Today is my birthday

roxics

roxics

Veteran
I'm officially 35 and when I look back on my life from this point in time I make some observations about who I am and where I want to go.

I've directed one feature film and a couple handfuls of short films. I've been doing corporate video for a living for the last 7.5 years. In that time I haven't done any indie film. Sadly.

I remember thinking years ago I was going to be in Hollywood directing features by age 23. lol So much for that. But by 25, after completing my first feature, I figured out that wasn't a realistic goal to begin with.

I'm wondering how many of you are like me or have been like me. How many of you started with dreams of being a filmmaker and were at least lucky enough to have found yourself doing video/film in some capacity for a living? Because I do consider myself lucky. I may not have made it to Hollywood directing multi million dollar productions, but I'm still happy to be doing what I love.

Now my goal (aside from making more money at what I do lol) is to get myself back into the indie film game. Purely for passion. I've always wanted to do a sci-fi film and I'm working on a short screenplay now.
 
You're never too old because when you are that old hopefully you'll be better at your craft and even better in life. I'm 44, my needs, desires and ambitions are larger now than then they were at 34. Im certainly smarter. All the best and Happy Birthday.
 
Jason Ramsey said:
Happy 35! :)

:beer: :beer:
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Thank you :)

Marino215 said:
You're never too old because when you are that old hopefully you'll be better at your craft and even better in life. I'm 44, my needs, desires and ambitions are larger now than then they were at 34. Im certainly smarter. All the best and Happy Birthday.
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Thank you. You are right about getting better at the craft. I think my ambitions today are just a little more tempered than they were in the past. For instance I used to believe I needed to know everything about everyones job. So that I could swtich roles and do their job if I needed to. Today I'm more aware that I just need to know enough to be informed and leave them to do their job and me to do mine. It wasn't that I didn't trust other people or felt I could do it better, it was more of a self confidence issue. Thinking I didn't have any value unless I could do everything. That's just one example.
 
It is a small miracle to make a living doing ANY kind of filmmaking for a living. Our stories are not dissimilar and, like you, I feel grateful to have made such a good long go of it in this ever changing field. Happy Birthday, friend.
 
Happy birthday and dont worry about how old you are. Stay health and keep learning. I never stop finding better ways to do my job and I love every minute of it. It seems every month some new technology comes out and we get to play with it making this industry fresh an fun. The creative process never dies and like fine wine it gets better over time.

Cheers!
 
I'm about to hit the same age myself. I'm keeping hope alive, balancing videography/videoproduction for a living with doing projects in my spare time. I think the key, IF you have any control over it, is to not become so busy that you can't do your own stuff. I know many folks who wanted houses, families etc. and so hard to work as hard as they could at the "for a living" aspect of the biz and got further and further away and had no time for the "unpaid indie film" side.
 
Damn... I have tee-shirts older then you! Keep doing what you love and live your life to the fullest with the people you love...life is short.
Happy Birthday.
 
Happy Birthday and take some advice from a "senior member" on this auspicious day. Keep enjoying life, your family,your friends and your craft ! All the best from someone who has been in the biz for longer than you have been on the planet.
 
Thank you everyone. I will most definitely take all your advice. Never stop learning. Especially from those with more experience than you. :)

Just for fun last night I decided to take an old exerimental short I shot back in 2003 and do a complete recut from the source tapes. It gave me a chance to try out FCPX more (normally a premiere guy) but more importantly it got me cutting an indie film again. Even if it was one I already cut 11 years ago. But it's about getting the indie film creative juices flowing again.
 
Well there you go ...

I came across this post on 8 Feb - my 62nd birthday.

I was directing television variety at the age of 21 and on my 30th birthday was putting my first schedule to air as a program director.

After progressing to GM, I went back to directing at age 35 and started all over again.

I managed to retire at 52 and over the past decade I've managed to go back to what I enjoy - shooting and editing.

Someone asked me the other day what I most enjoyed about being in the TV business and I couldn't really answer other than to say that I don't feel I've actually worked a day in my life - I've just had fun.

And I'll keep having fun just as long as I can stay in focus:happy:
 
I work with one of the top painters in Canada and he got really good at 70 years old. He says before that he was just learning...........he's 96 now and slowing down a little...... he's allowed!

35, you've got some time and happy birthday
 
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