Take boring(but well paid) job or keep on applying for more 'film' related ones?

ajedproduction

ajedproduction

My dream is to be a commercial/music video/short film director and to eventually make the transition into feature films. I really would love to get into a advertising/video production agency, making music videos and adverts.

I've got an interview for a corporate/marketing video job. The job involves camera operating(mainly interviews) and some editing. Looking at their videos, it's not the most artistic or creative job. But it pays well(£20k).

I'm already doing two internships, both of which are more creative than this job offer. But they don't guarantee me a job.

So I have two options:

1. Take this job, use the money to buy better equipment(Red Scarlet, etc) and fund my short film projects. Then when I'm ready, leave the job and become a freelance owner/operator of my expensive camera and then hopefully get into a better/more creative/artistic company, doing the kinds of videos I want to be doing.

2. Don't take the job. Continue with my two internships, hopefully one will hire me. If they don't I will continue applying for other jobs/internships until I land a job that I find exciting and creative.

Can anyone please give me some advice/opinions on what I should do?

Thank you
 
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There's no right or wrong answer, but I would take the job and the money, because good-paying jobs are hard to find these days. Then, with a steady paycheck, look for a better paying job that has better work. That is the story of my career, for what that's worth.

Good luck and tell us how it goes. :)
 
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Definitely go to the interview.

Feels like you might be jumping the gun slightly, bearing in mind the fact they'll be interviewing 20-50 candidates for the job. But I definitely think you should try your hardest to get it and then you can make big decisions about your life from a position of security. It's much easier to pursue your dream career if you have a job than it is if you're unemployed and scraping for rent. It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping occupied is what will give you the real freedom to explore your goals.
 
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Thanks for the advice guys, I'm definitely going for the interview and I'll see how I feel.

Just a bit more info, they told me they're only interviewing 4 people out of those who applied. Not to sound like I'm bragging or anything but I've got a good record with interviews, that's the only reason I'm jumping the gun a little bit. Obviously I could end up getting rejected, but I like to enter with a positive mind set :P Laws of attraction.

Also, I'm very fortunate to be in a stable position at the moment. I've just graduated, so I still live with my parents (who aren't in any rush to kick me out yet haha) and I have a part time retail job, so I'm not struggling for rent or anything like that. I feel like I can afford to take some risks at this point in my life(it might be my last chance to have this level of stability whilst not being in full time employment). That's really the only reason I'm having second thoughts about this job.

But anyways, I'm 100% going to the interview and will do my best. Like you said well paying jobs in this industry and few and far between, so if they do offer it to me, I think I'll take it. If I do end up hating it, at least I'll have good experience under my belt and can apply to the kinds of companies I really want to work for.

Thanks :)
 
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TAKE THE JOB GEEZE.

The corporate gig will teach you how to actually execute a project. How to work with customers who aren't always easy to get along with, all without any RISK to your bottom line. Your going to have to learn all those soft project management\people skills when you go freelance anyway, so might as well do it AND get paid at the same time!
 
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Wheat is absolutely right; take the freakin' job. It's not creative? Make it creative! Shoot corporate videos that look and sound as great as possible within the restrictions imposed upon you.
 
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For what it's worth, I work in a non-video related job that pays me very well. With this money I am able to make more films and videos on weekends and network with others in the industry. You are actually going to be doing video work, which is nice. I'd take the money and use it to continue to create especially when good paying jobs are hard to find. Plus, it will look good on your resume if nothing else.

You don't have to do it forever and you really don't have to pick one or the other. My two cents is to make the money now and shoot more film related projects on nights and weekends.
 
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wheatgrinder said:
TAKE THE JOB GEEZE.

The corporate gig will teach you how to actually execute a project.
Click to expand...
Seriously. How is this even more than a passing, unspoken question?

A job in the field will give you insights you have utterly no clues about right now. The less you know, the more you think you know. Philosophized for years, it's been proven that people overestimate their abilities based proportionally on their ignorance. You are probably suffering from it now.

The other advantage of the job, besides money, is leveraging for a later job with experience. But there might also be fringe benefits, such as being able to borrow equipment for making your own films. (Obviously, get permission.)

You should break your ass trying to make sure you get an offer, because despite your claimed success rate, I see you only have a 1 in 4 chance unless you know who's competing for it.
 
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Like the others have said, I'm also thinking that some time spent at a stable job getting some job experience is liable to look good on your resume or reel to future employers who might hire you to film their more "sexy" commercials and music videos.

You didn't say you're dream is to be a feature film maker. But I often think of how the Scott brothers got their starts in making commercials.

Good luck!



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