I need to make a decision and wonder how you guys think about this.

[blackartfilm]

Hello.

To explain this problem, I need to go back a little.

Since I was a young child, my parents let me watch lots of indie/B&W movies. As a child watching these movies
inspired me in a lots of different ways (I lived half of my life in South Korea). But it was hard to get along and talk to other people about those movies, I loved. They weren't just not into this area. I felt so alone. Losing my dad in early age left me no one to talk about movies anymore.

Age 15, I moved to America. Oregon. It wasn't that hard to get along with people. I rather felt more comfortable living here. I love this place! and I found a filmmaking class in high school. It was turning point in my life. Creative writing/ Graphic Design/ Filmmaking/ Theater Art/ Acting classes. I took all the classes that would help me to become a better filmmaker.

Age 20, I moved to California. For the new step of my life. Getting into a film school. I applied for 1 year filmmaking class in NYFA. Everything was good, talk about movies with friends, met my wife in school.(Yes, I got married in early age).

But now I'm in such a big dilemma. I had to drop off from school. because of tuition problem. I just didn't have enough money to support for the school and my family. My mom used to send me some money to help
out. but now, she's little too old and she needs to help my younger brother than myself. First, I tried to get a job around the film industry area. But I didn't have enough experience(BFA) or CONNECTION. So I decided to get any kind of job in mcdonalds,vons and small shops. But this didn't work out well either. No job experience = No job for me. and i don't have any relative down here too.

Now I'm living off my saving and my wife's money. Sometime I think 'What if I took different pass?'. Maybe then I could have support my family. But I'm not going to regret. I already choose my way to become a hungry artist. I love film and never going give up.

So now my question is 'Is there any places I can get a help from?'
If it was only me, i wouldn't mind. but I don't want to see my wife suffering with me.

Thanks for reading and hope you guys have a great day!

 

[Cracker Funk]

 

[TheKoreandonut]

Hey man, I know what you're going through,

I actually live in Korea right now. I have a job, and I use some of my finances to fund my filmmaking. My wife doesn't really care for this. I feel that the film industry is extremely competetive and cut throat. Everyone's in it for themselves. You are their rival. They feel that you succeeding would take away their chances of making it big. At the same time, you want to succeed but you risk making a hard ship for you and your wife. Here's my advice;

Believe it or not, there are people that will help you, you just have to find them, make connections. Hang out a film school, meet people that are doing the same thing as you and learn from them.

Maybe your family or friends have some event they need filmed. Do it for free provided that they cover all the filming expenses. You wont get any money but you'll get experience and you won't be going into your pockets. I don't recommend any films at this point, because more often than not, people jack it up and you will have wasted money for something that no one will want to spend 2 mins watching.

Everything you film -- make sure it's the best you can do -- don't rush it. If you do this then you will get a good rep for someone who's serious about their work. You still won't get money!

Finally, once you get to a level where you are comfortable with your craft -- make a film, a short. Make a few. Try to make it as low budget as possible. Many times you don't need to pay actors if they're interested in what you're doing. You'll have to use some of your salary but don't waste it. Only make something that you know that others will find interesting.

Once you do all this, you might very well convince someone to hire/fund you for a bigger project. I started off with filming my friends. Then I moved on to aspiring actors. Now I'm working with actual performers. And that's purely because I didn't give up. As long as you keep trying...you'll make progress. And always come here for advice. Everyone here is very helpful and won't lead you wrong...they helped me out a lot.

This is just my advice, but it works for me.

TKD

 

[dlevanchuk]

To op:

So what's the dillema?

Find a job. Any job.

 

[directorik]

So now my question is 'Is there any places I can get a help from?'
If it was only me, i wouldn't mind. but I don't want to see my wife suffering with me.

I don't understand what you are asking.

Are you looking for financial help?
Are you looking for encouragement from fellow filmmakers?
Are you looking for a job?

 

[blackartfilm]

Sorry for not making this clear and thanks for all the replies.

My Dilemma was 'Should I give up my film career or not?'. But I already decide this myself to stay.

and Yes. I'm looking for a job and financial help.

 

[blackartfilm]

Hey man, I know what you're going through,

I actually live in Korea right now. I have a job, and I use some of my finances to fund my filmmaking. My wife doesn't really care for this. I feel that the film industry is extremely competetive and cut throat. Everyone's in it for themselves. You are their rival. They feel that you succeeding would take away their chances of making it big. At the same time, you want to succeed but you risk making a hard ship for you and your wife. Here's my advice;

Believe it or not, there are people that will help you, you just have to find them, make connections. Hang out a film school, meet people that are doing the same thing as you and learn from them.

Maybe your family or friends have some event they need filmed. Do it for free provided that they cover all the filming expenses. You wont get any money but you'll get experience and you won't be going into your pockets. I don't recommend any films at this point, because more often than not, people jack it up and you will have wasted money for something that no one will want to spend 2 mins watching.

Everything you film -- make sure it's the best you can do -- don't rush it. If you do this then you will get a good rep for someone who's serious about their work. You still won't get money!

Finally, once you get to a level where you are comfortable with your craft -- make a film, a short. Make a few. Try to make it as low budget as possible. Many times you don't need to pay actors if they're interested in what you're doing. You'll have to use some of your salary but don't waste it. Only make something that you know that others will find interesting.

Once you do all this, you might very well convince someone to hire/fund you for a bigger project. I started off with filming my friends. Then I moved on to aspiring actors. Now I'm working with actual performers. And that's purely because I didn't give up. As long as you keep trying...you'll make progress. And always come here for advice. Everyone here is very helpful and won't lead you wrong...they helped me out a lot.

This is just my advice, but it works for me.

TKD

Yes, I've been actually helping my friends who I met over at the school. I guess your right, what I need to is to take my time. Thanks for the advice!

 

[directorik]

Sorry for not making this clear and thanks for all the replies.

My Dilemma was 'Should I give up my film career or not?'. But I already decide this myself to stay.

Good to hear. It ain't easy, is it?

and Yes. I'm looking for a job and financial help.

Where are you looking for work?
Who are you hoping to get financial help from? Are you asking us
for places to get financial help?

 

[gpforet]

There are many of us who work a career to pay the bills, and pursue filmmaking on the side. It's not necessarily one or the other. Many do both. I have decided I will not leave my day job until my filmmaking work is matching my daytime income. I can be completely satisfied with making films on weekends and vacation days.
Filmmaking feeds my soul, my day job feeds my family. I hope one day to be able to do what I love AND earn a decent living doing it.

I'm not sure why you refer to your filmmaking as your career when you are not earning a living from it.

Sorry for not making this clear and thanks for all the replies.

My Dilemma was 'Should I give up my film career or not?'. But I already decide this myself to stay.

and Yes. I'm looking for a job and financial help.

 

[blackartfilm]

There are many of us who work a career to pay the bills, and pursue filmmaking on the side. It's not necessarily one or the other. Many do both. I have decided I will not leave my day job until my filmmaking work is matching my daytime income. I can be completely satisfied with making films on weekends and vacation days.
Filmmaking feeds my soul, my day job feeds my family. I hope one day to be able to do what I love AND earn a decent living doing it.

I'm not sure why you refer to your filmmaking as your career when you are not earning a living from it.

haha you're right. I've been doing it for awhile. I thought it became my career.