Uncertain future

[Geoff]

I'm at an extremely confusing time in my life and can't seem to figure it out on my own, so after months of constant frustration of not being able to figure out my future, I decided to post my little problem on the forums in the hopes that I can get an opinion from a rational person.

I'm 20 years old and I just recently graduated college in September with a B.S in Film. My goal was to move to New York City and try to find work after college, but reality hit me, and I was forced to make the depressing move back home with my dad. Now I'm stuck in this situation where I'm dependent on my father for everything. Food, rent, water, transportation, etc. I really hate being dependent on my father for everything. It really drives me crazy, but I don't feel as I have much choice right now. I really want to get a job in the film industry, but there simply isnt any work out here. I've tried to explain this to my family, but its like talking to a brick wall. They keep hounding me to send out resumes to New York City and L.A and eventually something will hit, but I've tried to explain that the Film industry does not work this way, and that you really have to be there in person. I mean my teacher even told me not to waste my time sending out resumes because you will never land a job like that in this industry, but I do it to make them happy.

The past month I've put my dream on hold for now as I look for a part time job and I've bascially just been hanging out doing my other passion in life which is skateboarding. My dad has offered me a choice of working for him, the money is good, but its not a job I would be happy doing, but it would allow for comfortable living where I would be able to indulge in my other passion which is skateboarding, but this job has strings attached. It would take me a year or so to train to do what he does and than my dad would want to put me under a contract for a couple years, but the money from this job would put another dream of mine in to range.

I've always wanted a warehouse where I could build my own skatepark designed to my specifications where I could skate whenever I want. This has always been a crazy dream of mine and I've never really given it much thought untill now. I've looked at the pricing of warehouses and it's not impossible. I mean it would take a few years, but it could happen, but now Im at a crossroads. Do I take a full time job, save my money and split for an unknown future? Or do I take my fathers job, save my money and in a few years hopefully have enough money to build my skatepark? or atleast be financially stable.

[Thomas M. Miovas Jr.]

Sounds like you have a difficult decision to make, but you may first have to decide if you want to do film or if you want to skateboard. Maybe a B.S. in film simply isn't good enough. I have a B.A. in both philosophy and physics (double major) and I can't say they ever got me anything beyond the knowledge I gained. I didn't continue in physics because jobs are very scare in that field without getting at least a Ph.D. and post doc experience, which would have taken at least another ten years of school related work. Like you, I was eager to get out into the world and thought my B.A.s were good enough; and like you I had various people telling me to just send out resumes; and just like you they were turned down.

If you are really interested in film, then find out what it will take to get into that field, and then do it. But if you have to work almost full time to pay for more schooling, then you'll probably have to put skateboarding aside; unless you can find a way to film skateboarding and make money doing it while getting that experience.

Sometimes -- and maybe all of the time -- life is full of tough choices. However, I don't think I would take a contract job in your position, because that will really limit you should something open up in film.

The bottom line is that it is your choice, and don't let anyone deter you from living your dream. You may have to learn to do something else that you could love to do for money, but don't let anyone talk you out of your life's ambition just because it is difficult to get a start.

There has got to be other places you could get a start in film, since I'm sure NYC is not the only market, so check around.

[Juxtys]

Hello, Geoff

If I were you, I'd work for your dad to raise money for your warehouse. Once built, you could not only go skateboarding alone, but also invite some of your friends or charge money for entering. Anyway, that's my 2 suggestion sentences.

[K-Mac]

It sounds like you need to make some money before you do anything, so I would be tempted to take Dad's job offer, if I were you. Once you have some income, then you can save up for other things, whatever you decide they may be. You're only 20 years old, so you've got plenty of time to save some money, work on other projects, move where you need to go, etc.

I think you have to be realistic about the film industry too. I'm sure that's a very competitive industry and there's a chance you may never make it in that field. I think you should pursue your dreams realistically, but perhaps you should keep an open mind about other things you like to do and have a back up plan as well.

Maybe work for dad, save up money, open your skate park, let that make extra money for you on the side, move to NY or LA once you can afford it, etc. Also, who knows what other opportunities will come up the next several years? When I was your age, I was doing one thing, something unexpected came along and now I'm doing something completely different that I love.

[Myself]

The most important question to ask yourself is whether you really want to work in film.

If the answer is yes, than ask yourself how much? If you go to bed thinking and dreaming about it, wake up thinking about it, and can't get it out of your blood, then you'll make it work. But you're going to have to really want it that much. Otherwise you won't be able to make the sacrifices necessary to weather you through the difficult path you're going to have to follow.

If, after you've thought about it, you've decided that it's a real passion, you're right in thinking you'll have to go where the work is. Generally, LA is the center for film and New York is more television based, so if you have a choice, it should probably be LA. You'll have to find someplace to live, so finding a roommate would be a good idea. Call up people from your old school and see if they're out there and wouldn't mind splitting the rent.

I don't know exactly what you want to do in the film industry, but pretty much everything is hard to break in to. Most people who try, don't. The odds are enormous. But, if you're the sort of person who doesn't listen to the odds and keeps trying and stays determined, you'll make it. But remember, if this isn't a single-minded, life defining pursuit for you, you'd be better off finding something else.

Edit: I almost forgot to ask -- why is it that you have a BS in film? Doesn't BS stand for Bachelor of Science? Wouldn't a film degree normally be a BA?

Edited January 9, 2009 by Myself

[Geoff]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I definitely have a lot of thinking to do. I'm a bit worried about getting roped in to a contract which would prevent me from other opportunities that may spring up, but at the same time once I finish working for my father I can pretty much move any where in the country and have a job that I can fall back on. Which is very important in the Film industry given that finding steady work is almost impossible. Also as K-Mac brought up, its extremely difficult to get in and it may never happen.

In response to your question Myself. I went to a tech school where we focused more on the equipment and technical side of things. I'f I would have went to a traditional college I probably would have received a BA, but those kids just sit in a class room and talk about theory all day. I can figure that out on my own.

[K-Mac]

Have you talked to your dad about the contract concerns you have? Understandably, his company doesn't want to spend precious resources to train you, then have you walk away, but perhaps there's some room for negotiation?

[JMeganSnow]

DON'T LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU IT IS "HARD" TO GET "INTO" AN INDUSTRY!!!!!

Why? Because this is B.S. What they actually mean--and no one will tell you--is that there are a billion people all trying to wedge themselves into the obvious door, so the thing you need to do is make your own door.

This isn't necessarily a difficult thing to do, it's just that there are *no* guides or roadmaps. The only thing I've found to get started is that if you want to make films/write books/paint/whatever, get out there and start doing it. Get yourself a camera and start making some films, then find some way to put them out there where people can watch them. Don't try to get the job/find a publisher/find a client. MAKE STUFF. The job/publisher/client will find you once you start regularly circulating your work.

People keep telling me that I should look for a publisher for my novel, and my response is always "why do I need a publisher for a novel that doesn't fully exist yet?" Heck, once I've finished it there are dozens of ways I can get it out in the world.

All the really interesting people you'll ever meet got their position through a non-obvious door. So can the advice and the road maps and start doing things instead of planning what you're *going* to do if you ever find the time/money/inclination.

[brian0918]

But just to be safe... get a part-time job

[Geoff]

I've decided to turn down my fathers offer and look for a part time job (or several) and save my money. Hopefully I'll be able to get myself some equipment in the near future and begin work on my demo reel and website. Thanks everyone for your input.

[Greebo]

I've decided to turn down my fathers offer and look for a part time job (or several) and save my money. Hopefully I'll be able to get myself some equipment in the near future and begin work on my demo reel and website. Thanks everyone for your input.

Please keep us informed as to your progress. Good luck!

[prosperity]

DON'T LISTEN TO PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU IT IS "HARD" TO GET "INTO" AN INDUSTRY!!!!!

Why? Because this is B.S. What they actually mean--and no one will tell you--is that there are a billion people all trying to wedge themselves into the obvious door, so the thing you need to do is make your own door.

This isn't necessarily a difficult thing to do, it's just that there are *no* guides or roadmaps. The only thing I've found to get started is that if you want to make films/write books/paint/whatever, get out there and start doing it. Get yourself a camera and start making some films, then find some way to put them out there where people can watch them. Don't try to get the job/find a publisher/find a client. MAKE STUFF. The job/publisher/client will find you once you start regularly circulating your work.

People keep telling me that I should look for a publisher for my novel, and my response is always "why do I need a publisher for a novel that doesn't fully exist yet?" Heck, once I've finished it there are dozens of ways I can get it out in the world.

All the really interesting people you'll ever meet got their position through a non-obvious door. So can the advice and the road maps and start doing things instead of planning what you're *going* to do if you ever find the time/money/inclination.

I'll second that. One of the most famous authors in the world (and I believe the highest paid at the time) began as an uneducated factory worker. You might have heard of him, Jack London.

Aside from his socialist leanings, he has an incredible story...

As far as film goes, Quentin Tarantino learned his trade working as a video store clerk, not in film school...with the Internet and the technology available today and with social media sites like youtube, there are so many ways to accomplish what you want...it may (or may not) be difficult, but it is definitely not impossible.