Aspirations to be in Movie Industry (Read)?
Question by Matt: Aspirations to be in Movie Industry (Read)?
I am only 15 years old and a sophomore in high school though I really want to make it in the movie industry one day as some sort of writer/director. I was just curious to what I can be doing now to prepare and allow me to experience the area a little more. Are there any screen writing or short film contests? Any sorts of activities? Or any other advice at all would be appreciated, THANKS!
Best answer:
Answer by Photon
If you want to be a writer, READ and write. Can’t be a writer without writing. Try challenging yourself by not writing scifi or hack and slash, always a favorite with young people. I’m not saying there isn’t room for another Steven King or George Lucas success story. I just think you need to see if there is a “Stand by Me” or “Good Will Hunting” in you too. When all you watch or play in games is scifi and gore it’s easy tho think, “I can do that.” Yes, you probably can. But “The Green Mile” isn’t “Cujo” and “Star Wars” isn’t “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Don’t be a one note Johnny. You might surprise yourself with what you are capable of and what you learn about yourself in the process. Work on the writing first. Without the word, there is nothing to direct. I don’t know much about contests and festivals even though I am in the business. Others may post some help there.
There is currently an “Independent Lens” segment on PBS about a kid in Iraq who had a youtube video seen by a producer at MTV. See it before it goes out of rotation. You will see an egotistical idiot throw away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be on the inside from the get go. He thinks he is above doing all the menial things they ask him to do on set. “It’s not my job.” He’s to limited in vision and real destire to realize any job they want him to do is his job. He doesn’t understand that he needs to make himself indespensible to all around him. That doesn’t mean he has to kiss butt. What it means is be the first to arrive on set and the last to leave each day. If they want it you get it. Next time, have it with you before they want it. Never say yes and not deliver. When people are depending on you, excuses are not an option. If you are not in the hospital or dead, you have no excuse. On a movie set, holding things up for ten minutes could cost $ 10,000. I forgot or didn’t have time isn’t going to fly. So, NEVER say yes if ther is any doubt that you can deliver. They would rather give it to someone who will follow through than hear an excuse later. When they give him an editing oportunity for a gag reel, he blows that on a party. People who are unaware of his past performance keep giving him new opportunities and he keeps sabatoging himself. He keeps bumming money from people and calling in favors he hasn’t earned to keep his work visa so he won’t be sent home. People keep helping and he keeps screwing it up and they lose faith and trust in him. After the PBS show, I would be surprised if anyone give him a job in the industry if they see it. I wouldn’t.
You don’t have to go to film school or get a film degree to get work or succeed in the industry. Film school is valuable for the connections you can make if you go to one of the “right” ones. You do not need it to work in the industry though. This is the one business where if you do it and make money at it, they won’t ask you for a sheepskin to enter the door. Make one lousy little $ 100,000 movie that grosses a few small million and they don’t care where you come from. Just do it for us.
I am not saying don’t try to study your craft and learn what makes good cinema. This is a business where you must constantly keep learning and from time to time reinvent yourself. Just don’t fret about the film school thing. I you can tell a story in a compelling way, you can write your own ticket. There are all kinds of technicians to handle all the other stuff.
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