starting out (in highschool)

[pfista]

So I'm 17 years old and I bought my dvx last year after saving up some money. My passion for film making has grown a lot recently, and I've been reading lots of stuff on this forum and from other resources to learn as much as possible. Now that I have a camera, mic, and a few other things, with an added desire to make films, I want to try and start making some money. And not only for the money, but see if I'm truly interested in going to film school etc. I read through a bunch of the old threads on charging rates and stuff like craigslist and mandy's, but I still have some questions. Seeing as I'm still in highschool and haven't had any real world experience (i've only made some shorts with my friends) does that mean I have to work free gigs? This is one option for me, but I would want some money in return for all the equipment I have purchased / depreciation of its value. I've been looking at craiglist the past couple weeks in the Houston area, but haven't really seen too much. I don't know what the right job for me would be. My parents suggested starting up some sort of business, say, for shooting kids birthday parties. I live in Katy which is about 30 minutes west of houston, and there are a lot of rich parents willing to have their cute little kid videotaped. This is a possibility, but I sort of want to work in a more professional environment. So I guess what I'm asking is where is the best place to start / just get a feel to see if I really want to consider this for college or a career. I've enjoyed what I have done so far with it, but I want to take the next step.

Or should I even consider doing this, and rather just stick to making videos with my friends? The only thing I don't like about that is most of my friends don't really have the dedication that I do, except for one or two. Things always just get complicated with people backing out cause they are going to do something else or because they keep getting grounded.

For example, would this be a reasonable job for me, and a friend to run boom?
http://houston.craigslist.org/tfr/497466181.html
I taught my friend the basics of audio and he is willing to start working stuff like this with me.

I'll leave it at that for now. I'm sure I will have some more questions later on.

Thanks!

 

[Batutta]

If you're still living at home and your parents give you three meals a day, forget about making money and concentrate on making films. Write a script. Cast real actors, not your friends, unless they can really act. Shoot. You're still young and don't have any real world responsibilities yet, so exploit that while you can.

 

[Drew Ott]

Shoot weddings for money and PA on as many film sets as you can get on.

A year ago I sent e-mails to most wedding videographers in Austin asking if they were looking for second camera operators. I got mainly "no," but one guy tested me out, and I've shot about 10 weddings with him.

Every time there is a short in your area, offer to work on it for free. When you're on set, work as hard as you can. Talk with other crew members about film when you can and show them you're knowledgeable. This is how you network. If someone from the crew asks for contact information, or if the guy who hired you hires you again, that means you did well.

 

[greeches]

I agree with bball... Work for free, and give yourself a goal. Then work your way up to charging some money (so if you screw up, you won't feel bad) and as you get more experienced, charge more and more. I just started charging 3 years ago and you feel more confident in charging the more experiences you get. But then again, you don't have any bills so it won't hurt to work for free!!

good luck!