Renowned Feature Film Producer, Yolandi Franken, Reveals Stellar Tips To Aspiring Filmmakers

In case you’re making short movies, at some point or another, you’re going to begin conceptualizing approaches to make your first feature film. As an ambitious filmmaker, you should and likely will challenge yourself consistently. Additionally, it’s essential to use the resources surrounding you and which are available to you to get your project off the ground. There is no time like the present, and with a well-planned project, you have no reason to wait.

Your ultimate goal as a career filmmaker should be to delve into the world of feature filmmaking or television. Shorts films are great for experience and building your craft, building a reel, and getting your name out there through festivals. But the project itself seldom offers you much long-term return.  

Yolandi Franken, the uber-talented producer of three feature films; Turbines, Tabernacle 101, and Streets of Color, a three-section documentary series called Yols Discover, two TV Series; The Fast Lane and Miss Multiverse Australia, and many shorter stories, below unleashes what newbie filmmakers must do to create flawless feature films.

Franken’s Tabernacle 101 had a US cinematic release, and The Fast Lane was aired on television across South-East Asia and Turbines and Miss Multiverse Australia is available for viewing n Amazon Prime and Tubi. She has also contributed to plenteous prestigious film festivals, garnering accolades for her phenomenal work. Her productions are accessible worldwide on streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, Apple TV. In 2019, Yolandi Franken joined WIFT – Women in Film and Television-Australia. She is also the Co-Chair of their NSW Committee and Chair of their Virtual Arm. In 2014 Yolandi laid a Foundation for a charitable film festival called Cause Film Festival, which she held for three years before leaving her position as Festival Director and handed over to Suki Foster. Today, the festival still runs, housing a share of the world’s most skilled producers and entertainers.

Presently, Franken is also working on the post-production of ‘Streets of Colour’ and has two other films and a TV series in the pipeline.

Yolandi Franken begins by sharing that time is a precious resource, and there will never be enough of it on a film set. You’re continually rushing and dealing with unexpected situations. For this reason, the time and focus you invest into development and pre-production is crucial. Make sure that you account for everything from the very start of the project and engage your heads of departments during the scripting stage so that they can highlight any possible concerns early on.

Yolandi Franken advises to practice. “Spend time really learning your craft, and get familiar with the roles of the rest of the team. Understand the story, and understand what your role is in telling that story. It is not about doing a project on an expensive budget.  Be smart and use the resources available to you. Around with various camera angles, areas, and edits. Sharpening your filmmaking abilities through shorts will be significant when you start shooting your first feature film,” she says.

Yolandi explains that story is everything. Any other flaws can be forgiven and overseen if the story is captivating and entertaining. When it comes to writing, make sure you really nut down the characters, the storyline, plotholes, and flow. Getting feedback from others can really help to shape your story, making sure it is appealing to an audience. Table reads can also be very valuable because sometimes something might work on paper but does not translate off the page. Get as many drafts as possible, but also know when to stop. There will always be notes and opinions, so when you see that the feedback coming your way is now mostly only opinion-based, it might be time to lock the script.

Yolandi Franken also advises all aspiring filmmakers to stay miles away from negative and toxic people. This is an industry full of rejection, which goes hand in hand with jealousy and negativity.    “You become the person you spend your time with. So you need to stay away from anybody in your life who drains your energy. Learn to distinguish between helpful, constructive criticism and hate speech. Surround yourself with people who build you up and support you, and do the same for them,” she says.

The Bottom Line

In the event that you follow the above steps, you’ll acquire skill and confidence, and this will set you on the pathway of producing your first ever feature film.

“With regards to making films, anything is possible. In any case, nothing is possible without action. Go out there and make your first film! It is not always easy, and it is a long journey, but a very rewarding one as such!” says Yolandi Franken.