollywood post-production?

You’re in the middle of a giant machine—and you’re still just one piece.

On a recent show, I was part of a five-person VFX team.

Just on the editing side.

Step 3 - Combine Character POV with Your Own:

• Your unique experiences as a director shape the film’s POV.
• This creates a richer, more compelling story.

It took me a decade, but now I know: mastering POV is the secret to confident, precise directing.

Step 2 - POV Guides Your Directing:

• POV helps you decide on shots, blocking, and pacing.
• When you’re directing with a specific POV in mind, you save time and effort, and can focus on the pieces you actually need.

Step 1 - Focus on Specificity:

• Know your protagonist like you know your best friends.
• Specificity makes your characters more relatable to the audience.

The Secret to Confident Directing: POV

It took me a decade to grasp this fundamental concept in filmmaking, but once I did, it changed everything.

YouTube gives you access, but you need a strategy.

Would you trade creative freedom for reach—or would you rather keep control, even if fewer people watch?

• Market your film yourself
• Build the audience
• Maintain engagement
• Understand how the algorithm works

We released 'Wild Boys' through Indie Rights' YouTube channel. While we benefitted from their subscriber base, we still had to do our own promotion.

Lesson:

Distributors are gatekeepers.

YouTube gives filmmakers a rare thing: complete control.

No gatekeepers. No asking for permission. No watered-down pitches.

But with that freedom comes responsibility.

You need to:

If you don’t know where to start, ask fellow filmmakers for referrals. A great entertainment lawyer is an investment in your film’s future.

What’s the best legal advice you’ve ever received in filmmaking? Let’s talk.

Distributors have their lawyers. Do you have yours?

Even if you’re making a micro-budget film, getting legal guidance early will save you money later.

A good lawyer can:

✔️ Make sure your contracts hold up legally.

✔️ Help you draft fair agreements for cast and crew.

✔️ Ensure you own the rights to your own film.

✔️ Prevent distribution nightmares before they happen.

Here’s a reality check:

The One Investment Every Indie Filmmaker Should Make
It’s not camera gear.

It’s not festival submissions.

It’s not a PR team.

The #1 investment every indie filmmaker should make? A good entertainment lawyer.

You might think you don’t need one. Until you do.

Filmmaking isn’t just about making movies.

It’s about understanding movies.

The more you study, the sharper your instincts will become.

• Rewatch key scenes. Break down the choices the director made. How did they use composition? Pacing? Lighting? Performance?
• Mimic and analyze. Try recreating shots with your phone. See how the choices feel when you shoot them yourself.

• Watch with intention. Pick a specific thing to focus on; blocking, editing, sound design, whatever tickles your fancy.
• Take notes. Write down what works, what doesn’t, and why.

Want to be a better director?

Start watching films like a filmmaker.

Most people watch movies for entertainment.

Filmmakers watch movies for education.

Here’s how to study films effectively:

• Create content during production that speaks to them.
• Build a community before the premiere.
The work is the same: it’s storytelling.

But now the story is about why your film matters and who should see it.

Filmmakers: How early do you think about your audience?

Marketing starts long before the film is done.

It starts with a question:

Who am I making this for?

If your answer is “everyone,” you’ve already lost.

Here’s what I do now:

• Define the audience while writing the script.