Industry Questions

[CDUBB_CW]

Hi Guys,

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here. This is definitely the best Forum regarding film discussions.

I have a few questions that I need opinions on.

1. When do you decide to quit your full time job and pursue career in film/video production full time?
Majority of my projects have been music videos or ads for small businesses. All my equipment are rented via membership discount. Therefore I can rent equipment required and make some extra cash during weekends. My concern is 'What if I do not get sufficient clients?' I figure I will have to market myself to get clients.

2. I have an idea for my first script, however what are the benefits monetary of shooting indie films? I can't afford to be making short films without getting paid. Also, for the directors on here, how many years of voluntary work did you finally start getting paid.

I have a passion for directing music videos and eventually want to begin shooting films. I am approaching 30 soon with 2 kids and a wife, that's why I am posing these questions. So I don't want anyone thinking I am in it for the money because that's not the case.

Thanks and Regards,

 

[sfoster]

H2. I have an idea for my first script, however what are the benefits monetary of shooting indie films? I can't afford to be making short films without getting paid

the monetary benefits are a long shot. Most indie films lose money.

 

[ChimpPhobiaFilms]

1. When do you decide to quit your full time job and pursue career in film/video production full time?

When you've found a way to make money from your craft. You either have the ability to do so or you don't.

I have an idea for my first script, however what are the benefits monetary of shooting indie films?

None... if you don't have a good distribution plan. You have to have a way to successfully market and share your film... you have to find an audience and a way to get their attention to get them to watch your work. It's all more complicated that you could even imagine.

I can't afford to be making short films without getting paid. Also, for the directors on here, how many years of voluntary work did you finally start getting paid.

Everyone's different. Perhaps you should just start now, offer your services for a small amount of money and begin working your way up.

---

You sound like a good guy. Best of luck with your future filmmaking endeavors.

 

[jax_rox]

1. When do you decide to quit your full time job and pursue career in film/video production full time?

When you have the appropriate client base/network of contacts who will pay you a rate that will allow you to justify quitting your job.

What that rate is, and how many jobs you need to get per week or per month is dependent entirely on you.

Personally, I went straight into 'full time' film work - and by that I mean I had no other job. Being available when others may not have been (i.e. weekdays) is something that I think helped my career a lot. On top of that, there's a certain drive you get when you have no other source of income that essentially forces you to find the necessary work - you need to eat, don't you?

I figure I will have to market myself to get clients.

The one thing I dislike about this business is that everyone has to be a businessman. Unless you can find a position doing what you want to do within an already established production company, then you have to be a businessman, on top of a creative artist. You need to sell yourself and/or your company, whether you're starting a small video business, or freelancing as a DP/Gaffer/Soundie etc.

You have to be able to sell yourself - and IMO selling yourself is much harder than selling anything else. Especially if you're not the 'cocky salesman' type. Until you're at the very top of your game, you will be selling yourself every day - even if that means doing your job so good that people want you back on their next project.

2. I have an idea for my first script, however what are the monetary benefits of shooting indie films?

It really depends. If financing the movie yourself, then generally the answer is none, and any money spent on the film will take a long time to come back (if ever at all).

Always use someone else's money to make a film. Make friends with a Producer, and get some investors interested - even if it's only via Kickstarter.

The catch 22 is that it's hard to convince people to pay you if you don't have experience as something, but it's hard to dedicate yourself to doing something if you're not getting paid.

Make some small no-budget shorts, and then go for your bigger movie? Perhaps establish a client base of corporate clients that you can use the profits from to put towards your film.

What many do is work full time in the film industry as a way of 'working their way up' - for example if you're interested in being a Director, starting as a PA, then perhaps moving up to a 2nd AD, 1st AD, and then eventually use the contacts and know-how you've gained via working full time on sets to make your own film with yourself (getting paid) as Director.

There's no right or wrong way, and there's no way that works for everybody - otherwise everyone would be working full time successfully in the film biz!

It also can depend on the local industry - how big/small is it and how many opportunities are there for newbies? How many newbies are there vying for the opportunities?


I can't afford to be making short films without getting paid. Also, for the directors on here, how many years of voluntary work did you finally start getting paid.

I have a passion for directing music videos and eventually want to begin shooting films. I am approaching 30 soon with 2 kids and a wife, that's why I am posing these questions. So I don't want anyone thinking I am in it for the money because that's not the case.

Thanks and Regards,[/QUOTE]