A Fimmaker Is A Parent

Let's be clear here, the ability to give birth to a story you want to tell on screen is a responsibility. When it goes out there, much like your children, you hope it doesn't cause too much destruction. Also...they cost you money you thought it couldn't. Most who hear you are making a movie have zero sympathies. Because they assume it's all fun. It's not all fun. It can be in passing, but the next issue comes up and you have to address it. People also will criticize your children. The kneejerk reaction is to get defensive. You believe you are a decent parent, but turns out your kid is a shit and you have to come to terms with it.
I've experienced a lot of doubt that I am a good parent. Though this type of doubt keeps me on my toes. And reaching to guide a better child. You must listen.
The greatest thing you will learn (if your project comes from your own pocket), people won't understand the sacrifices. I could go into the details of how much things cost, but the reality is...it's never enough. To anyone who has to deal with stretching a buck. No one has sympathies for you over that either. Like you could spend thousands on...anything else you want. A car, a gourmet meal, an expensive television, instead, you make a movie.
A ton of people will be confused as to why you put words to paper to film and why it isn't something you skip to work for. The answer? You are juggling compromise. I have ZERO time to take stock in what I have, what I can afford and how much time I need to do it. Now a lot of people assume that you can recruit others to help. Absolutely true. Here's the deal. To explain the ragtag way to do something takes more effort than doing it yourself. AND you still have to trust that person. NO ONE wants to be subjected to that, and most leave shortly after a few projects. This is an aggressive, chaotic mess that someone has to juggle. The logistics of making a movie shouldn't just be handed off to an eager participant. Much like shooting in a town unfamiliar with production, the idea of making movies is much more enticing than the work that it actually involves. To do it right. I know plenty of filmmakers who could care less who they step on or who they abuse to get their story on film. These stories are fun to hear, horrid to live through.
And no one realizes that the money means all that much. Or the sacrifice to get that money means much. I've sold cameras/film/goods, just anything that wasn't bolted down to get my movie on screen. And people have no idea (nor should they). Everyone has their own sacrifices
Every once in a while I'll re-watch the making of "Blade Runner" to which director Ridley Scott would constantly be in battle with...well, everyone. He spat out one time to an art director "DON'T rationalize with me!" Being a nice person does not make a filmmaker. Though I often think how deeply tyrannical directors sometimes have to be. Everyone seems to come with all types of suggestions. Expecting that the filmmaker is floundering. In reality, it's a balancing act between good ideas. EXCEPT, the one thing most people don't take into consideration...that there is a bigger picture in the end. Despite some uncertainty. People often confuse thoughtfulness for confusion. Much as kindness is to weakness.