What did you eventually do? Are you happy with your choice?
Future professions
- Thread starter Crownom
- Start date
What did you eventually do? Are you happy with your choice?
Hi, Crownom
Mmm... No you won't.
Maybe the job market for doctors, dentists, and other lead (rather than support) medical professionals in Lithuania is different than here in the U.S. - but no graduate here is "guaranteed" anything.
A doctor or dentist can easily graduate, apply to a multitude of partnerships or research positions, hang out their own shingle, and still fail fantastically.
Granted, there's a higher demand for headline professionals, but I'll concede there is a considerable diminished risk of unemployment for them than for quixotic occupations such as "film director."
Any occupation has twenty times more people that WANT to do it than people that CAN do it, doctor and director alike.
What do you spend your time thinking of?
What is the nature of the problems do you find your mind constantly solving?
You can do WHAT better than those around you?
Search for "vocational assessment tests" that you can best determine an occupational field where your personality and education cross, then research several of those fields in depth.
Many people mistake appreciation for participation.
As in "Although I appreciate music that does not mean that I can produce music."
"I may like sports. That doesn't mean I could ever be a competitive athlete."
"I like films and movies. Does that really mean I would make a good director?"
I have no idea what on Earth a masters in filmmaking or directing could possibly be good for (other than separating a fool from his money.)
Have you even conducted a web search for an answer to this?
Have you even researched on HOW to get the money to produce a feature?
Have you researched to see WHAT to do before and after you've produced your feature?
Obviously... But I guess everyone wants a safe job in the end.
Nevertheless, can it be that it's not as miserable as it sounds. Is it possible that's it's not that hard to find a job?
I have an MA, and I've never used it, but I loved my time there - education is for its own sake, so you can know the ways of the world. So, if you really want to pursue a Masters in Film, and you can get the finances, DO IT!
Not everyone wants a safe job in the end...or rather, not everyone wants a safe career. I've turned down jobs making more money than I have in the past 10 years because it wouldn't leave me time to pursue what I really love. I don't want to raise a family. I don't want to own real estate. I want to, at some point in my life, make my living (even at my current standard of living) doing what I love (for me, it's music).
Now, you have to pay the rent, right? So I've had a series of menial day jobs. My bills are always paid, food is on the table, and 40 hours of my life per week (well, closer to 50 counting lunchbreaks and commuting) are tied up with it. But (and this is the key part), no more than that. As a programmer, I was regularly clocking over 80 hours per week (oh, and no overtime pay for that). I had no time or energy to pursue anything that meant anything to me. Sure, I was making money, and it was a good, safe job leading to a career. At the end of the day, that wasn't where I wanted my life to go. I'm currently a receptionist. Steady pay, and I never have to take work home with me.
Now, it's possible that I'll never reach my goal. While I would like to (again, that IS my goal), that my life is spent working towards that is enough for me to feel like I'm living a satisfying life. That might not be enough for you. Everyone is different, and we all have different things that we feel are important. Do what feels right for you...to quote, "there's only one way of life, and that's your own"
Now, you have to pay the rent, right? So I've had a series of menial day jobs. My bills are always paid, food is on the table, and 40 hours of my life per week (well, closer to 50 counting lunchbreaks and commuting) are tied up with it. But (and this is the key part), no more than that. As a programmer, I was regularly clocking over 80 hours per week (oh, and no overtime pay for that). I had no time or energy to pursue anything that meant anything to me. Sure, I was making money, and it was a good, safe job leading to a career. At the end of the day, that wasn't where I wanted my life to go. I'm currently a receptionist. Steady pay, and I never have to take work home with me.
Now, it's possible that I'll never reach my goal. While I would like to (again, that IS my goal), that my life is spent working towards that is enough for me to feel like I'm living a satisfying life. That might not be enough for you. Everyone is different, and we all have different things that we feel are important. Do what feels right for you...to quote, "there's only one way of life, and that's your own"
It's not "reckless" if there is no other choice emotionally. And it's not "without thinking," you are willing to accept the consequences. But you have to set up goals. And that's why you do it when you're young; after a few years of failure you can reassess. It's the steady progression of successes that keeps you moving.
That extreme passion takes you to places you never expected. I started out on the "I want to be a rock star" path when I got out of high school. I subordinated my entire life to it. After a few years I had a long conversation with someone who was a true legend in the industry, and I altered my course a little. But I never would have had the opportunity to meet him if I had not burned with that all-consuming passion. And I had a very satisfying, profitable career.
BTW, if you're wondering why I'm still not pursuing that course, arthritis prevented me from physically performing my chosen profession, otherwise I would still be rockin' out; but that's another story...
I also think that you misunderstand my concept of hard work. How many hours have you put into becoming a filmmaker this week? At 18 years old I was working a full-time job (6am - 2pm M-F), an 11-hour per week music related part-time job (3pm - 6pm MWF, 10am - noon Sat.), another five hour per week music related part-time job (7am - noon Sun.), rehearsing nine hours a week with a band ( 8pm - 11pm TTF) and practicing my instrument every day. I had no social life, very rarely saw my family and sleep was something to daydream about. Granted this only lasted about six months until the band started working and I could drop the regular FT job, but that's what I mean about subordinating your life to your career.
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Making a film requires many different skills and talents. A Masters
Degree in Film will not prove to a studio you can produce a film. A
Masters Degree in Film will not prove to a producer you can direct
a film. A Masters Degree in Film will not show a producer you can
write a screenplay. A Masters Degree in Film will not prove to a
director that you are the right DP for a project.
There is no list because a Masters Degree in Film means nothing
in the real world.
If you want to be a producer that is what you have to do - and you
can do that without a Masters Degree in Film. If you want to direct
a movie that is what you have to do - and you can do that without
a Masters Degree in Film.
First you need to decide what you want to do. You don't even know
what you want to do - how can you get good at what you don't even
understand? Do you want to be a locations manager? A production
designer? An art director? An editor? Each one of those is a job option
available in filmmaking and each one needs a different educational
background. And a Masters Degree in Film isn't the educational
background you need for those jobs.
You asked Alcove, “isn’t that a bit reckless?” and the answer is yes.
Getting into filmmaking at any level is reckless. It is NOT a career for
someone like you. You need some sort of stability. Filmmaking as a
career is reckless and there is no guarantee you will ever make any
money at all. Even if you get Masters Degree in Film.
I agree with you, Crownom, diving in without thinking about the
consequences is childish and foolish and immature. You are none of
those. I was (and am) all three. And I have loved every, single moment
of my career and life because I dove into this business without thinking
about the consequences.
No it is not. You have a choice. Take the safer option.
Hang on - I am in the safer option, BUT there is no luckier person than someone who likes his job. If Crownom wants to be a filmmaker, and he's willing to wait on tables to pay his rent, he should do it. You, Rik have loved every minute of your job, so would YOU take the safer option? Of course not, and rightly so.
No, no, no - finish school, then go to college - you may want to be a filmmaker, but you should also play it smart. Unless you want to be a teen idol or something, time is on your side, so be smart and use it well.
Yeah, this is exactly what I mean. Imagine if something happens and you are not able to be a filmmaker anymore. What then? Didn't finish school, have no degree? You've been reckless and irresponsible.
Because I think about it, people say I don't feel that passion, it's not for me etc. Can't I be simply careful and thinking one step ahead?
Pfft.
No.
You gotta think five steps ahead with eight contingency plans to each step.
Matrix, not linear.
No
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It's decided! I know what i want, i know how to get it!
Since doctors do invest in films, if you can get through all of the schooling to become a doctor, go for it and make filmmaking a hobby. You won't have to worry about where your next meal is coming from or how you will pay your rent.
Pfft.
No.
You gotta think five steps ahead with eight contingency plans to each step.
Matrix, not linear.
NoYes
http://www.google.lt/imgres?q=are+y...w=130&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:69
If you become a doctor, let me know who you are so I don't have you doing my heart surgery when I'm old. I don't think I want to be operated on by someone thinking about films! 
Maybe pick a high earning profession where you don't have to be 100% focused or someone dies.
Just a thought
Maybe pick a high earning profession where you don't have to be 100% focused or someone dies.
Just a thought
Hello,
As I get closer and closer into joining university, I have a dilemma. I like filming, creating films, shorts etc. and it'd be nice to study Film Production in uni. Nevertheless, it got me thinking. Alright, I graduate from University and what do I do then? It imagine it won't be as easy to get employed as in other profession. What are my options at work then? Try to get employd by TV, teach at similar uni, make an indie film (where to get the budget; once made- how to "sell" it)?? It really worries me because there is no guarranteed safe place, whereas, medicine- you will always get a job...
Another thing is that in school I'm very good at everything and it's hard to decide what to do. If I sucked at most things it would be easy to see my only options. Now I can do law, medicine, engineering, name it!
Sorry for crying herebut could you help me by poiting out some options or possible directions?
For example, I can study medicine, get a guaranteed job as a doctor, get high wages etc. and do filmmaking as a hobby with money I earn. What's your opinion?
P.S. It's not that I don't like filmmaking "enough", it's just that I have a lot of options and not sure which would work out best. I mean if I was a medium student in school I'd totally go to Film Production, but now (don't want to boast) I'm capable of something more like spending 10 years learning medicine.
Help a lost guy!!