Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome can be a debilitating experience that can hold us back from reaching our true potential and from making our documentary films.
Is this something that you are, or have in the past, experienced yourself?
Read on to discover some tips for working through and overcoming this non-productive mindset.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Definition: The persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills. |
Almost every documentary filmmaker we talk with is either experiencing some degree of imposter syndrome or has experienced imposter syndrome at some time in their career.
It is extremely common to lack self-confidence and have anxiety and doubts over your abilities and entitlement to call yourself a 'documentary filmmaker'. Even experienced documentary filmmakers can feel this way.
You may feel that you are not worthy of raising money for, or making money from, your film (more on this in the money mindset tutorial), that you don't have the correct or latest tools or equipment (which can be a diversionary tactic) or that you are not skilled or talented enough to make a film. There can be many self limiting beliefs that can infiltrate your mind and cast a shadow of doubt over you. If this is something you are battling with, then rest assured you are not alone.
Why You Need To Get On The Right Side of Imposter Syndrome
When you are operating and making decisions from a fear or anxiety based mentality you are not going to be making the most informed and advantageous choices. Unfortunately, this is exactly the place you are working from when you are experiencing imposter syndrome.
That is why it is so important to overcome it, to the best of your ability.
The longer that you perpetuate a negative or limiting line of thinking, such as, 'who am I to think that I am a doc filmmaker?', the less chance you have of actually seeing your documentary dreams come to fruition.
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
If imposter syndrome is something that you are contending with then rest assured, you can get over this! You can get over the self doubt and get back to what's important - making your documentary film! Here are 5 tips to help you overcome imposter syndrome:
1. Acknowledge That You Are Feeling That Way
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all way to overcome imposter syndrome, but acknowledging that you are feeling this way will go some way to helping you.
It can be easy to bury your feelings and concerns, but by acknowledging that you have uncertainties it will be easier to get to the root cause of why you are feeling the way you are and begin to resolve the subconscious issues and perspectives that you have cultivated.
This allows you to have more clarity on the reality of the situation and change your inner dialogue to something that is more based in fact, rather than misguided emotion.
2. Talk To Others, Especially Other Filmmakers Or Creatives
Sometimes it can seem as though everyone else has it together and we're the only ones who don't, but by talking to other filmmakers and creatives about how you feel you are very likely to enter a conversation of mutual understanding.
Even second, third, and ten time doc filmmakers have moments where they grapple with whether they are worthy of calling themselves 'doc filmmakers' - we still do it to this day - but we've all realized that it's just part and parcel of the process of this doc filmmaking thing.
Whenever we begin a new film project, we are initially very excited about our great new idea, but it's not unusual for that excitement to relatively quickly be replaced with self doubt. Where will we find the money to make this film? Will there even be an audience for it? Why are we the right people to tell this story? It happens to us all and working through it is the only thing you can do.
Knowing that you are not alone will hopefully go some way to helping you process these feelings and help ease you into a more reality-based and compassionate way of thinking.
Doc Filmmaker Perspective It was refreshing to hear what Alex Holmes, director of Maiden, had to say about imposter syndrome on TDL podcast episode #108: "I think that everybody who works in the creative industries has imposter syndrome to some degree or other. Everybody has it. I would also say to balance that, there is no such thing as an imposter in the world of documentaries. Everybody is entitled to tell stories. Everybody has what it takes to tell stories. There is nothing that entitles one person over another to tell a story." And I couldn't agree more. |
3. Know You Don't Have To Be Perfect
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome are great friends and often enjoy being in each others company. A documentary filmmaker, who is also a perfectionist, can find themselves having difficulty for several reasons:
1. Perfectionists often don't like to ask for help and documentary filmmaking involves collaboration and learning from those who have gone before.
2. Perfectionists want everything to be, well, perfect and documentary filmmaking is an evolutionary process of trial and error, navigating potential avenues and pivoting where necessary. Flexibility is way more important (and beneficial) than perfectionism.
3. Perfectionists can tend to either over-prepare or procrastinate. While we advocate for preparation, it shouldn't stop you moving forward with your project. And, just as with imposter syndrome, procrastination is a fear-based mindset. You need to determine - what are you afraid of?
You will not be a 'perfect' filmmaker or make a 'perfect' film, there is no such thing. But you can do your very best with the information, equipment and skill set that you have now and more forward with the clarity and confidence that you and your project deserve.
4. Celebrate Your Achievements
Give yourself some kudos for taking on such an endeavor as making a documentary film and forgive yourself when you make mistakes and learn from them so you don't make them again.
Whenever you start something new, and even later when you're more established, there will be new models and strategies of work to manoeuvre through, new technologies and equipment to learn and understand and new resources and opportunities that will present themselves. Having patience and celebrating your achievements as they unfold will go a long way to helping you appreciate what you have accomplished.
You are on a never-ending adventure of learning and growing as a documentary filmmaker. The industry will constantly be evolving with new technology, systems and formats, making us all apprentices at the mercy of our filmmaking endeavors. Enjoy the journey.
Not Everyone Is A Doc Filmmaker. But I am. And you are. Let me give you an example of my experience with imposter syndrome. This was many years ago, in fact, it was before I'd even gotten into documentary or the film/television industry. I had just finished up on my first digital feature film. It was back in 2001 when digital films were really starting to become a thing, when digital was democratizing the film world, making the whole thing a bit more affordable for a whole lot more people. I was at a screening event and I ran into Gus Van Sant, one of my film directing heroes, at the time. I nervously introduced myself, saying that I had just made my first-ever film, but then I quickly downplayed the whole thing by saying "yeah I know, no big deal, everyone is making a film these days." And he immediately stopped me and matter of factly replied, "That's not true. You shouldn't say that. Not everyone is making films. I don't know many people that are doing it. Making a film is a really really hard thing to do. And you just made one. So you should be congratulating yourself." I've never forgotten that. And here we are almost twenty years removed, and technology has really really made filmmaking a lot more affordable, and sure, more people are making documentary films, but nonetheless, what he said still applies today. Not everyone is making a doc film. And now I fully appreciate that. Doc filmmaking is still a very incredible and sacred thing. Not everyone is a doc filmmaker. But I am. And you are. |
5. Trust The Process
We truly believe that overcoming imposter syndrome in documentary filmmaking is, in large part, about trusting the process. Trusting that, if you continue to take steps forward in your film journey, steps taken no matter how small or big, each and every day - leaving self-doubt in your wake - then you are going to make your film and are simply going to meet your documentary filmmaking self along the way!
Self doubt may once again raise its head (and in all likelihood it will), but with each part of the journey and with each film you make, you will overcome it and move forward with your creative endeavors more confidently and assuredly, producing the best films you can with what you have, know and can share at the time.
Some books that may help you to further work through any imposter syndrome you may be feeling are:
Imposter Syndrome Remedy: Unleash the Power and Confidence to Embrace Your True Worth by Psychologist, Dr Emee Vida Estacio - This book will help you overcome and effectively deal with imposter syndrome through the PAME code, which stands for purpose, action, momentum and energy.
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It by Valerie Young - Although titled toward a female reader, this book can effectively build the confidence of and, consciously and positively, align the mindset of anyone who reads it.
Takeaways
Being struck by imposter syndrome is extremely common in creative industries, even more than you may realize.
Many filmmakers feel a sense of imposter syndrome, even the most experienced veterans around can be struck by it.
To be a creative is to put a piece of yourself out there into the world for all to critique and offer their opinion on. You have to find a way to let those people have their thoughts and criticisms and you remain true to what you are exploring, creating and sharing.
You can overcome imposter syndrome and part of that is being honest about how you are feeling. Speak to other filmmakers and creatives and it is likely you will find some commonality in the anxiety and self doubt you have felt.
Know that you don't have to be perfect (nobody is!), you are learning - along with the rest of us - and you will create the best piece of work based on what you have, feel and know right now.
Celebrate all that you achieve (including working through the Academy!) and trust that the process and journey you are on will teach you all that you need to know. Every project will deepen your knowledge and every life experience will enrich your perspective. Trust the process and you will build your confidence and skill set as you go.