I have a dilemma about my future?

Question

OK well my parents are offering to pay for me to go to college and get an Associates degree in anything. But I am very set on going to Las Angeles and going to the New York Film Academy for acting and screenwriting ASAP. I know there is no definite career in those fields but that is all I can see myself doing. My parents won’t pay or even co-sign for me to finance the NYFA School. They will consider financing or even paying for the whole film school if I get my Associates degree but I really don’t like school. I haven’t even graduated high school yet (this year) and I can’t imagine going two more years of traditional school. Plus I would love to show them that I can actually go to LA and make something of myself without college. Also I have been saving up money and researching on getting my credit so I can get financing. I have a well thought out plan but I just want to feel that I made a good decision. Someone have any suggestions? Please help!

Answer 1

I do not find any dilemma about your future. What I find is a young lady whose mind is somehow clouded by a persisting certain desire. I understand that and I can feel your urges. I went through the same thing at a decisive stage of my life. I was 18 when I started writing short stories. My stories were read by my father (PhD in comparative linguistics) and a few famous and successful writers; one of them is a Noble-prize winner. They all were surprised and sincerely encouraged me. One of them, who used to write scripts for episodes on the national TV offered me a contract (he will inspire me with the idea and I will write the script in my eloquent language). At that time I was about to do my BA in comparative linguistics (4 academic years). I decided to do my BA first and in the mean time, I never stopped writing. Now I have a MA, have already published 35 of my short stories, and I am planning for doing my PhD by the end of 2007.

Now, being that said please open up, cast those urges aside momentarily and listen...

I am positive that your parents love you and wish you nothing but success in your life, but their life experience and understanding of the little girl they brought up as well as their desire that you have a secure future may make them stubborn. It has nothing to do with whether they doubt your abilities or not, but it has everything to do with what is called tough love.

Therefore, when there is tough love involved and both parties are gripping on to their decision, the best thing to do is to compromise; reach a decision that will make everybody happy in a win-win situation.

You have already mentioned "offering to pay for me to go to college and get an Associates degree in anything.” The buzzing word here is ANYTHING. Now let us have a look at this.

You have not yet finished your high school and want to delve into acting and screenwriting:

1. How much literature on the subject have you read so far?

2. How many roles have you so far played and it really showed that you are gifted?

3. How many scripts so far have you written?

You do not get the above through schooling only as at schools they can not spoon-feed talents. They may be able to teach you some tools of the industry, but the rest depends on you.

Believe me, there is logic behind climbing the ladder step by step. You should get the basics first so that you will not build your castle on sands.

Do you know that great movies are based on great novels and great novels have been written by well-educated people? Also the scripts written for those novels are not written by under-educated people.

Do you know that the old-time style of great actors is now over? Those actors started acting at a very young age.

I am not putting you down. I am just paving the way for you to understand the word COMPROMISE.

May I suggest that you compromise by doing an associate degree alright but in a field which is closely related to what you want to do for your future. Thus, your parents will be happy, knowing that they have supported you until you are ashore. The rest is your future and they will have no say in it. In the meanwhile, you will be learning and will apply this type of relevant learning on your acting and screenwriting.

In conclusion, the decision is yours. If you want to go a head do it your own way, it is your decision, and you wouldn't blame anybody but yourself. I just hope that you will re-consider and re-count your sheep.

I wish you all success.

Answer 2

I was a theater student in high school and understood the unlikelyhood of it being my career so I opted to do some other creative persuit and my sister in law went to film school in Manhatten and is now managing a bar. the competition is fierce. I think it is valuable to do this if you are planning to become a film maker or screenwriter and not just become a camera person or actor (do you write a lot and are very creative, that is not what those academies do) If you plan to go make sure you have a good deal of material to start with. they will teach you basics and how to hone your craft
I live in L.A and it is a depressing place to be. the are so many people with no education in their desired industry. I know plenty of people who dream of being in the film or tv and end up just doing extra work and having a McJob to get by
(it is very expensive to live down here and in Manhatten)
if it is your dream, go for it but remember all the hardships, especially the rejection
no matter how much you are prepared it still boils down to luck and being the flavour of the moment

Answer 3

Hold off on your dreams for just a bit - get the associates, no matter how boring it will be and then go to LA or NY - if you can't get a job doing what you want, don't give up, but you will have a degree to fall back on. Trust me, I'm a Mom, plus someone who did go and try and didn't make it, if I would have had a degree I would have. Best of luck to you and remember, patience is a virtue.

Answer 4

This is just my point, graduation really a stepping stone to where we want to go to in the future. Parents really knows what is best for us children.

Answer 5

Apply for financial student and save up money to go to do what you want to do. Just understand if you want to do this you are totally on your own - its a big decision.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

I would listen to you parents. You gotta do the basics before anything. With school, it's now, or never.

Answer 7

pursue your desires
bc you wont be happy if u are forced to do something else. give it your best shot, good luck.

Answer 8

do your parents love you? if yes, then they will not put you in a bad situation. re- think your "well though out plan".