Should I Go Freelance or Work Under Someone First?

It’s a common crossroads for anyone stepping into the film space: Do I jump in on my own, or should I build under someone else’s vision for a while? It can feel like a loaded question—but it’s not about choosing the “right” path. It’s about choosing the one that grows you.

Let’s break it down.

1. What Season Are You In?

If you're early in your journey, working under someone isn't a step back—it’s a setup. It gives you exposure to workflows, team communication, gear you might not have access to yet, and the rhythm of production days. You get to learn in real-time, with real stakes, and make mistakes while someone else holds the final accountability.

But if you've put in time, built up your technical skills, and feel a strong sense of creative direction—freelancing might give you the space to own your voice. There’s a different kind of growth that happens when you’re calling the shots and carrying the weight.

The trick is being honest with yourself. Not where you want to be—but where you actually are.

2. Romanticizing Either Side Will Cost You

Freelance offers creative freedom—but it also means running a business. You’re handling contracts, negotiating rates, setting timelines, managing revisions, and wearing every hat behind the scenes. It’s real responsibility.

Working under someone might mean shooting weddings you’re not passionate about, or lighting scenes that aren’t your aesthetic. You might feel overlooked at times. But you’ll learn process, client interaction, pacing, and industry standards—all of which are harder to absorb when you're building solo.

If you idealize either path, you’re likely to get blindsided by the parts no one talks about.

3. Don’t Miss the Unlikely Training Grounds

Not every valuable experience will be labeled as “film school” or “director shadowing.” Sometimes the best lessons come from being a PA on someone else’s set, editing for a church’s media team, or helping a friend shoot their web series.

Serving someone else’s vision might not look glamorous, but it sharpens your instincts and teaches you how to lead with humility. Pay attention in those places. They often prepare you for more than you realize.

4. Freelance Doesn’t Mean Isolation

Going solo doesn’t mean going alone. You still need community, creative partners, and people who tell you when your cut needs another pass. You need those who will stretch you, challenge you, and support you.

Don’t wait for a studio to give you a team. Build one. Invest in relationships. Collaborate. Barter. Grow together.

Whether you’re freelancing or assisting, filmmaking has always been a communal art form.

5. Your Calling Isn’t Fragile

You won’t miss your purpose because you started by assisting someone else. And you won’t lose your shot by freelancing before someone gave you permission.

What matters more is how you’re showing up to whatever lane you’re in. Are you teachable? Are you stewarding the opportunities well? Are you staying faithful when no one’s applauding?

God isn’t measuring your career by your highlight reel. He’s looking for people who carry vision with character—and those people can be trusted with more.

What Should You Do?

There’s no universal map. Just an invitation: Get quiet. Ask God where He wants you right now. Choose obedience over ego. And know this—both paths require grit, humility, and consistency.

Whether you're freelancing or apprenticing, it’s not about which one makes you look more legit. It’s about which one makes you more like the filmmaker you’re called to be.

Keep building. Keep learning. It counts.