Why Every Filmmaker Needs a Creative Side Project
Courtesy of Andrew Neel
When you’re in the thick of deadlines, client notes, and the constant hustle of making films, it can be easy to forget why you started telling stories in the first place. That’s where a creative side project comes in — the secret weapon that can keep your artistic spark alive and even take your career to new heights.
1. Freedom to Experiment Without Pressure
Side projects are your personal creative lab. There’s no studio executive breathing down your neck, no marketing team tweaking your vision for “appeal,” and no investor asking for a safer option. This is where you get to:
Play with new techniques
Try genres you’ve never touched
Learn new equipment without the fear of failure
It’s freedom in its purest form — the kind of freedom that can lead to your most authentic work.
2. Growth Outside the Box
Working on the same types of projects can box you in creatively. A side project pushes you to develop new skills that may never come up in your usual work. You might:
Learn animation for a short film
Try writing instead of directing
Build a mood board for a concept that’s been haunting you for years
Those skills will inevitably spill over into your professional work, making you a more versatile filmmaker.
3. Building Community & Connection
When you work on something purely for love, you attract people who share that energy. Side projects can introduce you to collaborators who care more about the art than the paycheck — the kind of relationships that often turn into long-term creative partnerships.
4. Reigniting Passion When Burnout Hits
Burnout is real in the film industry. Long hours, heavy expectations, and the constant need to perform can drain you. A side project — something with no stakes and no pressure — can be the reset button your creative brain needs.
5. Potential Career Breakthroughs
Some of the most famous projects in film history started as “side projects.” They can open unexpected doors — film festival selections, viral moments, or even offers from people who resonate with your unfiltered vision.
Final Takeaway:
Your main projects might pay the bills, but your side projects will feed your soul. Don’t underestimate the power of creating something just because you want to. The best work often comes from the moments you weren’t trying to impress anyone — just trying to tell a story that matters to you.
What’s the creative idea you’ve been sitting on for months? Start it this weekend. Even if it’s small, even if it’s messy — your future self will thank you.
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