The Movement
Be The Train is a creative accelerator for filmmakers and storytellers who are done asking for permission — and ready to build careers that move.
“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.”
“The path forward isn’t finding a gatekeeper. It’s becoming the engine yourself.”
“Dan and Selina have consistently pushed the boundaries of independent filmmaking, audience building and creator entrepreneurship with a healthy dose of hustle.”
“Even in my fourth decade as a professional filmmaker, I learned important essentials from Be The Train.”
“Selina is an undeniable force of nature. I wish I had read this book when I was starting out as a young filmmaker in Hollywood.”
“A bold, no-nonsense guide for anyone ready to stop waiting and start building their success.”
“Informative, inspiring and frequently hilarious. A must-read for any creative soul chasing a dream and eager to start driving their own train.”
“I’m only halfway through but I feel inspired enough to do my own indie feature.”
“A masterclass in modern creative entrepreneurship. Required reading for anyone who refuses to wait their turn.”
The train doesn't wait.Neither should you.
Be The Train is a creator ecosystem for filmmakers and storytellers who are done asking for permission — and ready to build careers that move.
No permission required.
250+
Theaters Nationwide
Starz & HBO
Distribution Deals
20+ Awards
Independent Films
Creator-Built
Built by Operators
As Featured In
The People Behind The Movement
Meet the filmmakers
behind Be The Train.
After years of building films, businesses, books, and community together, Dan and Selina realized the biggest obstacle facing creators wasn't talent — it was waiting. Be The Train was built to help creators build momentum, ownership, and careers that move.
Watch · 2 min
Just LaunchedThe New Book
Start The Engine.
The creator manifesto for a world that no longer works the way it used to.
Filmmakers. Creators. Entrepreneurs. Community builders. The walls between them have collapsed. Start The Engine is the field guide for navigating the new creator era — and building a life around your work.
Selina Ringel & Dan Levy Dagerman · Digital edition · Instant access
Start Here
Featured Resources
The Manifesto
NEWStart The Engine
The creator manifesto. Stop waiting. Start building.
ExploreThe Book
Be The Train
The foundational book — mindset and tools to make your first feature.
ExploreCase Study
You, Me & Her
How we launched a film into 250+ theaters without a distributor.
ExploreThe Podcast
Be The Train Podcast
Conversations with creators who refuse to wait for permission.
ExploreThe Philosophy
Stop waiting at the station.
Be the train.
For years, filmmaker Selina Ringel followed the traditional path — film school, auditions, industry gatekeepers — waiting for opportunities to arrive.
They didn't.
So she built her own train.
She began writing, producing, and starring in her own films, creating momentum from the ground up. That mindset became Be The Train, a philosophy for creators who refuse to wait for permission.
Today, Be The Train has grown beyond a book into a growing ecosystem where creators build momentum together.
Who This Is For
Built for creators at any stage who are ready to move.
For anyone with a dream.
For anyone who has imagined writing a book, starting a podcast, creating a short, building a web series, or making a film.
For people who want to bring the message they care about into the world — and discover themselves along the way.
For creators ready to stop waiting — and start building.
Filmmakers · Writers · Podcasters · Creators · Entrepreneurs · Storytellers
What People Are Saying
What People Are Saying
“Selina Ringel made my transition from screenwriter to screen director a wondrous and enlightening experience! Daily problems became daily solutions thanks to Selina Ringel. Thank you!”
Salvador Paskowitz
Writer | The Age of Adaline
“I called Selina with the crazy idea of producing a movie based on a true story with no prior experience. I learned everything from fundraising, script ideation, casting and more next to her! Selina truly puts her heart and soul into her work. She gives you everything she's got when she gets into a project. I am humbled to have worked with someone of such high integrity and so committed to my success. A truly great creative consultant but so much more.”
Victoire Cogevina
Producer & Founder
“Trusting Selina with guiding advice for a project was easy as she has so much experience and knowledge of the film industry. Not only is she fun and creative, but a pleasure to collaborate with. Selina has helped propel my projects to a higher level. She even gave me advice that helped me cut my budget in half and saved me a lot of time. Will use her expertise every time, highly recommend!”
Crystal Schainuck
Show Host & Content Creator
“Selina's notes on my screenplay provided me with great insights on how to tackle the next draft, which was infinitely better than the previous one. The screenplay then went on to make the semi-finals in the Blue Cat Screenplay Competition and is now in the finals, it is also now being optioned by a production company. I am extremely grateful for Selina's guidance.”
Alec James
Comedian & Screenwriter
“The fact that Selina Ringel was able to turn my small $10k budget into a fully produced half hour pilot presentation with a full-blown crew is nothing short of a miracle!”
Justin D.M. Palmer
Producer
“Professional, creative and fun to work with!!!”
Mireya Rios
TikToker & Content Creator
“When I got to L.A. I was faced with many challenges as I pursued my career in acting. The biggest one being that you needed a reel to get a job, but how would you have a reel if you hadn't worked before! Selina showed me that I had all the tools I needed to create my own content, and therefore my own path. Not only did she guide me through the entire process, we ended up winning international awards with the amazing content we created!”
Ivana De Maria
Actress & Producer
“Selina worked night and day to ensure the vision for the story came alive.”
Abi Corbin
Director
“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
Director, Slanted | Writer, Crazy Rich Asians 2
“Be the Train is a bold, no-nonsense guide for anyone ready to stop waiting and start building their success. If you're ready to stop waiting for opportunities and start making them, this book is for you.”
Diana Luna
Executive Director, NALIP
“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
#1 NYT Bestselling Author & Host of The Mel Robbins Podcast
Creator Lab
The Creator Lab
The Creator Lab is Be The Train's project accelerator. Over several weeks, filmmakers work through the Be The Train methodology to develop their next project and build the materials needed to move it forward.
Participants develop:
- A clearly defined project concept
- A pitch deck and development materials
- A production roadmap
- A network of collaborators who move
The Book
The Mindset and Tools You Need to Make Your First Feature Film
Be The Train began as a book by filmmaker Selina Ringel — a practical guide to launching your first film and building momentum as a creator.
Drawing from her experience writing, producing, and starring in her own projects, Selina shares the mindset and tools that helped her stop waiting and start building.
Get the Book
The Founders
About Selina & Dan
Selina Ringel and Dan Levy Dagerman are the founders of Be The Train — filmmakers and operators who built their careers by creating their own opportunities.
Their most recent feature You, Me & Her released in 250+ theaters nationwide and sold to STARZ and HBO Max.
Read full bioEvery career starts with a decision to move.
Be The Train is where that movement begins.
Not sure where to start? Book a call with Selina first →