I want to talk some about the mental attitude somebody would need to work in the film industry. It is most definitely unique and uniquely difficult, so you need a couple of things worked out before you can rightfully say, “the film biz is for me.”
Alright, I can definitely understand the appeal of the film business. Holey crap man, I remember salivating like a Doberman staring at a jar of peanut butter when the notion of working along side the greats of the movies had entered my mind.
You can be damn sure that it really blew me away at first, the cameras, lights, actors… .Damn man that’s pretty exciting
Yeah, and it is also blazingly cool to be able to say you work in the film industry, well if you live in California about 50% of the people there work in the film business, but when you visit another state you become royalty.
Ok, maybe I am playing up to your fantasies a bit too much, because after the first month the reality will set in. While everything will most likely be cool for a while, you will get over it. And what is left over after that initial stage of amazement is what is important, and will no doubt be a sign of what is to be expected further down the road.
This is what I want to talk about, and it is important to be honest with yourself when describing where the passion comes from, and if it is even there at all.
I have devised a quick little test that will help point you in the right direction, please answer the questions honestly.
- What you know as a long day is now going to be replaced with what the film industry knows as a long day. 15 hours of busting ass 6 days a week is normal. Are you prepared to dedicate yourself to this hectic lifestyle?
- Do you have the ability to stand next to a major actor or actress and pretend like they are just some random person? While this sounds kind of funny, knowing your place is key!
- Ok I know you just spent 4 years at college, your still going to start at the bottom and work your way up. In fact, you will hear the term “paying your dues” undoubtedly in your own quest. Do you have the patience to pay yours, and earn the trust of your employers? It might take a while.
- Can you live on 50-100 bucks a day? Hell you will probably have to work for FREE for a while before you can start to make that.
- Traveling 8 months out of the year on film shoots is how many people live, I don’t want to be a major downer on the topic but many film industry related jobs make having a family (or at least a family with you in it for any significant amount of time) rather difficult.
- Like making plans months ahead of time? Well unless your at the stage in your own film career where you can chose jobs, your going to have to take what people are giving, and this might lead to some difficulty in that department.
Alright, I think I have dived into the sacrifices enough. Sure with every walk in life you will have to adjust to make things fit, and it is no different in the film industry.
Honesty is key here, and there are certain things you will have to explore personally before you will be able to know for sure if this is the right place for you. There is nothing wrong with saying to hell with it and coming down to work any ways.
I know I have learned such a great deal from the film industry; it has made me into a better person who can deal with the pressures of work and life with ease. If nothing else it is a great experience, and I recommend it to everybody I can. It in a way will help you find yourself, and if in the end you find that that person wants to work in the film industry then all the better. If however you find it’s just not for you, you will have some hardcore life experience behind your belt, and most definitely some funny stories to tell your buddies.
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