Things you gave up for film.

Phil

Phil

Veteran
Did anyone else here give up something to follow their dream of making film?

I had played in bands and played every instrument my whole life. Music was huge for me.

Playing in bands. This is what I gave up...Just one of the many guitars and amps I sold, but I miss this one the most.

This is a Gibson SG. Mine was like it, but Ebony Stain, which is a dark dark brown color but you can still see the grain of the wood. Dual chrome humbucker pick ups and a Marshall half stack amp...once the tubes were hot...what a sound...

...sigh...

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I'd still rather be filming! :)
 
Paintball - very expensive game to play competitively

EDIT - never had more than 300 bucks... should get a job so I can buy a DVX but I think I creep people out in the interviews
 
That's sad to hear, Phil. Yeah, SGs are rockin' guitars - just ask Angus Young.

I might have to scrimp and scrape to get by, but I refuse to sell my git-fiddles! I still have the Kramer Pacer Carrera and Kustom tube amp I bought new in 1982, plus an Alvarez acoustic. Playing them is like therapy to me. It's very relaxing and fulfilling all at once.

I developed an interest in golf about 5 or 6 years ago, but have since kicked it to the curb in favor of other priorities. Now, that is one expensive hobby!
 
Her name was Barbara. Beautiful, smart, sweet and amazing in the bed room. We were engaged to be married. She fell asleep doing a theatrical showing of "Citizen Kane". Do I need to say more?
 
Rosestar - HA! LOL :)

As for me, years of working as a graphic designer and near giant CRT monitors have caused my sperm to be put on the endangered species list. There's pretty much no chance of passing on my genes or continuing the PK name. So, I guess you could say, I've given up a chance to be a father ...or a chance to be a hero to some stupid kid.
 
Every day I look at my discontinued 2 channel Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier halfstack and think about the new editing system it would bring me. I think in awe of render times less than one minute per hour (I'm running an athlon xp 1500 with only 512, ouch)... and then I flip that switch, shake the walls, and remember that it exists as an irreplacable source of therapy, and that at the very least, I've got something fun to do while I wait.

As for things I've actually gone through with giving up, my sanity and health surely rank the highest.
 
I gave up my pursuit of DJ'ing.

Sold my 2 turntables, 2 mixers, 2 tabletop cd players, coffin, and amp to pay for my DVX.
 
I didn't give up sh*t! I'm greedy! Who said you had to give up something, well maybe if you're a pimp and wanted to become a monk then I can see a sacrifice. Now if you were in a band and was constantly touring every day then I can understand. I love doing the things I want to do and nothing is going to stop me......but if a hot women ask me to run away with her...then im gone suckas! kidding...
 
man, i could not even imagine giving up a marshall half stack or an sg. that's a hardcore devotion to video you got.

i stopped bowling every week, because it ended up like 80 bucks a month, plus gas, insurance, cell phone, and wendy's every day during school, the hvx fund was diminishing quite rapidly.

not much compared to you guys, though.
 
My job. It just had to go...they kept telling me "No, you can't shoot scenes here, nor can you read books about it on company time" So I showed their asses! Now, all I have to worry about is working on my movie ideas, and where my next meal will come from! I've been doing weddings and any other video project I can get ahold of.

I too once had a dark brown stained SG...I think it was a 78 or thereabouts. Burned it on stage at the last show I played with my band (about 1995). I now have only my Yamaha acoustic, which was my first guitar when I was 12 years old. Well, and a banjo, a bunch of harmonicas and little percussion instruments, a washtub bass (a bass made from an old washtub), a fiddle and some Irish Penny Whistles. I make New Age Hillbilly music! You should hear that banjo tuned up like a sitar!
 
I gave up porn....wait....no I didnt......now that i think about...the only thing i really gave up for filmin was my old bitchy GF...omfg...HURRAY!!!

Phil...thats a sweeet lookin SG!

I got a Les Paul Custom and Fender Stratocaster...and a Guild Electric Acoustic..and a Marshall amp all hooked up with a Boss ME-50 Pedal.


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I think the irony of this is that I haven't given up anything. I have not made the sacrifice and that is the problem.

Okay; I'm gonna go cry now.
 
Some people have to sacrifice. Some do not John.

I never had the money to do anything in life. Ran into bad luck with money. So I learned. Sell one thing to get another...without breaking the law or being immoral.

And now it's film.

Funny story:

I once had a kid come into the store that I worked with a VX2100. Mommy just bought it. Kid was 16...wanted to make films. I tried talking to him about film making...but he brushed me off...what do I know...Him and his friends know better. I start talking to the mom and as I turn around, he's spinning the focus ring on the camera and it's in auto focus. He's changing knobs. He's touching the lens...And I can't stop the mom from talking..."Oh he's so smart, Oh he's gonna make films, Oh I'll buy him anything he wants..." Meanwhile, he's grinding gears and ruining this camera. I say "You probably don't wanna..." and she looks at me "He knows" and I shut up...

Moral of the story? Because the kid was given the camera, he doesn't respect what he had.

I gave up and put so much into this...I made sure I knew what I was doing before I did ANYTHING. More to lose you know?

And Now I have more respect for fellow film makers...no matter what level of education...just in case...they know more than me, at one thing or the other...I'm always greatful for you guys.

Here's to my fellow DVXer's... :beer:
 
..the first thing that comes to mind is my time. mountains of it. time i couldve spent just hanging out with my family or freinds , or out doing something active and refreshing. as a result id have to add.. my clear cut appearance of sanity.. my non stressed easy going lifestyle.. my ability to watch a movie and simply enjoy it. ...anyway ..its mostly about the time. i hate not seeing my family as much becase im working more.
 
I gave up being a musician. I still compose a little now and then, didn't sell my guitar, but music takes up a lot of time. Easier to put all that energy into film. Film involves music anyway, so I don't feel like I've entirely dropped it.

I've also given up the security of a 9 to 5. Lots of my friends hate their jobs and have no idea what they want to do. I don't hate my job, but of course I'm having to discipline myself to get a lot done. In a way giving up a 9 to 5 lifestyle also includes giving up an external sense of focus and discipline. With a job you're forced to get up on time everyday, put in your hours, and keep a certain level of responsibility. It takes a lot of self discipline to do that for film and I don't think most people realize that.

I put a relationship on hold for about two years to really focus on film.

And like Neil said, time, lots of time spent experimenting and honing the craft.

Yeah, this profession gives and takes a lot out of you. :)
 
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