Most people wait.
They wait for the perfect opportunity.
They wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder and say, “You’re ready.”
They wait for validation from the industry gatekeepers.
Crystal Lowe doesn’t wait.
She makes things happen.
She’s an actor-turned-director who went from starring in Hallmark films to directing them. And if you think it was because someone handed her a golden ticket, think again.
She built her career through sheer determination, relentless learning, and a willingness to jump into the deep end before she felt "ready." And in doing so, she’s paved a roadmap that any aspiring filmmaker can follow.
1. You Have to Create Your Own Momentum
Crystal didn’t start directing because someone gave her permission.
She started because she wanted to make films. And rather than waiting for a studio to hire her, she picked up a camera and started making short films.
She Googled how to write a business plan.
She applied for grants without any formal education.
She put together a team and just started.
Waiting gets you nowhere. Action creates opportunities.
Practical Steps to Build Momentum as an Indie Filmmaker:
Start Small: A short film, a scene, or even a concept trailer—just start filming.
Find Your People: Filmmaking is collaborative. Work with people who share your passion.
Apply for Grants & Crowdfunding: Funding exists for independent filmmakers; you just have to seek it out.
Leverage Social Media: Start sharing your filmmaking journey online to build an audience.
Your career moves at the speed of your execution.
What are you waiting for?
2. You’re Building a Crew, Not Just a Film
The best filmmakers don’t work alone.
Scorsese has his people. Tarantino has his people. Nolan has his people.
Crystal’s advice? Build your own.
Look around. The people you’re working with now are the ones you’ll grow with. Stop chasing industry veterans who have no incentive to help you. Instead, find your own tribe and rise together.
How to Build Your Filmmaking Tribe:
Start Local: Attend local film meetups, workshops, and screenings.
Network Through Projects: Work on indie sets—even for free at first—to build connections.
Collaborate & Trade Skills: If you’re a writer, partner with a cinematographer or editor.
Create a Portfolio Together: Develop a series of projects that showcase each crew member’s strengths.
Filmmaking is a long game, and success comes from the relationships you build. Find the people who will push you forward.
Who are your people?
3. Your Job Is to Make the Audience Feel Something
At the end of the day, no one cares how many technical rules you followed.
They care about how your film made them feel.
Crystal’s approach to directing? Emotion first. Story first. The audience experience is everything.
That’s why people connect with Hallmark films. That’s why people rewatch their favorite rom-coms. That’s why some of the most successful movies have massive logic holes—but no one notices, because the emotional payoff is there.
How to Prioritize Emotion in Your Films:
Character-Driven Storytelling: The audience must care about the protagonist’s journey.
Powerful Visuals: Use colour, lighting, and framing to evoke specific emotions.
Sound & Music: A well-placed score can transform an average scene into a memorable one.
Pacing & Editing: Build tension and release at the right moments to maximize impact.
Your job as a filmmaker isn’t to get everything perfect.
It’s to tell a story that sticks.
What’s the emotional core of your next project?
4. Screw Perfection—Fail Faster
Crystal’s biggest piece of advice for filmmakers? Be okay with sucking.
The fastest way to improve is to do.
Make something. Show it to people. Learn what works. Repeat.
Your first film will suck. So will your second. Probably your third too.
But if you keep going, one day, someone will look at your work and say, “Damn. That’s incredible.”
Why Failing Faster Leads to Success:
You Learn by Doing: No film school or theory will teach you like real-world experience.
You’ll Develop Your Style: Every filmmaker refines their voice through trial and error.
You Build Resilience: Overcoming failure is what separates filmmakers from film dreamers.
Your Work Will Improve Rapidly: Each project you complete will be better than the last.
Imperfect films that exist are better than perfect films that never get made.
5. The “No One is Going to Save You” Mindset
Crystal’s journey wasn’t easy. No one handed her a career in directing—she built it through action, persistence, and an unwavering belief in herself.
And that’s the real lesson here.
No studio, producer, or investor is going to show up and hand you your dream project.
No one is coming to save you.
If you want to be a filmmaker, act like one.
Start making films, no matter how small.
Build a team and grow together.
Focus on the audience experience.
Fail, learn, repeat.
Keep pushing forward, even when no one is watching.
This industry rewards persistence, not perfection.
So stop waiting.
Start filming.
Final Thought: What’s Stopping You?
Crystal didn’t wait for Hallmark to hand her a directing gig.
She proved she was a director long before anyone gave her the title.
You don’t need permission to start making films. You need a camera, a team, and the willingness to suck before you get good.
So ask yourself: What’s stopping you from making your next film right now?
Your move.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode with Crystal Lowe here: Off The Lot Podcast – The Indie Hustle of Hallmark
Missing anything that you want to see? Let me know.
Cheers,
Anthony (He/Him)
P.S. Love these emails? Buy me a coffee to say "thanks"!
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Upcoming Projects
"The Quiet Canadians", a feature movie about skilled Canadian operatives who are trained in the elimination of local and foreign targets, is in development. Click here for more information
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See more of our projects in development by checking out our website.
Behind the scenes
As we prep for our next projects, we are sharing some of the highs (and lows) of trying to bring everything together.
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