I will be homeless soon

Just a thought man - why dont you consider hopping over to Australia (given that you are in New Zealand)? Lots of young people from the UK & Ireland are heading over there as frankly the job situation sucks at the moment, and its not likely to get better anytime soon.

Some friends of mine went across and got a job straight away as a valet in a hotel, good pay no problems with visas. Some others went and decided to work in farms (they are crashing in tourist hostels with loads of Scandinavian backpackers - I think that would be the motivating factor - but they are on a paid holiday essentially, working hard and playing hard).

Anyway the point is that it is fairly easy to find unskilled jobs in Australia, and you can find your feet easier there at the moment (plus you would be a bit closer to your son, closer than in UK anyway).

Something to consider...
 
As I'm fond of telling my friends - before you can sit in the Reichstag you must first endure the Years of Struggle! (I joke! I joke!)
 
Good luck getting back on your feet. I think the most important thing is to never lose your sense of humor despite your situation. Good luck!
 
Just a thought man - why dont you consider hopping over to Australia (given that you are in New Zealand)? Lots of young people from the UK & Ireland are heading over there as frankly the job situation sucks at the moment, and its not likely to get better anytime soon.

Some friends of mine went across and got a job straight away as a valet in a hotel, good pay no problems with visas. Some others went and decided to work in farms (they are crashing in tourist hostels with loads of Scandinavian backpackers - I think that would be the motivating factor - but they are on a paid holiday essentially, working hard and playing hard).

Anyway the point is that it is fairly easy to find unskilled jobs in Australia, and you can find your feet easier there at the moment (plus you would be a bit closer to your son, closer than in UK anyway).

Something to consider...

Hey man, yeh I did consider that, but I would still of had to apply for a NZ visa to get to Aussie or something like that........shame I booked my flight already. I didnt sleep well at all last night......the thought of being homeless is nothing compared to the thought of being so far away from my son. At least when I get back to UK I can catch up with mates and see some family like my cousins etc. One of my film making friends has said I could stay round his house for a while and hes making a zombie flick at the moment, so I would suit the role of one very well what with my jet lag and all lol.

My sister lives in Melbourne actually, she said its great. She goes to uni there.

Good luck getting back on your feet. I think the most important thing is to never lose your sense of humor despite your situation. Good luck!

Thanks man. Oh I will never lose my sense of humor, its what keeps me sane.
 
Are there any visa categories in NZ that you can realistically train for and make your way back to your son, once you get back on your feet in England?
 
Are there any visa categories in NZ that you can realistically train for and make your way back to your son, once you get back on your feet in England?

Yeh theres a few, but the one option I will go for will be to apply for residency from UK and get my mother to sponsor me, as shes a citizen here. Its been hard because for over 10 years my mother and I have been on bad terms etc. That way once I get residency I will never have to bother with visa's again. I will need a job offer to be able to get a work visa again, as last time I was on an open work visa via partnership from my sons mother, but we are not together anymore.

I always say, where one door closes, another one opens. I guess thats the good thing about life, something else always comes along.
 
Last edited:
Just be careful to determine exactly *what* your head is up, and whether or not continued pushing is the best way to go...

Sorry. Couldn't resist.
 
Tomorrow is a new day my friend :)
keep your head up and never stop grinding forward! The second you stop, is the moment you take two giant steps back. You have the right attitude and if i could give you work right now i certainly would. But as you know, in the real world you have to earn it on your own.
You can do this!
 
I would suggest writing a journal everyday during this hard time, you could turn your story of struggle into an amazing film or documentary. All the best!
 
I am in a similar, but less extreme situation at the moment after having been laid-off at the end of February. I had been working as an Assistant / Office Manager for a couple of indie producers the past few years, but they ran out of money this past February.

I've had a couple of freelance PA jobs since then, but not enough profit to keep my apartment much longer. If I don't find a full-time job soon, I am basically a month away from having to sell everything and move back home to my parents house in Connecticut (I am in Los Angeles at the moment), which wouldn't be the end of the world as they are within commuting distance from New York and I ultimately want to be a screenwriter, which I can do from anywhere.

I had a great living situation lined up for June & July, where a friend was going to let me stay with him basically rent free, but unfortunately, that has fallen through. I am looking at another place next week with some alumni from my school that would be a lot cheaper than my current place, which might buy me another month or two of job searching.

I'm 26 as well, but no visas or children to worry about.

On the positive side, I have a 2nd interview coming up for a nice job. It wouldn't pay as much as my last, but it is at a larger company, which would hopefully mean more job security. Fingers crossed.

Edit:
I do have a DVX100A that I don't use much anymore. 194 hours. Camera works fine, though there is some slight damage on the ND switch, which I would recommend getting fixed at a Panasonic center (plastic beneath the ND knob broke off, so if you have the ND on, you can see into the camera; if ND is off, the hole is covered). I believe that it is NTSC (24p) only though. I have two 5400 batteries, one 1600 battery, the optional AG-MC100 on-camera shotgun mic, Panasonic battery charger + additional 3rd party charger with car adapter.
 
Last edited:
Here is a wonderful speech from Denzel Washington. I tried to find it on youtube but couldn't, so here it is. http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video800.php?v=wshhkWJ0G4A5eC3jIhEA&set_size=1
I wish you luck and know things will workout if you keep your head up and keep pushing.

Thanks man that was really uplifting. Fall forward. I like it. :)

Just be careful to determine exactly *what* your head is up, and whether or not continued pushing is the best way to go...

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Lol.

I am in a similar, but less extreme situation at the moment after having been laid-off at the end of February. I had been working as an Assistant / Office Manager for a couple of indie producers the past few years, but they ran out of money this past February.

I've had a couple of freelance PA jobs since then, but not enough profit to keep my apartment much longer. If I don't find a full-time job soon, I am basically a month away from having to sell everything and move back home to my parents house in Connecticut (I am in Los Angeles at the moment), which wouldn't be the end of the world as they are within commuting distance from New York and I ultimately want to be a screenwriter, which I can do from anywhere.

I had a great living situation lined up for June & July, where a friend was going to let me stay with him basically rent free, but unfortunately, that has fallen through. I am looking at another place next week with some alumni from my school that would be a lot cheaper than my current place, which might buy me another month or two of job searching.

I'm 26 as well, but no visas or children to worry about.

On the positive side, I have a 2nd interview coming up for a nice job. It wouldn't pay as much as my last, but it is at a larger company, which would hopefully mean more job security. Fingers crossed.

Edit:
I do have a DVX100A that I don't use much anymore. 194 hours. Camera works fine, though there is some slight damage on the ND switch, which I would recommend getting fixed at a Panasonic center (plastic beneath the ND knob broke off, so if you have the ND on, you can see into the camera; if ND is off, the hole is covered). I believe that it is NTSC (24p) only though. I have two 5400 batteries, one 1600 battery, the optional AG-MC100 on-camera shotgun mic, Panasonic battery charger + additional 3rd party charger with car adapter.

All the best with that man. Damn if I had the money i would get another DVX i love the DVX. When you think all is lost, its usally not, just takes a while for things to get better. i'm sure it will work out for you.

I would suggest writing a journal everyday during this hard time, you could turn your story of struggle into an amazing film or documentary. All the best!

Hey thats a great idea actually, I will try that, thanks!



I have a DVX. I could knock the price down if people wanted to snag it for this cause.

:)
 
Since in your OP you had asked about low points...

broken up with a girlfriend of four years who I'd thought about marrying, working in a gun store

left a supervisor's position with Amblin for a pie-in-the-sky videogame developing job which never materialized (and was convinced that I would *never* again find work for that kind of pay)

found out that my bank account was empty when at the pump trying to put gas in my car's tank (which was also empty)

gave my last few dollars to a security-guard company which promised to set me up with work, only to find that I desperately needed the money back and in spite of never having done a thing for me, they wouldn't return it (later that same day)...

...so yeah, I think we all have 'em.
 
All the best with that man. Damn if I had the money i would get another DVX i love the DVX. When you think all is lost, its usally not, just takes a while for things to get better. i'm sure it will work out for you.
Thanks. I'm sure I'll find a way to stay in Los Angeles, even if it means I have to get a job at Ralphs Grocery Stores :cry:

In your original post you talked about checking into a shelter. Do you not have any relatives (even distant ones) or old classmates you could stay with?
 
@Sadmax - you had me at "working at a gun store"... You and Doc are my kinda people.
Sad, Zaza, Doc my McDreamy's
Postmaster my McSteamy

Yes, I've turned this thread into reality tv. Hey, I lost everything but one thing I didn't lose, was the hope that things would get better. I know what "famished" means.
 
Thanks. I'm sure I'll find a way to stay in Los Angeles, even if it means I have to get a job at Ralphs Grocery Stores :cry:

In your original post you talked about checking into a shelter. Do you not have any relatives (even distant ones) or old classmates you could stay with?

Damn LA? Wow I'd jump at the chance to be there. People think London is all that here in England but its not. And thats our main city where all the movie premiers are.

Yes luckily for me in the last 24 hours I have had a friend offer me a place to stay at his house until I get back on my feet. Hes married with 3 kids lol, and altho I appreciate the offer I hate to impose, but it might seem like the best option at the moment. and I REALLY do hate imposing on people. I'm one of those guys thats always been dependant and paid my way and done everything myself, but I wont turn down a kind offer like that if i really need it. He told me anyway his wife is really happy cuz now they have a babysitter if they need one haha.

Since in your OP you had asked about low points...

broken up with a girlfriend of four years who I'd thought about marrying, working in a gun store

left a supervisor's position with Amblin for a pie-in-the-sky videogame developing job which never materialized (and was convinced that I would *never* again find work for that kind of pay)

found out that my bank account was empty when at the pump trying to put gas in my car's tank (which was also empty)

gave my last few dollars to a security-guard company which promised to set me up with work, only to find that I desperately needed the money back and in spite of never having done a thing for me, they wouldn't return it (later that same day)...

...so yeah, I think we all have 'em.

Oh man tell me about, $$$$$$$ is what I never seem to have, for very long anyway. Sorry to hear about you GF. What would you of been doing at the video game company? Actually creating games? That sounds like a cool job. LOl. you remind me of me too much. I'm always running out of gas and panicking about filling up. I live rurally and takes about 20 mins to get to the city, eats my gas big time.

Edit-I would never mess with a guy that worked in a gun shop...you know.....just incase lol.
 
Back
Top