Do filmmakers need math?

[Maura N.]

If you are considering a career in filmmaking, you may be wondering if math is required. While math can be a deal breaker for some, the answer is not necessarily straightforward. It depends on the specific area of filmmaking you are interested in.

Depending on the area of filmmaking you wish to pursue, knowledge of math may or may not be necessary. For instance, it helps to have an idea about how to calculate angles, and estimate costs and colour theory can be helpful. However, you can use modern technology to make up for any gaps in your math skills.

Do you need math in the filmmaking area that you are working on?

 

[FredGinsburg]

You should be comfortable with basic math and algebra, because you need to work with financial numbers all of the time. Filmmaking is a business, not just an art. Also, dealing with frame rates, memory, optics, and so on -- all require being able to do snap calculations in your head, or at the very least knowing what numbers to punch into your handheld device. I knew a top notch post-production person who was an artistic genius, but always went way over the allotted budget because he did not pay attention to numbers. Needless to say, his company closed its doors and went bankrupt.

 

[imagineering]

i totally flopped in school. especially in math. so before i answer this question i would like you to watch a short i made so you can see things from my perspective. https://rumble.com/vdq9cd-soul-the-guardian-of-dreams.html
the film making process is an art and a craft. what you need foremost is a passion to tell your stories. if you have that and you are determined you can make films on micro budgets. determination will teach you everything you need to know in the process youtube and rumble will help you with many very good tutorials. if you like i will leave you some links.
so now you have gone through a learning process and you have become a good filmmaker. if you are happy just to make films and tell your story you have reached your goal...unfortunately now i have to agree with the threat posted before me. filming is an expensive hobby and if you want to make any money you have to think about the business side. this is where most creative people fall short. including me.
all i can advise is to use platforms like youtube and rumble. film festivals are also a possibility but they are on the way out and for a good reason. most of them charge entry fees without the guaranty of entry and they also restricted the filmmakers creativity. there are also commercial competitions. i made and entered this 1 minute short into a pepsi competiton
https://rumble.com/vdqabr-new-chance.html
it reached the final 16 world wide but didn't win a prize. that means i spend money and time for nothing. so i wouldn't recommend competitions unless they provide the money to make the film. or at least part of it.
here are some tutorial links i promised
https://rumble.com/v2lrgbw-film-props-fake-rocks-and-miniature-film-sets.html
https://rumble.com/v1rm6va-making-fake-rocks.html
https://rumble.com/v1tz9to-making-rocks-roll.html
https://rumble.com/v1vlbl2-tombstone-made-from-cardboard-on-a-micro-budget-for-film.html
https://rumble.com/v1x7m86-making-an-old-weathered-tombstone-from-cardboard.html
https://rumble.com/v1tyjww-making-fog-smoke-from-dry-ice.html
https://rumble.com/v1zbr94-making-a-sandstone-bridge-from-polystyrene-and-cardboard.html

this should give you a good start but there are many more on youtube. i post on youtube and rumble because rumble monetizes straight away and they pay more.

 

[sedohrman13]

I'm not so sure about math, but meth has been very helpful.

(I know, not so funny) ...but there is an old saying, "hire your weakness" or in the case of new or young filmmakers, bring on someone who knows math or at least how to plug things into a spreadsheet. As Fred above said, this is ultimately a business, meaning at some the revenue you generate is more than the money you spend. Even Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg answer to the numbers gods at some point.