Career Problems

D

Dr. Rockso

New member
Here's what I'm finding...

I love filmmaking, I don't like the filmmaking business (at least from what I've seen). The politics, the cut-throat nature, the harsh rejection and vulnerableness, the fleeting work that I'm finding. For me the passion seems to get choked out by all the attached baggage.

I feel like getting a normal job and doing filmmaking as a personal thing on the side. But it's hard doing that because I feel like filmmaking is what I was put on this earth for. I don't know if I have a question, just thought I'd open up a discussion. Does this make me a weakling quitter? A hobbyist that doesn't have the guts?
 
No, it makes you a reasonable human being. You have to be insane to join this industry. I've found fleeting work here and there...I'm decent at what I do. But the market has dried up.

So I got the "day business" and then on the side I am doing video. The whole "'ya gotta wear many hats" mentality is laughable when you realize that you are doing the job 5 people are and getting the paid the same as 1.
 
Dr. Rockso said:
Here's what I'm finding...

I love filmmaking, I don't like the filmmaking business (at least from what I've seen). The politics, the cut-throat nature, the harsh rejection and vulnerableness, the fleeting work that I'm finding. For me the passion seems to get choked out by all the attached baggage.

I feel like getting a normal job and doing filmmaking as a personal thing on the side. But it's hard doing that because I feel like filmmaking is what I was put on this earth for. I don't know if I have a question, just thought I'd open up a discussion. Does this make me a weakling quitter? A hobbyist that doesn't have the guts?
Click to expand...


What you need to do is to see what it actually takes to be a successful independant filmmaker. Go to the User Films section and check out Faith Granger's thread on her very first feature called Deuce of Spades. You can also go to her website http://deuceofspadesmovie.com and actually purchase a copy to see the what kind of movie that someone who actually has what it takes to make it in the industry looks like.
 
Yeah, nothing like being good at what you do and having top work a "real" job. It's sad really. Feel like we should carry a tin cup and a sign..... :)
 
The key really though is networking. If you can find some movers and shakers/get yourself in with them like a TV show then you're good for a bit. But this industry is really cyclic. Work hard for 4-6 months and sit around the house for 6 looking for that next half year gig. Unless you're lucky!
 
adamr316 said:
The key really though is networking. If you can find some movers and shakers/get yourself in with them like a TV show then you're good for a bit. But this industry is really cyclic. Work hard for 4-6 months and sit around the house for 6 looking for that next half year gig. Unless you're lucky!
Click to expand...

I do filmmaking on the side, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to network. If you are good at what you do, even reasonably so, then people will call you. I get contacted all the time to work as people like my camera skills. Having a day job has allowed me to keep a good set of equipment as well, but NOTHING has helped me more than just having a HUGE network of filmmaker friends. I have friends that do this full time and they too have huge networks of friends as well.

It's why I laugh at the term independent, because filmmaking is anything but! :)
 
I am reluctant to preach on this topic, but if you are competing in a very competitive market for the same bits of work as a thousand others, then it is going to be rough. This would be particularly true if your into the art as opposed to the business of video. While I would enjoy being only an artist, whatever that is, I really enjoy eating and living indoors, so I spend a lot of time on the business end of things. Professionally, a good place to be is where everyone else isn't. Think about creating a niche where your product will have less competition and it will be easier to create a following. How can you create a market video that isn't "work for hire"? It is a mindset, and whether you want to admit it, is is a business, and running a business takes much more than the artist mindset.

Grant
 
That's very true Grant. My decision to work during the day as an electrical engineer was also about not getting into a situation where I am taking jobs I don't want to do to support myself. I have a lot of friends in the video and music business, and they do this, and it makes them VERY unhappy, no matter the money. There is no right or wrong answer, but when deciding what *you* want, there is a lot of angles to look at.
 
Well, just my 2 cent here, yes the industry is competitive. If it wasn't, then it wouldn't be worth striving for because everyone and their second cousin would be making films (even worse than it is now). But the competition is not for the weak of heart or the timid. Grabbing the brass ring means you occasionally get some blisters. (Okay no more trite sayings)

I understand your feelings, Dr. Rockso, but if you truely want it, you will find a way. That does not mean you become a cut-throat yourself. You just need to get and maintain a good to great rep as a film-maker.

Otherwise, enjoy it more as a hobby, and the stress kind of disappears. But not all the way. Film-making is not easy, no matter what your goals are.
 
Well let me relate something to you that I have locally

- Theres people with 0 experience advertising "We are going to shake up the industry" and "If you want the best". Im very serious - 0 experience. And they are charging pennies to get experience. I've had many clients ask for quotes and about 6/10 say Joe Blogs will do it for 50% of that price.
- Theres people that sling mud about me that I dont even know. Ive met a couple of people for the first time and theyve said they came across so and so who knows me and I say Im sorry I dont - then I find out these little pieces.
- Theres people around me who flat out lie every day.
- I recently had a client go under owing me a bucket of cash. Now in the process of selling my Ducati to cover that loss.
- I have people who WONT recommend me and not because I cant do the job well or because they dislike me in particular.

But I fight on.
 
I don't think it's so much cut-throat as it is an old boys club. People work with the same people over and over again, including actors. So yes it does suck for anyone trying to get a foot in the door since most of the so called movers and shakers already got their guys they use/work with. However nobody will overlook talent and experience, so rack up the talent and the experience and you can go more places. It's when you lack talent and experience and you want to squeeze someone else out who's more talented and experienced when you have a problem. Everyone wants to work with the best.
 
filmmakerguy said:
People work with the same people over and over again
Click to expand...
This is the networking mentioned on the previous page. People tend to work with those they know and trust. This trust is often built up over a years of working together.



filmmakerguy said:
it does suck for anyone trying to get a foot in the door
Click to expand...
No doubt about it, it's extremely difficult to get started. It's not easy by any stretch of the imagination. The "old boys club" struggled just as much as you are when they were just starting out. It's the nature of the beast - the cost of entry is hard work, raw talent, determination and a little bit of lady luck. Many are taking a fast track by undercutting the competition, but that's a losing game. The type of clients you gather playing that game are the ones that are only concerned with price. They will dump you in a second if someone else comes along and undercuts your rate.


filmmakerguy said:
Everyone wants to work with the best.
Click to expand...
Don't you? I want to work with the best DP, AC, gaffer, grip, A1, etc. that I can afford. Working with "the best" elevates the quality of the work. Prime clients recognize this quality and will return for more business because they know that you will deliver a quality product. Consistently deliver a high quality product at a reasonable price (for both parties) and you will earn their trust.
 
My experience is the longer you stay in the field the cooler the people get, they're the die-hards, the industry pro's. And you become one as well.
Your skills increase and the work get more interesting.

And as the responsibility increases so does the reward. Nothing happens overnight. Set your integrity bar very high and everything will eventually fall into place.
Oh, and put yourself in a place where you can excel, for me that meant moving to LA. And until you reach that level of success, learn to keep your expenses low.
 
I haven't been here in a while, but I can easily relate.

About 3 years ago, I was incredibly gung ho about getting into the film biz as an editor/writer/director and said to myself that the baggage endured will be worth it. About 2 years in, I've only had less than moderate success no matter how hard I tried. Because finances were dwindling, I had to get a "normal corporate job" and was even considering giving up the film dream.

But after getting chewed out by corporate tyrants for things out of my power, I'm more determined than ever to make my film dream come true so I can quit and shove it in their faces in style. :)

craigbowman said:
What you need to do is to see what it actually takes to be a successful independant filmmaker. Go to the User Films section and check out Faith Granger's thread on her very first feature called Deuce of Spades. You can also go to her website http://deuceofspadesmovie.com and actually purchase a copy to see the what kind of movie that someone who actually has what it takes to make it in the industry looks like.
Click to expand...

I second this. Faith also worked a normal job while working on Deuce of Spades and was able to quit due to the film's success. If there's anyone here that can convince us it can be done, it's her.
 
The difference between a career and a hobby is having to put up with things in order to be successful. One can't separate "filmmaking" from "the business of filmmaking" and be professional. "Loving to write" is very different from having the temperament to actually produce and sell a novel. "Loving to make films" is very different from having the capacity - or even willingness - to do what it takes to be successful at it. There's a word for people who do things purely for the love of it: amateurs. People who do what it takes to be successful are professionals.

I say this without denigrating one or the other. We all have things in life that we like to do, that we wouldn't enjoy if we had to take them more seriously. That's how we divide up our lives into careers, jobs, and hobbies. We have to find the path that works, and often keeping what you love something purely for love - amateur - and keeping what you do as something to earn a living separate - is often a very good choice. And for some people, it's not. We am.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top