tough decision

dlevanchuk

dlevanchuk

yesterday i had quite tough decision..

received a new job offer from my company (Boeing), to perform a functional test on Boeing 767 avionics and flight controls.. but the catch is - my work hours would be from 2pm to 1030pm.. which are my filmmaking hours.

I couldn't do it.. many coworkers told me that was an idiotic decision, and i put my hobbies on higher priority than it should be.

Was rejecting an exciting new job opportinuity to test flight functionality of jet liners, and keeping long hours, stressfull high expensed hobby with no income an idiotic move? im sure it was, but I think these decisions sort of test me how bad do I want to be good at what i love doing the most, which is filmmaking..

Did anybody else had to make a tough choice, similar to this one? maybe not for filmmaking, but other things?
 
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Not a stupid decision at all. I probably would have done the same thing in your situation. What's the point of having a high-paying job if you don't have time to do what you want with that high pay? And unless functional testing of jets is your dream job (or a necessary step on the path to your dream job), the hours wouldn't be worth it if it takes away from filmmaking.

I work for myself so that I have time to pursue my hobbies. I can take time off when I need to, work the hours I need to, etc. so that I have time to write and to make films. I could get a "regular job" (as so many in my family are fond of calling it), but then I wouldn't have the flexibility to do what I love. Plus, I like my day job, so that doesn't hurt. :)
 
If you want to succeed at something it has to be a priority. That's the difference between a hobby and a business venture. Sure it might not pay now, but the idea is that hopefully the work you're doing for free now makes way for paid ventures in the future.

Even if it is just a hobby, life isn't all about the next promotion or how much you make. Work should be the thing that takes up the least amount of time possible but paying for the down time when you're really living.

And final argument, my best friend was on second shift for a while at Lockheed and hated it. Even if you didn't make movies, you wouldn't ever see any friends or spend time with people except the odd weekend and you'd always be tired. He just got switched back to first and couldn't be happier about it.
 
PaulGriffith said:
And final argument, my best friend was on second shift for a while at Lockheed and hated it. Even if you didn't make movies, you wouldn't ever see any friends or spend time with people except the odd weekend and you'd always be tired. He just got switched back to first and couldn't be happier about it.
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That's a great point. My husband used to work similar hours (5-10 part time and then switched to 12-8) and we never saw anyone except sometimes on weekends. He was so happy to switch to regular office hours.
 
I work from 11pm-7am at my full-time job. I've turned down the 7am-3pm schedule a few times. I actually make more income from doing part-time freelance video jobs during normal hours than I do working full-time for a TV station. I keep my main job mainly for the health insurance and other benefits. If I switched to normal hours I'd lose out on most of my freelance gigs.
 
thank u for your replies!

i did work 3 to 11 before... and it freaking SUCKED!

im glad there is a support from fellow film enthusiasts. Just cant see myself giving up the thrill saying "Action!!" :))
 
For years I worked a crappy retail job, passing by jobs that paid significantly more with better working conditions (specifically, a DBA job that would mean I wouldn't have to see people). I didn't like the job, but I loved the lifestyle that I could lead. I had funny hair, spent all day surfing an unrestricted internet (when there were no customers in the store). I kept a guitar and a fiddle in the store, would practice when I was alone and spent my lunch breaks playing on the street. If the store hadn't closed (the days of very small independent office supply stores are sadly near the end), I'd still be there. My current job pays about twice as much, and I still have time to do music, but it's not nearly as pleasant of a lifestyle.

On the other side of the coin, one of the best drummers I know is currently working a job that keeps him busy Wed-Sunday evenings. Which means he can't play in a band these days. It saddens me, but he's happy with his job.
 
dlevanchuk said:
yesterday i had quite tough decision..

received a new job offer from my company (Boeing), to perform a functional test on Boeing 767 avionics and flight controls.. but the catch is - my work hours would be from 2pm to 1030pm.. which are my filmmaking hours.

I couldn't do it.. many coworkers told me that was an idiotic decision, and i put my hobbies on higher priority than it should be.

Was rejecting an exciting new job opportinuity to test flight functionality of jet liners, and keeping long hours, stressfull high expensed hobby with no income an idiotic move? im sure it was, but I think these decisions sort of test me how bad do I want to be good at what i love doing the most, which is filmmaking..

Did anybody else had to make a tough choice, similar to this one? maybe not for filmmaking, but other things?
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I don't think it was a stupid decision at all. You strike me as a pretty smart cat, and it sounds to me like you weighed the particulars, and made the decision you were most comfortable with. It might work out, and it might not. Point is you're being stupid. You're just being honest with yourself.
 
well, that was a pretty sweet gig... but its sounds as if you HAVE an existing job that is meeting your needs, so its not a total loss. If you are good enough and have the skills to be offered the position, then likely another one that increases your income AND enables the lifestyle you want will present itself soon enough.
 
dlevanchuk said:
yesterday i had quite tough decision..

received a new job offer from my company (Boeing), to perform a functional test on Boeing 767 avionics and flight controls.. but the catch is - my work hours would be from 2pm to 1030pm.. which are my filmmaking hours.

I couldn't do it.. many coworkers told me that was an idiotic decision, and i put my hobbies on higher priority than it should be.

Was rejecting an exciting new job opportinuity to test flight functionality of jet liners, and keeping long hours, stressfull high expensed hobby with no income an idiotic move? im sure it was, but I think these decisions sort of test me how bad do I want to be good at what i love doing the most, which is filmmaking..

Did anybody else had to make a tough choice, similar to this one? maybe not for filmmaking, but other things?
Click to expand...

Unless you go into the "wild" and start growing your own food, you have to bare in mind you live in a monetary dependable system...
Saying: Oh, "from 2 pm to 10.30 pm is my film making hours" is just childish, if you're risking to loose your house and food supplies...
It's good to follow your dreams and passion, but you can still use your abilities to make money, while you develop yourself as a film maker ...

P.S. This is not an advise. It's just me, talking to myself :)
 
Oh yes, i do have an existing job (troubleshooting turbine generators on Boeing 787), and most certainly i will get another job offer, for more convenient hours.. its just a matter of time. And they're better hurry up before I'll become famous filmmaker ....*dream* ;)
 
right now im work 5am to 2pm and when im off - people are awake and majority of population is getting off of their work.
i can go out and shoot things during day, and meet people..
 
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Your thread made me think about the politics of the film industry...
why making a film (a human being expressing themselves through the art of film making) is so hard...
Why money (what's money anyway) play such a big role...
To make a movie, you need money... to save a human's life, you need money....
We act like zombies, who are ruled by a non existent entity called money...
 
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