One of the biggest pieces of advice that I can give to anyone is that it is much wiser to go and make a film simply because you want to make it. Don’t stoop down to dumbing down your story or the source material simply to appeal to the Brony fandom.

With that said though, you need to have a great deal of knowledge on how filmmaking works. Simply being a good leader of a team does not make you a good director. Understanding how everyone’s job on the project works will help you get your vision out there better. But you need to know how the process of making a film goes.

Also, the best types of stories are the ones that introduce something familiar but thought-provoking at the same time. Everything in your story needs to have a point. Why are the characters going on this quest? What is the purpose of them doing so? What do they learn from this experience?

Also, do not try to rush your product out the door. I see too many projects in the community that feel that they have to get their films out the door by Summer next year. In actuality, those projects are not going to last. Being ambitious is one thing, but you need to be practical too. Films take years to make. They don’t get made overnight.

Often times, you’re going to find yourself in the development stage for years because you want to make sure that your story is just right. It takes several drafts to get a story perfectly tuned. Take your time with your project, but most importantly… actually give two shits about the story you’re trying to tell and have a LOT of patience.