Staying Sane

Whether you're an actor, writer, director, crew member, composer, or all of the above you're going to have to:

1) Make money somehow. If not in the filmmaking business then with a "day job".

2) Build your filmmaking resume so you can get higher profile and higher paying jobs.

3) Build your networking contacts through internet networking sites, meetings with friends of friends, and networking parties.

4) Keep your morale and motivation up when you're not catching breaks or when you're getting rejected left and right.

5) Take enough work to build your experience and resume and maybe make a little money while not taking so much work you're burning the candle at both ends.

This is a massive ongoing juggling act. The best way through it is to have a clear goal in mind and weigh everything you do against that goal. For instance, if your goal is to be a Director, you should only take the jobs (free or otherwise) that help you on that path. That might mean working under great directors in your area, taking classes, buying good directors lunch so you can pick their brains, or doing free work for a great director in exchange for mentoring. What wouldn't help you on this path is to spend a year as a set decorator who is finished working before the filming even starts. Sure, you're in the business but is that really helping your goal?

That's just an example, but you see the point.

This doesn't mean you don't take odd jobs to make money or gain contacts, it just means you need to give a higher priority to those jobs that will further your goal. If a six week job as a set decorator is going to keep you from a one week job working as the personal assistant of a great director, then your choice should be obvious. And it will be IF you have a clear goal and weigh everything you do towards that goal.

This is precisely why, as much as this blog means to me, sometimes I will go a week without posting. If writing here is taking away from one of my goal oriented projects, my choice is clear.

And it should be for you as well. That's one way to make sure you're not overextending yourself or that, if you are, at least you're working towards your ultimate goal.