Filmmaker's Guide: What's In & Out for 2026?

Summary:

Here's a breakdown of the filmmaker's intentions and predictions for 2026:

No more audio risers to get people's attention.
Spend money on rental equipment instead of impulse gear purchases.
Reduce doom scrolling by implementing tools like Brick to block apps.

The Brick device used to block distracting apps [ 00:04:29 ]
Go offline to be present, but find a balance to maintain online connections.
Watch more movies for inspiration and narrative ideas.
Focus on storytelling in content and collaborate with creatives who excel in it.
Prioritize workouts to maintain physical health for demanding film sets.
Be more intentional with spec ads, focusing on purpose and experimentation.
Be more concise with language, eliminating filler words and being deliberate with communication.
Take more crew photos to acknowledge and appreciate the team, prioritizing people over brands.

Intro [00:00:00]

The speaker starts by introducing the topic of the video. She says she will be chatting about the ins and outs for 2026 for filmmakers.

Audio risers
- No longer using audio risers to get people's attention.
- 2026 is going to be a really organic year with real people and stories.
Gear purchases
- Stop impulse purchasing gear.
- Spend money on rental equipment.
- Goal to use an Alexa Mini LF or an Alexa LF or an Alexa X camera this year for the first time.
  
  Old hard drives that need organizing, representing accumulated gear [ 00:04:03 ]

Doom scrolling
- Stop doom scrolling.
- Use Brick to block apps in the morning.
  
  The Brick device used to block distracting apps [ 00:04:29 ]
- TikTok is out for 2026 because of low creator compensation in Canada.
Offline presence
- Being chronically online is out of style.
- There are benefits to being online, including connecting with people and maintaining relationships.
Where to find inspiration
- Movies, not Instagram.
- Consistently and only finding inspiration online and on Instagram is out for 2026.

Narrative work
- Do more narrative work this year, including at least one short film.
New hobbies
- Adopt new hobbies, such as coloring, to shut off the brain and quiet the mind.
Storytelling
- Storytelling is in for 2026.
- Team up with creatives and directors who are good at storytelling.
- Story should drive content, films, commercials, and documentaries.

Working out
- Work out way more in 2026.
- Important for physical health on set.
- Move your body to move out of your head, take a good shower.
Spec ads
- Spec ads with a purpose is in.
- Be more intentional with the specs that are shot, using the gear that is wanted.
- Experiment with different lenses.
Channel intention
- Keeping things concise on this channel is in.
- Stop saying "like" and "um."
- Be intentional with words.

Crew photos
- Crew photos are in.
- Take photos at lunchtime on a retro camera.
- Acknowledge and appreciate the people you work with.
- Prioritize people over brands.