Career Choice

[Jamaine]

Am thinking about going full time into Cinematography, cause that's where my passion is. what do you guys think good idea or bad idea!!!

[Alex H.]

I think it's a terrible idea. But then, I have no clue what the context is.

Do you have enough work available at this point that you can start building a full-time slate pretty quickly?
Have you amassed a respectable resume and reel?
Do you have enough subsidy to cover you for the next 6-12 months while you work to build this new career?
Do you have a fallback, or a "plan b", just in case?

Especially in this economy, employment is employment. Not that anyone ever got anywhere in this industry without taking risks, but this is a rough time in which to be jumping off. And again, just asking "should I do this" leaves out a whole lot of circumstantial information.

[AndrewGentle]

Was this decision motivated by the Academy Awards, by any chance?

[Doc Bernard]

I echo the questions Alex posed. I work in the industry "full-time", which means its my primary source of income. But it really is not full time, more like part time. And the wages are not great, despite having amazing entries on my resume.

Have a plan for other income, as I am always looking for supplemental income opportunities. I know a million ways to prepare Top Ramen now.

I applaud the dedication, but I would not jump blindly into it. It's a tough life, especially if you don't have a lot behind your name as a cinematographer.

[Batutta]

It's easier than starting out as a director only because usually you get to learn on someone else's dime (usually the director who's just starting out). I think the only part of the film industry where someone starting out can expect a reliable, full time income is in post production. Production work is almost always on a per gig basis.

[Sad Max]

It's risky, it's difficult, the competition on that field is intense beyond your ability to imagine, if you have not yet competed there. It's tough to get a break, tough to get noticed, tough to get ahead. The body of knowledge to absorb is vast and you will not completely absorb all of it, even if you have a long and successful career. You will face intrigue, backstabbing, personality conflicts, slander, libel and denigration of your knowledge, skills, artistry and parentage. You will be called upon to compromise your visions, your ambitions, and possibly even your ethics. You will be disappointed, screwed over, taken advantage of, and heartbroken. Frequently.

I recommend that you find some field, any field, other than film/tv production, to pursue.

Unless you can't be happy doing anything else. In which case...come on out.

[Allan Black]

It's much the same here. Tough if you eventually want a family or have school aged kids now.

When Steve Jobs said 'stay hungry stay foolish' I'm pretty sure he didn't meant literally.

Cheers.

[Sad Max]

When Steve Jobs said 'stay hungry stay foolish' I'm pretty sure he didn't meant literally.



I suspect that he did. YMMV.

[Kegan]

Nothing but words of wisdom come from Sad Max - take heed folks!

Kegan