I get this question a lot and have a serious opinion about it:
The most important thing is to always keep your shingle hanging
out, saying "I am a freelance director." Never say, "Ah I gave
that up." Even if you have other jobs, never tear up your
business card.
Keep contact with all active filmmakers from college. Work on
their films. It's a business of showing up. Show up to shoots, in
any capacity. Show up enough and do a good job, and be an
ambassador of good will, and you have a good chance on being
invited to work on other films. And remember, be courteous and
respectful to everyone. The extra or stunt man of today's shoot
could be the producer of tomorrow's shoot. It happened to me. One
of my swords women fighters from "Weapons of Death" hired me to
do a travelogue in Phuket, Thailand. And actress Barbara Leigh
just hired me to direct her new audio-book "The King, McQueen,
and the Love Machine", and play the part of Elvis.
My life changed when I realized that I was not only in the
feature film business, but in the COMUNICATION business. Just
like the the USA train companys that thought they were only in
the train business and didn't invest in trucks and airplanes in
the 40's and '50s. They were left behind.
So be a sound man, an extra, an actor, a novelist, a speaker, a
film teacher, (but don't get stuck in a dead end job). Be those
as a freelance. But not a stunt man. It's too dangerous.
Yes, you will direct, but be in the communication business. Also
you must start to develop your own projects that you feel
passionate about. You never know when someone with money will ask
you if you have a project. You should be able to instantly give
him or her a script and budget and location plan and schedule.
Keep watching you favorite films over on DVD. Keep reading books
by directors and watching DVD bonus programs and listening to
commentary tracks. This is an incredible teaching device that
will help program your subconscious to keep you on the right
track.
Most important, to repeat, work on everyone's film. Yes, some
will not appreciate your help, some will not pay you what they
promised, but others will.
You must have some kind of short film or video to show someone
when you get an opportunity.
I've directed six features (did post on many more) and still want
to do more. That's why I did "Hard Rock Lovers" as an audio-book
with famous actors. That's why I have it on ebay listed under
those actors. Maybe a producer who is a fan of those actors will
see it, buy it or request it from me, love the story and ask for
a script, which I have waiting. But more than that, I'm still
talking action on it, by getting it to producers via my agent.
Beware, age 26. That's when all my movie friends gave up. Four
years after college. Their wives, girlfriends, or even parents
said, "Well, you gave it a shot, now you have to get a real job."
Yes, get freelance jobs. I always worked and at night I screened
my first feature to buyers and future investors. Always work, but
work freelance to be available for other film jobs.
Most of all, repeating, stay in touch with every active
filmmaker, and make a contribution, whether it's passing on your
used DVDs, helping to write a project, or whatever. You have to
ask, ask the right people, have something to give, and keep
asking other people.
If your interested in directing for the creative expression and
lifestyle, or to do that one great story you have in your heart,
you'll stay in it. However if you only have the dream of fame
fortune and money, it's hard to stay motivated and will seek
other paths for that.
And the best part is that you can't even imagine the surprises
that come when you follow your dreams. I have too many personal
examples to list here, but it's amazing what comes and how it
comes.
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