Be the Train: The Mindset and Tools You Need to Make Your First Feature Film

by Selina Ringel

From an award-winning filmmaker who writes, produces, and stars in her own projects—an actionable, motivational guide to everything you need to know (and how you should think) about making your first feature film.

As an aspiring actress, Selina Ringel waited for years for her train to arrive. She did everything “by the book”—went to film school, attended endless casting calls, and searched for an agent. Then, instead of waiting to be chosen, she chose herself.

She realized she had to become the train—creating momentum by inspiring others to join her own projects. Regardless of where you are in your career, Selina will teach you how to bring your projects to life and will give you the most important tools that filmmakers need to

• The relentless mindset needed in creative industries

• How to get funding—and how to get things done without it

• How to build and steer the right team into the station

• How to find joy and fulfillment in the process

More than a traditional filmmaking manual, Be the Train is a powerful blend of real-life examples, practical advice, and a call to action for creatives to take control of their art. Stop waiting for permission—get your projects on track. All aboard!

Advance Praise for Be the Train

“If you’re feeling stuck and tired of waiting for everything to fall into place, Selina Ringel’s Be the Train is exactly what you need. Her compelling story will show you how to build unstoppable momentum and turn your dreams into reality. As an award-winning filmmaker who dared to do things her way, Selina offers practical tips and insights to help you take control of your future. Whether you’re making your first film, launching a new career, or getting ready to take charge of your life, Be the Train will ignite the fire within you to make it happen.”
—Mel Robbins, New York Times bestselling author and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast

“This book should be required reading at every film school. The cold email outreach chapter alone is worth the price of the book. But the real value is in the mindset she outlines. Inspiring. Motivational. Revolutionary. I’m on board the Selina train.”
—John Fithian, former CEO, National Association of Theatre Owners, and cofounder, The Fithian Group

“Selina is an undeniable force of nature. The advice she gives is invaluable for anyone who struggles with self-doubt or needs some practical guidance in this crazy industry. I wish I had read this book when I was starting out as a young filmmaker in Hollywood!”
—Amy Wang, writer of Crazy Rich Asians 2



“Even in my fourth decade as a professional filmmaker, I learned important essentials from Selina Ringel’s Be the Train. The specificity of her advice, earned from her own hard work, speaks volumes about subjects like making genuine contacts, finding an agent and/or manager, production, distribution, rejection, resilience, failing better, and so much more. If you’re looking for guidance, either as a rookie or as a refresher course for an old hand, this book is a must-read."
—Michael Miner, cowriter, Robocop; director, The Book of Stars; and lecturer, University of California, Santa Barbara

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2025

Reviews

[Surbhi Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an amazing book. I particularly loved chapter 14 - "Don't stop moving. Why perfection doesn't get you anywhere"

In this chapter Selina suggests that letting go of perfectionism is essential for moving forward. She tells that even your favourite movie isn't a perfect one. There's always something to learn and make better. So author advices to move beyond the obsession over perfection. Be kind to yourself and see value in whatever you create.

This wisdom was much needed to be shared.

[Dora Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selina Ringel’s Be the Train is more than just a book-it’s the kind of companion every creative dreams of but rarely finds. Her story of breaking through the industry by deciding to move instead of wait is both inspiring and disarmingly real. You feel her urgency, her grit, and her refusal to sit idle while the train of life rushes past. Her message is clear-if no one is coming to pick you up, become the train.

What resonated most was the book’s practicality. Selina doesn’t romanticize filmmaking, she gives you the mindset, the hacks, and the no-nonsense truths. This book doesn’t talk down to beginners or gloss over struggle. Instead, it pushes you toward action with encouragement that feels earned. It’s a voice I’ll come back to anytime I need reminding why I started creating in the first place.

Recommended for filmmakers, storytellers, and dreamers who need clarity, momentum, and a shot of creative courage-don’t miss this!

[Lahari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great guide for anyone who wants to make their first feature film. Selina Ringel talks about her own story of how she stopped waiting for others to help her and decided to take control & pursues her own dream. She shares how important our mindset is, how it us important to build a good team, and how to stay strong mentally & emotionally through the ups and downs of filmmaking. I loved her unapologetic honesty about making films without money and still making them so damn good. The chapter on cold outreach hit me like a secret weapon. This isn't just about film; it's about taking charge of your life. I finished the book not just inspired, but activated. I won't wait anymore. I am the train.What I liked most is how honest and real she is. This book literally makes you feel like if she can do it, so can you. Definitely leaves you motivated after reading.

[Aiden Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Be the Train felt like having a fiercely supportive mentor in the room. Selina Ringel brings a rare honesty to this guide, recounting her own experiences of rejection, doubt, and breakthrough with humility and humor. Her metaphor of being the train instead of waiting for one is the kind of mindset shift that sticks with you.

The beauty of this book is that it blends inspiration with structure. Whether she’s talking about building a team or pitching without a big budget, her advice is deeply actionable. It doesn’t matter if you’re making your first film or pivoting careers-this is about stepping into ownership of your path. And once you read it, you’ll want to share it with others chasing the same dream.

Recommended as an essential read for anyone tired of waiting for permission to create- just start. This book will show you how.

[Arish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selina Ringel's Be the Train transformed my perception of filmmaking. I used to think that producing a feature film depended entirely on luck and connections, until this-a-line of hers set off some fire in my brain: "Momentum isn't found. It's built." Mindset mastery through building a team without a big budget-every chapter gave me tools that I didn't even think I needed. But most of all, I felt so moved by how personal her journey was, like a friend pushing When I became interested in beginning to storyboard my first film. That says it all. It's not a teaching book-it's a transformational one.

[Nazia Sultana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for first-time filmmakers who need a mix of motivation and practical advice.

This book is a great guide for anyone who wants to make their first feature film. Selina Ringel talks about her own story of how she stopped waiting for others to help her and decided to take control & pursues her own dream. She shares how important our mindset is, how it us important to build a good team, and how to stay strong mentally & emotionally through the ups and downs of filmmaking.

What I liked most is how honest and real she is. This book literally makes you feel like if she can do it, so can you. Definitely leaves you motivated after reading.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a special type of magic in a book that not only inspires you, but really forces you to take action, and Be the Train truly delivers that magic. I acknowledged Selina's request on looking for your creative tribe instead of waiting for traditional approval. Personal stories, especially about being resourceful without any budget, were inspiring and telling. One of my favorite lines was about "being stubborn in the right direction", which I thought of every day since finishing the book. This did not taught me only strategies , it gave me the courage to believe that incomplete action is better than waiting forever.

[Melissa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are making your feature film, Be the Train by Selina Ringel is essential reading. The author gives solid advice in obtaining momentum and funding and forming a good team; all things you should do without waiting for permission. I enjoyed the candid and motivational tone of the book; Selina shares her own stories that really connect with you and inspire you. It is not just about the film field, but about taking control of your own creative career. The book is a complete toolbox full of tools and down-to-earth autobiographical examples that instill confidence in your ability to get your project off the ground.

[Sophiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter of this book is packed with real advice on how to start your train, stay on track, and finish the journey. (Train - journey towards your goals) You'll learn to be persistent, thoughtful, and strategic along the way.

Selina tells that making your first feature is a learning process. Making movies isn’t easy. But there’s nothing like seeing an idea blossom from nothing into a finished product that people can watch, relate to, and hopefully enjoy. And even if they hate it, there’s a weird kind of pleasure in knowing you made something that sparked strong feelings in others.

This book motivates you to take control of your dreams. You be the engine of your goals.

[Iqbal · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Chapter 2 of Be the Train, I already knew--this book was not about to gently steer me; rather, it was here to wake me up. Selina's words, "Don't wait to be chosen. Choose yourself whomever you want," cracked open years of creative hesitation within me. I loved her unapologetic honesty about making films without money and still making them so damn good. The chapter on cold outreach hit me like a secret weapon. This isn't just about film; it's about taking charge of your life. I finished the book not just inspired, but activated. I won't wait anymore. I am the train.

[MARIA · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was standing the most for me in Be the train was that Selina never pretended that success is a straight line. She wrote about dirty start, slow victory, and heart breakdown - everything that echoed deeply with my own creative conflicts. Her view is that you would have to build your speed instead of waiting for "break", like an permission slip that I did not know that I needed. I particularly loved how she really taught practical methods of network without feeling fake. By the time I changed the last page, I was not waiting for opportunities,I was churning how to make them myself.

[Marnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every chapter of Be the train introduced something that felt that it was written only for me. I loved flexibility about Selina's discussion, which was not about avoiding failure but falling forward. One part that was stuck outside, when she told how "slow progress still matters if you are advancing your own train." It changed how I think of my slow days. Her real -life examples felt everything accessible, not like a distant success stories. Practical advice for the creation of his network was also very helpful. Till the end, I rested, strong, and doubted and prepared to start construction.

[ANDREW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a full wake -up call for me. I loved honestly in Selina's words, especially when she talks about getting happiness even in small victory. There was a line about progress that was not always visible that I continue to think about. I appreciated how she not only told stories of success, but also talked about mistakes. Cold outreach tips were pure gold, and something I'm definitely going to try. Reading the train made me realize that the action is waiting every time. I prepared the book to feel brave and take risks.

[Rebecca Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the Train by Selina Ringel completely changed how I think about making movies. The book shows that filmmaking isn’t just about luck or connections—it’s about building momentum. I loved her approach of doing things without waiting for approval or a big budget. The book offers real advice on how to find the right team, how to stay motivated, and how to make things happen even when obstacles come your way. Selina’s personal story added so much value to the book, making it not just a guide, but a source of inspiration.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful!

Reading this book feels like talking to a college senior who has been there and done that & is now rooting for you. I simply loved Selina's belief that don't wait for the right opportunity, create it! She is a true leader who doesn't keep talking but shows how it's done! Like she not only discusses film-making but also how to make one without proper resources. Stop thinking & start doing is what she has motivated Me to do. After finishing the book, I felt motivated, but more importantly, I felt ready to actually start taking action.

[Jessica Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the Train by Selina Ringel is a fantastic read for anyone looking to break into filmmaking. Her personal story of building momentum and choosing herself is powerful. I loved how the book didn’t just teach filmmaking techniques but gave me the confidence to pursue my own creative projects. The chapter on building a team was especially helpful. Whether you’re on a budget or not, this book offers tools for making your dreams a reality. Selina’s motivational writing style makes this an easy yet inspiring read. Highly recommend!

[Jennifer Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a guide to filmmaking, and Be the Train by Selina Ringel exceeded my expectations. This book is full of practical advice on everything from getting funding to making films without a large budget. What really stood out to me was her emphasis on building momentum. She teaches you how to start creating instead of waiting for opportunities. It’s easy to get inspired by Selina’s story and her direct approach to filmmaking. If you want to take control of your creative path, this book is for you.

[Silva Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a personal reminder to stop waiting and just take action. Selina shares things in a very down-to-earth way—nothing felt too heavy or hard to understand. When she talked about being like a train and just moving forward no matter what, that clicked for me. It made me realize that I’ve been stuck in my head too much, waiting for the “right moment.” After reading that part, I felt like, okay, maybe I don’t need to have it all figured out. I just need to get started and that’s exactly what I needed! Highly recommend this book. Feeling very inspired.

[Sattaru Keerthana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the Train is a mentality shift rather than just filmmaking tips. It dispels the self-doubt and anxieties that most creatives experience. The harmony between theory and practical actions you can take immediately pleased me. A fantastic book that will motivate you to keep going when you want to give up. After finishing it, I had the impression that my first movie was a reality, not just a pipe dream!

[Keerthana · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I wasn't sure where to begin, but it really helped me figure things out. It's written in a very approachable manner, almost like a coach encouraging you. It demonstrates how to overcome the difficulties rather than sugarcoating them. Strongly suggested for anyone who wants to make a feature film! Every time you run into a creative block, you'll want to read this book again.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more than a filmmaking guide it’s a wake-up call for every creative who’s tired of waiting for a green light and ready to build their own tracks. The author writes with the fire of someone who’s lived every word on these pages. She doesn’t just offer advice but offers a mindset, a movement and a model for how to take your ideas from dream to done. Being a movie buff myself I really enjoyed reading it even if making a movie is far fetched for me, but you never know. I loved it.

[Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be the train is the kind of book you want to keep in your bag and whenever you get trapped, flip it. The way I explained the realities of rejection by Selina and how she used those experiences as stone stones. Her down-to-meaning advice on funding was enlightening, demonstrated that lack of money should not be a hindrance to creativity. Instead of waiting for someone else to talk to me, the concept of your own movement. I felt the book strong, inspired, and ready to start my way.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not have much relation with film production earlier, but the story spoke to me at many levels. Selina's advice about taking ownership of her dreams made me realize how many times I make excuses. A line that was stuck with me, "You don't need validation to start." Her cold-meal strategy gave me real, practical steps to apply in my career. It became impossible to keep her story down. After reading, I realized that the brave and myself was ready to trust myself a little more.

[Heather Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Be the Train by Selina Ringel was a game-changer for me. I’ve always wanted to make my own film but was held back by fear and self-doubt. Selina’s message that momentum is something you build, not find, really hit home for me. She gives amazing, actionable advice on how to get started without huge resources, and her honest take on how she made her own path was inspiring. This book is full of practical tips, especially for anyone looking to get into filmmaking but unsure where to start.

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Be the Train was exactly what I needed to take my filmmaking dreams seriously. Selina Ringel’s approach to filmmaking isn’t just about the technical aspects, but about mindset. Her story of how she stopped waiting for permission and took charge of her own projects inspired me. The advice on building a team and getting funding without a huge budget was invaluable. It’s a book that made me feel like I could actually make my first film, and now I’m ready to get started.

[Kimberly Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celina Ringel be the train is a great resource for anyone interested in filmmaking. His personal visit is inspiring, and it gave me the confidence to take charge of his creative projects. I really appreciated his down-to-meaning advice about achieving things without a big budget. The section of the construction of a team was particularly helpful. This book is inspiring and practical, and I am ready to make my film after reading it.

[Luke Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of giving a one-size-fits-all formula, Be the Train offers a real look at what it takes to make a film from scratch. Selina Ringel talks to you like a friend who’s been through it—someone who knows the ups and downs of independent filmmaking. Her personal experiences, practical tips, and uplifting tone made me believe I could start too. You don’t need to be famous or rich. You just need to move.

[Grayson Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Momentum isn’t found. It’s built. That line from Be the Train stayed with me long after I finished reading. Selina’s journey gave me permission to take charge of my creative goals, without worrying about having the perfect budget or connections. I now see filmmaking as something I can begin today, not someday. Her advice on team-building and outreach was especially helpful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs that extra push.

[Caleb Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me most in Be the Train was the mindset shift Selina Ringel encourages. Instead of waiting around for approval or funding, she shows how to build your own path forward with clarity and confidence. Her story is relatable, especially for someone like me starting with zero connections and no budget. The advice about cold outreach and building a reliable team felt like a roadmap. I closed the book not only inspired but equipped with tools to take action right away.

[Annumalika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking charge of your own life

Selina Ringel, the author of this book and an award winning Mexican - American filmmaker teaches about how to bring our stories to life with or without the help of others. We are always waiting for the right time but what if we created the right time?. Train in this book is just a metaphor for time guiding you to seize opportunities. A transformational read you didn't know you needed.