filmguy123
Veteran
Well Oliver, I never saw this in July as it just got bumped. What is an update on where you're at?
In any case, I don't think you should stop or quit. You have a passion for this and you have a good eye, and a good sense for music with the visuals.
I think what you need, though, is business sense along with creativity. The problem a lot of people have, I believe, is either they are very good at business, marketing, networking, understanding gear and equipment, etc. but don't get work because they aren't that good creatively/visually. Or, that they are great creatively/visually, but don't have the business/marketing side of things done.
You have to be a bit of a hustler to make it on your own.
My advice: find someone to partner with that wants to to devote themselves fully to business, sales, networking, logistics, marketting, taxes, etc. They can also be your point man for clients and on shoots, handling interactions/interviews/etc. And you handle all the creative aspects - basically, be the DP and editor and creative author of the pieces.
OR, throw your stuff out there to local agencies and organizations. Work for a church, a non-profit, or marketing firm as a DP/Editor. Smaller organizations will be better because they will give you perhaps a bit less pay, but full creative freedom and ownership (vs working on one aspect of a larger project).
I'd say pursue 1 of those 2 paths (a business partnership, or employment somewhere).
As you're discovering, you need and want to make money.
Also, stock footage is a lot of work and not terribly lucrative, but with a thousand clips online on 3 sites I've heard of people making $1000 USD/month. If you've got spare time, might be worth looking into as a supplemental SIDE ENDEAVOR - not a full time gig. But it is time consuming to upload and tag. Maybe something your partner could do if you work with someone on a business.
In any case, I don't think you should stop or quit. You have a passion for this and you have a good eye, and a good sense for music with the visuals.
I think what you need, though, is business sense along with creativity. The problem a lot of people have, I believe, is either they are very good at business, marketing, networking, understanding gear and equipment, etc. but don't get work because they aren't that good creatively/visually. Or, that they are great creatively/visually, but don't have the business/marketing side of things done.
You have to be a bit of a hustler to make it on your own.
My advice: find someone to partner with that wants to to devote themselves fully to business, sales, networking, logistics, marketting, taxes, etc. They can also be your point man for clients and on shoots, handling interactions/interviews/etc. And you handle all the creative aspects - basically, be the DP and editor and creative author of the pieces.
OR, throw your stuff out there to local agencies and organizations. Work for a church, a non-profit, or marketing firm as a DP/Editor. Smaller organizations will be better because they will give you perhaps a bit less pay, but full creative freedom and ownership (vs working on one aspect of a larger project).
I'd say pursue 1 of those 2 paths (a business partnership, or employment somewhere).
As you're discovering, you need and want to make money.
Also, stock footage is a lot of work and not terribly lucrative, but with a thousand clips online on 3 sites I've heard of people making $1000 USD/month. If you've got spare time, might be worth looking into as a supplemental SIDE ENDEAVOR - not a full time gig. But it is time consuming to upload and tag. Maybe something your partner could do if you work with someone on a business.