5 Tips to Tackle that Passion Project

While all creative endeavors have their challenges, passion projects can be particularly tricky to bring across the finish line. From budget and bandwidth to logistics and personal motivation, there’s a lot to juggle – and justify, since these projects are usually self-funded and self-produced.

Are you struggling to bring a big idea to life? Pick up some tips to tackle that passion project from two very talented DPs (and friends of the Cove), Jason Joseffer and Ben Casias. And don’t forget to check out Kraken Cove’s own recent passion project, a PSA that celebrates shelter dogs!

Finding the Passion

Before we dive in, it’s worth pausing a moment to ask: What exactly is a passion project? And how does it differ from something filmed on spec?

“I’ve heard passion projects described as something you not only feel compelled to share with an audience, but need to. Something that pulls at you and would leave a feeling of unbalance if never realized,” says Jason, who is putting the finishing touches on his own passion project, a short film called Fruit into Vegetables. Set in the early 90s during the AIDS crisis, it tells the story of a boy who shares a distasteful joke with his father, sparking an unexpected and gut-wrenching conversation.

While his hope is to tell a sensitive story in an interesting way, the experience also really challenged his filmmaking skills. Not only does it feature a delicate topic, but also the film takes place on water during winter, with the primary actors in a canoe - one of which is a child.

For Ben, who just wrapped up a spec commercial for a tequila brand, that’s the crux of a passion project – to learn and push your own abilities. Specs do this as well, he says, and can be seen as “client-driven” passion projects. There are more parameters with a spec, since you’re hoping a brand or company will get on board, but you’re still passionate about the project and showing your skills.

“I believe that if you don’t know your own limitations, then you’ll never grow as a filmmaker,” says Ben, which is why he feels passion projects are critical. 

Whether it’s a short film, spec commercial or shelter pet PSA, the process helps you determine where those personal limits are, so you can push past them and achieve new goals.

Now that you understand what a passion project is, let’s dig into how you can bring it to life.

Tip #1 - Work Your Network

For those of us here in the Bay Area, it’s pretty easy to find folks who are excited to work on creative projects. But no matter where you live, there are always people eager to get involved.

Tap into your local network, and lean on those people you already know and work with. Both Jason and Ben stress the importance of surrounding yourself with friends and professionals who will lift you up – and help you finish what you started.

“It’s also helpful to take a step back and look at the resources around you,” adds Jason, who sold old camera gear to help fund his film. “I reached out to cinema manufacturers for sponsorship and am grateful a couple helped me out. Leica liked my film and supported me with a beautiful set of prime lenses.”

Remember, there’s no harm in asking for help (as long as you’re polite and respectful). Worst thing, someone says no; best thing, you get a free rental or free color pass. Just keep track of who you’re asking for what, so you can show appreciation and pay it forward.

Tip #2 - Make New Friends

“Find somebody you’ve never worked with before and work with them,” says Ben. “Hire your friends, but then hire one stranger.”

He suggests reaching out on social media or making the most of a mutual connection. Tell them you like their work, and see if they’d be interested in helping out with your passion project. Most people will say no thanks, but eventually, you’ll find someone who wants to participate.

“Those are the most valuable people you will ever meet in your life,” says Ben. “Anyone who’s willing to just go out and get something done -- those people will stay with you for your entire career. They’re passionate, and they care about what they do.”

Tip #3 - Keep Learning

One of the main benefits of bringing new people into your community is the opportunity to learn new things from them. This is a huge industry, chock full of technology, equipment, tools and endless forms of creative expression. Push yourself to step outside your comfort zone.

“Whatever you think you know, you’re gonna know more tomorrow,” says Ben. “So, if you think you’ve had and learned every lesson, then ask yourself two simple questions: What did I learn today? What could I learn tomorrow?”

And remember, breaking rules (and sometimes equipment) is key to learning. “This is a passion project, so let’s learn why the rule exists,” Ben says. “Let’s break all the rules. And then just keep going. Play around, let the lessons teach you.”

Tip #4 - Go With The Flow

Even when breaking all the rules isn’t an option, it’s important to embrace a certain amount of uncertainty. “I have a background in woodworking and a woodworker once told me: ‘The wood will show you the way,’” says Jason.

“At first, I didn’t grasp what he was saying, but it later became clear. All of the wood’s imperfections end up being its beauty, and motivate choices for cuts and the ultimate design of the piece. The same is true for filmmaking. Take all the imperfections and make them your assets. Let the hurdles guide you and roll with it. The film will take form and present itself to you.”

Problems are going to arise; it’s inevitable. It’s what you do with them that matters. “Whatever problem you have, lean into it,” adds Ben. “If you can’t fix the problem, make the problem your solution.”

And most importantly? Don’t let it stifle your motivation!

Jason battled one of the wettest winters in a century, turning his two-weekend shoot into a production schedule that lasted over 3 months. “I learned that filmmaking is truly a lesson in perseverance,” he says. “Just keep pushing forward.”

TIP #5 - Have Fun!

It may seem obvious, but if you really want to tackle a passion project – and see it through to the end – you have to enjoy it.

“The reason why we’re passionate about things is because we care and if we stop caring, then nobody cares,” says Ben. “So, enjoy yourself, make new friends and learn from everybody. Help your friends so they will help you. Meet new people so they will teach you what you don’t know. Meet new people and teach them what you know. Help people and pay it forward. And that, I guarantee, is your success story in 20 years.”