I just quit my job....

D

Dangitskang

Active member
I just quit my job. Actually I just gave them the two week notice but now, I'm starting to get this mixed feelings about my decision.

I work for a credit card processing company as a customer service rep. No I'm not a telemarketer. I do not make calls, the calls come to me. In other words, I get paid to get cussed out. Not a fun job but I found that I have become quite proficient in the art of cursing. But I digress. I work 51+ hours a week along with full time school (12 units). The pay wasn't too good but it was consistent. I was planning on saving the money up to buy a cam and all them other goodies that I keep on reading about here at DVXuser.com.

But I couldn't take it anymore. I don't want to hear another complaint about their credit card machines not working. I hated working 12hour days and then following up with school afterwards. I hated sitting in front of my computer trying to write a script but couldn't cuz I was burned out. I was tired of doing something that had NOTHING to do with filmmaking. So I put in my two week notice today.

Now I'm sitting here wondering what the heck did I just do. I feel refreshed and happy because now I have the time to not only make films but also to expand and hone my filmmaking skills. At the same time, I have constant voice in my head, "You idiot...money doesn't grow on trees". Yes, I am 20, I was actually planning on going to transfer colleges (currently at SMC) for business so that I can learn the business aspect of filmmaking. (from what I'm reading here, its the experience and the skills that count, not the lil piece of paper that says that you graduated as a film student)

But now what? Where do I go from here? What do I do now? I should have found a job before I quit (and I know I'm an idiot for not doing that...but getting cussed out everyday really drives you nuts after a while)

For now...I guess I plan on sticking with devoting my all to filmmaking and probably hitting up a couple of part time jobs (most likely @ apple...50% employee discount on softwares...gonna use it to buy new Final Cut and some new hardware) Are there any other good ideas? I don't really know where this post is going but...after spending countless hours (about 6-8 hours a day since I joined) on DVXuser.com I thought you guys who are already in the business could give me some words of wisdom....or some criticism.

PS sorry for the long post...I'm working a 6am to 9pm shift today (15hours) so I'm kinda losing it by now.

PSS If any of you guys are making any shorts whatsoever, PM me...I'm willing to help out...always willing to learn more and more stuff
 
Do you still live at home or have you moved out? I know what you mean by hating your job. I'm about to switch careers real soon (I'm a computer programmer / web developer). What have you done film-wise?
 
i'm about to quit my job too so it's kind of refreshing seeing i'm not the only one. how long do i have to wait for the government to start sending me welfare checks?
 
I did the same thing two years ago. I was scared shitless. I was 58. It was the best decision of my life. I'm still alive. (and having a great time). Good Luck
 
I just did the same thing a few weeks ago. Was working for a medical software company for 5 years for sucky pay and I finally couldn't take it anymore. They would manage by fear, always putting in that you-better-finish-in-time-or-else-your-fired on every project for everyone that worked there. This last project I was like so fire me but of course it was an empty threat because they kept calling me asking where the hell I was. Then they called me in to "work things out" offering me part time work with full benefits but less pay. I was like, less pay? Hell no. Why would I do that?
So I have been doing the hustle on my own. Its scary but I'm not looking back. I'm 41 and wished I did this years ago. Yesterday I met a pretty well known celebrity during a shoot and she hired us for another gig and wants to keep working with us. I never would have had the oppertunity sitting behind a desk.
 
I worked for various video production companies/entities from 1987 to 2000. I've been on my own since. The last 'full time' job I had was for a software company creating training videos for their customers. I had caught up with all of their releases when they had losses and made major layoffs of which I was one. It was the first time I had been let go in my professional life and I wasn't sure what my next move would be as I had a pretty sweet salary/401K set up there.

I was able to finance two video cameras and an NLE set up and have been on my own since. There are times when I'm busier than I want to be and other times when I'm wondering when my next gig will be. Or, as my Dad says, "Chicken one day - feathers the next.". All in all, I'm happy knowing that I'm "available" to take any gig that might come along.

Cheers to us brave enough to venture out on our own. :beer:
 
I worked in a steel fabrication comany for 10 years i did my music on the side really couldnt take it as seriously as i wanted to I made great money $22.60 an hour but I worked 65 hours a week. I broke my arm one day and I sat in the hospital for 4 days no calls or any sign of " I wonder how Mike is doing " at all. I was off two months for my arm with no thought of going back to work and in that two months I grinded hard with my music and now three years later ( I've sold over 30 tracks to major recording artist, a gold plaque, three magazine articles and I just purchase my first home. ) SO IF YOU QUIT YOUR JOB AND YOU ARE GOING TO PUT THE EFFORT INTO YOUR CRAFT YOU WILL BE SUCESSFULL TRUST ME! JUST LOOK AT IT THIS WAY THAT COMPANY DIDNT DESERVE YOU ANYWAY. EVERYDAY I WAKE UP I ASK MYSELF "HOW MUCH IS YOUR MIND WORTH " IN THE BATHROOM MIRROR , THEN I GET DRESSED AND GO AND CHASE THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK.
 
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I'm new to this board - only my second post.
I just got laid off from Air Canada after 19 years.
I've been getting "hobby" work with my Panny GS-400 as a side line for the last little while. Weddings training videos etc.
Now I've got the freedom to dive in head first. Just bought my DVX and am going to commit full time to what I've always wanted to do.
I'm now 44, I wish I would have had the wisdom to follow the dream at your age.
Best of luck to you. If you have the passion the drive and the love of it. It will come to you - don't worry :)
 
Thats a great inspirational story Mike. I get up in the morning and look in the mirror and ask "What the hell is that wrinkle from?" I'm going to change it up now. :)
 
Aram Bauman said:
Thats a great inspirational story Mike. I get up in the morning and look in the mirror and ask "What the hell is that wrinkle from?" I'm going to change it up now. :)
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LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL :thumbsup: THATS FUNNY!
 
Wow, all of these stories are inspirational. So what did you guys have before you quit? How much money in the bank, gear, etc? My job right now pays 29 / hour so I'm planning on getting a 2nd DVX (the guy I'm going to be starting the production company has one), some lights, a studio monitor, and other stuff plus I want to have about 10k in the bank, about 10k in credit cards, and no bills (except for rent / internet / utilities)...

PS. I'm scared s**tless :)
 
I worked a grocery store at senior journeyman pay, quit that to start my own recording studio. Had no money in the bank and a butt-load of dept but a ton of passion. The studio did well but there were times when I worked odd jobs to pay the bills. After 7 years decided to take a break from full time music and took a well paying job in an office- after 8 years of that hell I realized the pay wasn't worth and money isn't everything, gave notice and decided to take a year off to travel around the states on my motorcycle.
Luckily I kept the studio going part time so I'd have something to generate income when really needed, and now I've branched out into video so hopefully that will be able to add to the bank account eventually. And if it doesn't, I'm still having the time-of-my-life.
What I've learned is that if you work hard and are resourceful you always get by on your own.

There's my story.......
DDP :beer:
 
I think even if you want to be a filmmaker, getting the business degree you mentioned is a very smart move. It is probably the most important part of your post, Certainly more important than a job that will eventually poison you from the sound of it.

20 years old, you get to make mistakes and incur a little debt. Don't worry about it. Make your films, get an education and take a bunch of different jobs.
 
Thanks guys, your stories really cheered me up.

Tommy - Yes...I still do live at home because its cheaper that way. Although I do give my parents rent. I don't have to but I sort of force them to take it...In terms of experience with films...I have no professional experience. I did make a couple shorts a while ago before I started working but that was before I found this site. I look back at it now and it hurts me so much to watch it. I sort of go into denial mode and that saying where "Even the ugliest babies are beautiful in their parents eyes"...Doesn't apply here. No composition, my camera man who was obviously inexperienced loved that lil zoom button, and so forth.

Anyways, Thanks guys for all your stories. I will keep all of your stories in mind as I do everything and anything possible in order reach my goals. Hopefully I don't have to resort to going to Alaska for crab fishing in order to fund my films.
 
Have you thought about doing temp work?

I graduated in 2005 and until recently was going mad trying to get a job, but the problems was I was over qualified for lower end jobs, yet lacked experience for my level of work.

So recently on advice I started temping, its going great, I've just finished as of today my 3rd job, and next week I'll be working on for two different companies, then the next week another company.

Yes the work is unpredictable, but its cool because, in the meantime my "Experience" is building fast, I'm working all over the place, and meeting some real cool people.

On top of that I have my family business (the stable part of my life).

Then to top it off, I'm freelancing my programming and 3d services.

Finally......... I'm off to Uni in September for my Masters yay! (then PhD, double yay)

And if I have time I'm chasing my dreams of filmmaking....

So never, ever give up, work your heart out, be good with people, and one day you will get there.
 
I was working for a small cable network, editing promos, getting paid well, but bored out of my skull. I was dragging work I could do in a day out to a week and feeling my life slip away. At the same time, I started getting more and more freelance work on the side, to the point where I had to start turning stuff down. Then I did the math and realized if I did freelance full time I could earn at least as much as I made at my regular job, but have the comfort of working at home where I could manage my time better. The decision wasn't easy as I had a wife who wasn't working and a newborn daughter, but I quit my job and now I wake up around 7, edit until noon and the rest of the day is mine! As a bonus I also get to spend more time with my child, although that also means changing more poopy diapers. I also left the job on good terms so I also do freelance work for my old employers from time to time. With that extra time I've shot a few short films and gotten into a few festivals and am having a great time. The freelance world isn't for everyone, but if you're good at what you do people will seek you out and you won't be lacking for work. Also, more and more employers are comfortable with telecommuting. I rarely have to leave my house now unless I want to. Ciients send me tapes via messenger, I post cuts to the internet, and when it's approved they come pick up the finished master. Sometimes, for the shorter pieces, I just beam the finished quicktime up to their server. Never take a job that uses up too much of your time or energy if it's not what you want to do. It's a trap that takes a lot of effort to extricate yourself from.
 
I quit my job and moved, in a *snap* just like that. I had a steady job working at a hotel, and I mean steady, reliable, decent income, put my son through college. Did I mention that I 'hardly' worked at all? The hotel ran itself. We had good people in place, little direction had to be done, so why leave?

The residence was next to the front desk, we heard the phone ring all night long, even when we were closed. People would ring the night doorbell asking for a room when we were sold out. We'd have teenagers terrorizing the property, drunks slamming doors and yelling at night - enough!

So here we were, stuck in a rut in a decent paying job which required very little effort on our parts and we were bored, bored, bored to tears. We saw an opportunity to leave before spring break, BAM, we were gong, just like that.

I can SLEEP a full night without any interruptions. No late night night bell rings, no one jumping into the pool after hours, nothing. I hear SILENCE. This is the best move we've made in years.

By the way, did I mention we don't have a job? We're living off our savings. We're taking a vacation. I dont' know what I want to be when I grow up, but this much I know, I CAN SLEEP without having to have any responsibilities.

Do I regret leaving? Not once. I've been settled for about 3 weeks, already I've given my first industry pitch at a friendly pitch workshop. Nah, don't regret leaving at all.

Those who take RISK have a greater reward than those who stay for security.
 
Batutta said:
I was working for a small cable network, editing promos, getting paid well, but bored out of my skull. I was dragging work I could do in a day out to a week and feeling my life slip away. At the same time, I started getting more and more freelance work on the side, to the point where I had to start turning stuff down. Then I did the math and realized if I did freelance full time I could earn at least as much as I made at my regular job, but have the comfort of working at home where I could manage my time better. The decision wasn't easy as I had a wife who wasn't working and a newborn daughter, but I quit my job and now I wake up around 7, edit until noon and the rest of the day is mine! As a bonus I also get to spend more time with my child, although that also means changing more poopy diapers. I also left the job on good terms so I also do freelance work for my old employers from time to time. With that extra time I've shot a few short films and gotten into a few festivals and am having a great time. The freelance world isn't for everyone, but if you're good at what you do people will seek you out and you won't be lacking for work. Also, more and more employers are comfortable with telecommuting. I rarely have to leave my house now unless I want to. Ciients send me tapes via messenger, I post cuts to the internet, and when it's approved they come pick up the finished master. Sometimes, for the shorter pieces, I just beam the finished quicktime up to their server. Never take a job that uses up too much of your time or energy if it's not what you want to do. It's a trap that takes a lot of effort to extricate yourself from.
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Your story is a great inspiration for me. In a very similar situation now, and hope to go the same path you did sometime soon.
 
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