Iam an Accountant. BUT, my heart lies w/ FILM MAKING. What should I DO?

Question

I don't want to quit because 1. the money is good and 2. I worked very hard in college, and spent many years to be where I am at today. Also, if I DID quit, finding a job as a working director...well, let's just say the ODDS are AGAINST me. People have suggested to me: DO YOUR DIRECTING ON THE SIDE! I don't think I can make it in the industry just "doing it on the side" because: 1. accounting takes up most of my day (busy season, etc), and 2. I believe in order to have more of a chance to make it, I'd have to have FILM as my focus. It's kinda a dilemma. Any and all suggestions are welcome. THANKS and Happy Holidays!
PS. I don't HATE accounting, I just feel that my days are being wasted with it.

Answer 1

I am also and accountant (and college student). However, I am also a published author and have dabled in documentary filmmaking. I always say that we do what we hate so we can do what we love. Let's face it. Right now there are thousands of 20 year olds getting PhDs in film and shooting to fill the 10-15 professional filmmaking jobs open in the country. The numbers just don't add up. I am sorry, but "do it on the side" sometimes works. Start out as an indie filmmaker. Make some short films and launch them online. If people really like them then maybe devote more time to it, but I would not leave a great career path like accounting for such a shot in the dark.

We do what we hate so we can do what we love. My job funds my publishing hobby. If you are really focused you can make hours in the day.

Answer 2

The obvious answer is to enroll in filmmaking at a community college - evening and weekend classes. Also, private colleges exisit just for filmmaking. You can't get your foot in the door without experience. In college you will actually make short films that get seen in the industry. If you know a director or a cinematographer or such you can shadow or work on a film with them. You must have the experience unless dame luck walks in and an up and coming group asks you, Mr. Unknown who knows very little about the biz, to direct their video. You do, it wins and award and you are signed by Universal to direct the musical film vesion of Deamgirls II and it wins more awards than the Dreamgirls film that opens in two weeks is going to.
Experience. Education and experience. Attend a major filmmaking college such as USC and you get to intern on a major film.

Answer 3

Some ideas:

1. Try working as an accountant for a film company, then you can learn the business from the inside

2. Start to set money aside for your dream of film making. Set aside at least 10 percent of your income.

3. Try doing internet film-making. start your own web site and post your films there. This way you get your name out.

4. Talk to people in the industry, go to the Sundance Film Festival and talk with other film-makers. Find out how they are doing it.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 4

I think trying to get into film making slowly would be best. Try to make contacts in the film industry. Save up money so you can give up your accounting job. See how much money it would take to start out. Learn as much as you can about it. Take film making courses if you can. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 5

My husband loved the entertainment business. He follow one of his friends away from Hollywood and met me. He loves numbers and accounting is "candy" to him. He could not make enough money in the film industry, so he got himself an MBA.

Do what you love but make sure you make enough money.

Answer 6

i think u should save your money to try and brake in to showbiz so u can have a good life if u stop doing accountant and don't make any money.

Answer 7

I know the feeling. We are only here once. Make it count!