Did any of you all's dream come true?

[Zachadoodle]

As someone who is close to 30 and realizing he is severely behind the several young directors out there. My question to you all is that dream of you being the world famous filmmaker who surpassed their peers in middle school, did that dream ever come true for you for you now as an adult in their 40's?

If this dream came true, was it all worth it?

 

[NorBro]

Only once in a blue moon will you find someone on that kind of dreams-come-true world famous filmmaker level on a forum.

Most of the old timers got into video production because it was an available job that they liked and liked working for themselves, and some had great careers for decades (that could be a dream come true in hindsight).

Others who have big dreams in Hollywood start with much smaller goals and it’s usually the talent and the product that is way more known than the filmmaker until a few are made and keep getting pushed out to the world (used to be film festivals but now it’s mostly any kind of social media because you have more opportunities everywhere if you have a lot of eyes on you).

 

[Doug Jensen]

My question to you all is that dream of you being the world famous filmmaker who surpassed their peers in middle school, did that dream ever come true for you for you now as an adult in their 40's?

I never had that that kind of dream -- or meaningless motivations to beat my peers. But I do wish I was in my 40's.

 

[El Director]

Many directors and others working in the business don't get their start until later in life. Garreth Edwards comes to mind (Godzilla, Rogue One, The Creator...) He was just a VFX artist that convinced a studio to give him a stab at directing a TV show (Atila the Hun) in exchange for doing the VFX for free.

Also, I think of Bill Butler (DP of Jaws). He was well into his 40's before he shot his first movie.

The moral of the story is to not worry about how old you are. Just make the films you want to make. Get better, put your passion into them, and maybe you'll find success. You should also define what that looks like to you. As a teenager, success to me meant working in Hollywood. Now in my late thirties, success means living comfortably and making a living doing what I love. I started my own production company, I pay the bills working just a few hours a week doing video work for clients, then spend the rest of my time working on my movies. That's success enough for me.

 

[JAMedia]

As someone who is close to 30 and realizing he is severely behind the several young directors out there. My question to you all is that dream of you being the world famous filmmaker who surpassed their peers in middle school, did that dream ever come true for you for you now as an adult in their 40's?

If this dream came true, was it all worth it?

I am somewhat over my 40s :undecided I have no idea where the people I went to school with have got to. I lost track of all of them decades ago.
However that was because both I and many of them moved. (also no social media and cell phones then)

It depends how you measure success.

There is a proverb "do what you enjoy and you never work a day in your life" I have never worked a day in my life in any of my three careers.
I have not made fortune but in (semi) retirement my pensions are more than the average national income.
I had a hell of a lot of fun doing it even the bits that hurt. (I spent time in the military)

At no time did I compete in the sense you are suggesting against peers I was at school with.
Nor direclty with other people in the industries I worked in.
Though I was competing all the time against all manner of challenges.

What is it you want out of life?
Though be warned, as you live life this will change.
Money for its own sake is a pretty poor goal.
As are false prizes. (Oscars are not the most important things in life)
It is better to have lived a life, be happy with enough to be sensibly comfortable.
Being a millionaire is no guarantee of happiness or contentment.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

I just entered my 40s. Have I become a respected and sought-after filmmaker? No. I've made films that have screened at regional film festivals. A few have done well and received awards. But these days, the audiences in those festivals are mostly comprised of the filmmakers and their families. Even taking top honors at one in 2019 and passing out dozens of business cards, I never received a single phone call or email regarding my film after the screening. Since then, every narrative short I've made has been "just for fun" or "let's see what happens".

But I also do this professionally, and the consolation prize hasn't been so bad either: I've been able to see and do so many interesting things, and I gone places that most "normal" jobs would never take you. At it's best, this job allows me to get paid to learn about many different things, while keeping me humble and grateful for each opportunity. I think that I am a much more well-rounded person today as a result of it.

The downside is that as a money-making endeavor, it leaves a lot to be desired. I'm fortunate to make a comfortable enough living and I've had some very good years, but even then most of my friends and the handful of classmates that I have kept up with make significantly more than I do. Lately I've been wondering if a full-time office job would actually free up more time and resources for meaningful creative pursuits.

 

[Zachadoodle]

I ...Lately I've been wondering if a full-time office job would actually free up more time and resources for meaningful creative pursuits.

That describes me in so many ways. I've been thinking the same thing and that is why my current college major is in business instead of film. Film is a dog eats dog world. Also while it is a bit sinister, I wish I could've proved my critics wrong who all thought I'd wind up as some bum living with his parents on government support his entire life.

 

[JAMedia]

I've been thinking the same thing and that is why my current college major is in business instead of film. Film is a dog eats dog world. Also while it is a bit sinister, I wish I could've proved my critics wrong who all thought I'd wind up as some bum living with his parents on government support his entire life.

I have a surprise for you in the film BUSINESS, it is dog-eat-dog. Professional film work, in fact, ANY professional work, is a business, and you have to run it as such. To give you an idea, in the UK the one of the largest specialist drone suppliers who did the UK training and certification for commercial drone use did a lot of courses on using drones and training for passing the required licensees. However, after 2 years, they started running business courses for drone operators. It seems a lot of people wanted to "fly drones" a lot wanted an aerial camera. However, whilst it is fun as a hobby to make a living out of it you have to run it as a business. 90% of those who took the training and licensing courses did not renew their CAA (UK version of the US FAA) operators licence in year 2 or year 3. Hence, they started the business courses.

I remember talking to a BBC sound person once, asking how he got started. He said I did the college course and was living at home for 3 years doing very little paid work until I got a gig that lead to another one and another. Since then, he was working 90% of the time, but it was a slow start. You need lore tha just being good at the art.

So I would do film and business at college. If you understand the money and how it works, also how to run your own business.... I know a young man who at 19 wanted to be a film director. He worked for the family company. He has done stints for Lucas Films as an AD, but the business skills he picked up means he also works as a (low budget) producer. He is now 24 and not getting rich but is getting by (and still lives at home). 1 in a million become Kubrick or Spielberg but many more make a living at it. It depends on how you measure susses/. Material wealth or contentment and being comfortable.

I am not rich and have less than some of my peers. But I own my own modest house outright. I have pensions that are just over the national UK average wages and can do what I like (within reason) There is a proverb: Do what you love, and you never work have to "work". I haven't worked a day in the last 1/2nd century.

The important thing is to try, it is far better to have tried and failed than live your whole life saying I wish I had given it a go.
A life of regret saying I wish I had done that eats a way at you no matter how much money you have.

 

[Zachadoodle]

For me it's working for 50k a year getting on by with a decent job that is available on the newspaper. Maybe something like shift manager at McDonald's if I'm lucky though I'm okay with taking in phone calls for a local bank. There's a factory nearby my town that looks like it could use some clerical assistance from me, but apart from that, I don't really see myself being able to make a buck off of this thing. It's like a door to door salesman sort of deal as a freelancer, which if you can sale thats great, but I'm more of a numbers and technical sort of guy. Getting along with people is not in my ability. My planned job I just have to interact with my boss and no one else. Please do not take this the wrong way.

 

[JAMedia]

I don't really see myself being able to make a buck off of this thing. It's like a door to door salesman sort of deal as a freelancer, which if you can sale thats great,

Most of the film making industry is freelance day to day and project by project stuff.

but I'm more of a numbers and technical sort of guy. Getting along with people is not in my ability. My planned job I just have to interact with my boss and no one else. Please do not take this the wrong way.

Most film work is teamwork.

I was going to suggest journalism or news documentary where you can be employed by a company rather than freelance but that, whilst small teams, does require working in a team with people.
So I am at a loss what to suggest.

Push the business angle and get a job doing that number and technical, You can do film work as a hobby. However, it sounds like you want to work solo so it won't be cinematography where you need a team. Have a look at YouTube channels and start one yourself? If it works you will make (some) money, but you will find most if not all the very successful YT channels have a team of 5-30 people working on them.

 

[Zachadoodle]

Most of the film making industry is freelance day to day and project by project stuff.



Most film work is teamwork.

I was going to suggest journalism or news documentary where you can be employed by a company rather than freelance but that, whilst small teams, does require working in a team with people.
So I am at a loss what to suggest.

Push the business angle and get a job doing that number and technical, You can do film work as a hobby. However, it sounds like you want to work solo so it won't be cinematography where you need a team. Have a look at YouTube channels and start one yourself? If it works you will make (some) money, but you will find most if not all the very successful YT channels have a team of 5-30 people working on them.

Honestly, I even have a hard time connecting with people as an audience. I used to be very confident about this field when my grandmother was alive because she would laugh with my films, but unfortunately after her passing the cold-heartedness of reality sept in and now I'm having a hard time being as passionate as I used to about filmmaking if I have to focus on survival when given the circumstance of people not feeling I'm socially or intuitively dependable as a person. Sometimes I get people attracted to my films, but it isn't enough to become substantial to pay bills. In many ways I'm spending more money into this than getting out.

On top of that there is the choice of going cross country for gigs and risking my time and money for it, but even then it's like American Idol: a long line of people, but few people get picked.

I wish filmmaking had the mentality of taking in as many people as possible, but cast and crew are limited, time is limited per gig, and pay is limited too. Plus you go to many people and they hardly want to be in film.

3D Animation is the same thing in struggling even though there is less limitations and that field is the highest in demand in the film industry or any industry as lots of people hire those who do 3D, but then again, same issue: tangible ability > perceived passion.

 

[JAMedia]

Honestly, I even have a hard time connecting with people as an audience. I used to be very confident about this field when my grandmother was alive because she would laugh with my films, but unfortunately after her passing the cold-heartedness of reality sept in and now I'm having a hard time being as passionate as I used to about filmmaking if I have to focus on survival when given the circumstance of people not feeling I'm socially or intuitively dependable as a person. .

Even Oscar winners have their films trashed by critics and people on social media. Some of the highest grossing films of all time have detractors. You will have to live with that if you want to sho your films to more than just a sympathetic grandparent. NOTE, the better you get, the worse some people on social media get.

I am sure if you post a link to your films (YouTube?) you will get some constructive feed back from the people here.

Sometimes I get people attracted to my films, but it isn't enough to become substantial to pay bills. In many ways I'm spending more money into this than getting out. On top of that there is the choice of going cross country for gigs and risking my time and money for it, but even then it's like American Idol: a long line of people, but few people get picked.

It is a long, hard slog. Most people's "overnight success" usually comes after years of hard work learning their craft. Instant fame (American Idol) can also have instant failure, and you go right back to the bottom but with the label "failure" and it is far more difficult to come back.

BTW Don't spend any money you can't afford.


I

wish filmmaking had the mentality of taking in as many people as possible, but cast and crew are limited, time is limited per gig, and pay is limited too. Plus you go to many people and they hardly want to be in film.

Filmmaking is a business that is more volatile than the stock market. Anyone can play but it requires a lot of human interaction that is not your strong suit. I would recommend you work with a couple of people who can provide the social skills to your technical skills. A small production company, if you will. I would think informally at first.

3D Animation is the same thing in struggling even though there is less limitations and that field is the highest in demand in the film industry or any industry as lots of people hire those who do 3D, but then again, same issue: tangible ability > perceived passion.

This you could do as a freelancer to other teams? Then you could work on your own as part of a larger set up. Just a though.

 

[Run&Gun]

That was never my dream. And I don't know anyone that I went to Jr. High or High School with that really wanted to get into this world. But with that being said, I'm more or less "living the dream". I've been doing what I wanted to for the last few decades and enjoying life, in-general.