There is a huge tendancy to give up when the going gets tough. Whether it is a math problem (run to the prof/teacher), essay structure (run to the TA with every clue how to mark you badly but no clue how to help), an athletic injury, or...
...finding a job...
*que Psycho music here*
IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA!!!!!
dUN DUn DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!!
..okay seriously
There is a huge trend, although not surprising, of talented young minds with the artful ability to make films or be in film that are giving up. They will build websites, have equipment, make amazing internet videos, and then they tell you "I LOOOVE IT. But. Its too competitive so I'm becoming a lawyer/Teacher.
Not that I have anything against lawyers and teachers but WHYYY!?
In order to maintain a tough goal you need to put your full focus on what you want to do, if you use a fallback degree for those "just in case" or "i give ups" scenarios what was the point of flaunting it all before hand. Let me tell you something. The ones who walked away from their dream jobs, JUST GAVE ME ONE. Well not now but statistically too many are giving up, the film business is cliquy, and not in the high school way but in the way that you need to know somebody who knows somebody who knows and obscure website that helps you apply for these jobs. (and like all others I will give it to you if you ask. Or find it hiding in this post as a link ;))
Facing rejection is a tough road, one in which had taken me 2 years to finally get a solid phone call from a media project. A degree is a great thing to have, but even moreso is a credit in a show/broadcast/film and the experience that follows it. Employers want that, even for small starting Positions (I just became a PA by the way ^_^) because they want maximum efficiency and expect the most from each member of cast crew and post production team.
Over the summer of 2009 I honestly wanted to give up after being empty handed, but when I realized that I needed something to drive me again (after several spells of in-house insanity) I wrote an eight episode webseries. And thus my feather-in-cap, the trailer, began to enhance my need to start applying again, and earlier.
During the same time this year, after suffering a brutal sprain in a fencing competition, I have continued to be on hiatus from training, but it has not stopped me from doing exercise and strengthening. I have just started this now due to my obligations to prepare for my job, but I feel that the film opportunity was a great kickstart to inspire me to kick my own ass and get into shape again. Although somewhat afraid of re-injury, my mental training will flow alongside my physical. Because when you train alone, you need your thoughts clear and will to be fearless if you are going to go back on piste ready to kill.
So Chins up Job Seekers and Invalids, we will Rise Again
Christian A.V. Petrozza
