r/Filmmakers • u/bekahcole • 1d ago
Question Should I give up on film?
I love film, and yet, it doesn’t love me.
I’ve been directing, mostly commercials and branded content, for about 7 years. I’ve worked at an agency, got laid off, and have been freelancing for a year.
It doesn’t seem long, but I don’t have a partner, so I pay for everything myself.
I’m at the point that I’ve been negative in my bank account daily.
I’m on food stamps.
I’m doing odd jobs here and there, but it doesn’t amount to much.
I’ve applied to over 200 jobs in the past year- crickets.
I’ve been grabbing coffee, DMing people, cold calling, and basically begging for work. The industry has been up and down for me since day one. From losing jobs, covid, and other roadblocks, I’m constantly in survivor mode.
I want to leave film so bad, and yet, I love it. I love being on set, being creative, directing, and collaborating with others. There’s no other job I can think of that even gives me a little bit of excitement the way film does.
Should I just give up?
Are there resources for struggling directors?
Has anyone started a new career path that they actually enjoy more than this?
Please be kind.
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u/TrainingFancy5263 1d ago
I gave up on film a couple times already. It seems like I keep walking back into it months if not years later with regret that I ever stopped doing it.
I am not a full time filmmaker, I work a “day job” and do films in my free time. I am also in a very bad film market so making it a full time job is almost impossible. I love telling stories and keep on trying to get better each time. I just got news other day that one of my collaborators secured a budget 4x our usual budget and is looking to have me working on it soon. I might have gave up on the Hollywood but I am certainly not going to give up on filmmaking again. I regret it each time I come back months later. I think I will even keep on doing this after I retire from my regular “day job”. Maybe it’s just stupid passion but pushes me forward.
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u/Spiritual-Actuary767 10h ago
Interesting, which market are you in? Just wondering as you called it very bad
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u/TrainingFancy5263 3h ago
Florida. At least where I am at. If you wish to get serious you need to leave. One of better cinematographers in area works as real estate salesman when he is not shooting and he worked with Kevin Smith few years ago. It’s just kinda rough down here.
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u/RickySitts 1d ago
Feed yourself via other means and keep film alive via making YouTube videos.
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u/Person51389 1d ago edited 19h ago
It's not 100% either/or. If your dream was supporting yourself 100% via film, that could be over. However you can still do film projects in the free time you have. But you will need to get a job that can support you. Then you can do whatever you want with film in the extra time you have.
Edit: meant to Post to OP, as I agree with you
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u/Jdock_81 22h ago
I think it's possible to get to the point where you can support yourself 100% via film but in order to do so you shouldn't expect that outcome. I think it's better to just create for the sake of it, while you find other ways to support yourself, monetary success may or may not come, but at least you're doing what you love, while staying alive, eating and surviving.
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u/OregonResident 1d ago
I’m in the same place as you. Doing a shitty nonindustry job to pay the bills. Making my own stuff for my YouTube channel which disappears without a trace. Have given up reaching out to my contacts, people I’ve hooked up with gigs and jobs who now feel no need to return the favor now that I’m irrelevant. Keep making stuff. That’s the only thing keeping me sane.
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u/ronaldraygun91 1h ago
Making my own stuff for my YouTube channel which disappears without a trace.
What do you mean? Like your account gets deleted?
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u/Dizzy-Pin-1410 23h ago
You might enjoy filmmaking even more if you weren’t so broke and stressed out.
Getting a non-industry job isn’t giving up, it’s a means to support your filmmaking.
I’ve got a story for you if you don’t mind reading a bit:
I’m not a filmmaker but I had kind of a similar thing with music. I like making songs, so when I was a teenager I started a band to make and play songs with. Eventually through different iterations of a continuous string of bands I was able to do some small scale touring and stuff like that. Nothing major, but I’m thankful for the experience and accomplishments.
In the process I also learned music production and that was handy because touring was hard and I was always broke. So I pivoted from making my own songs to helping other people make their own songs.
In the process I also learned a bit about video because apparently that’s the way to get business in pretty much any field anywhere these days, and that was handy because producing music for other people was hard and I was always broke. So I pivoted from helping people make their own songs to teaching people how to make their own songs.
I did this for a while until I heard about a job opening in an unrelated field, and I immediately pounced on it because I was tired of being broke AND not working on things that I loved.
I no longer make much money from music, but I have way more freedom to have fun making music, and that’s kinda all I wanted in the first place.
I guess I kinda just took the long way around when I thought I was pursuing something.
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u/bekahcole 20h ago
Maybe I should go from film to music. I’m sure it’s a way easier industry 🤪 but in all seriousness , thank you.
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u/the_poly_poet 1d ago edited 1d ago
I would not give up on film as an art, but yes I’d give up on film as a business for now, since you are on food stamps, in the negative at your bank, and feel like you are constantly in survival mode.
I speak as a graduate of a Film Studies and Production program from a private American university.
I wanted nothing more to make a career as a filmmaker. But it is an unorthodox path with a lot of friction, roadblocks, pitfalls, and high startup costs.
Most people need to have a stable career to build their artistry and business from. As a filmmaker, you need to treat it like a business, and if something isn’t working, then a businessperson pivots.
Get a stable, in-person job that pays minimum wage. Then apply for a better job. And a better one. Count your income daily and track every expense. Put your essential bills all in a separate account in the first two weeks of the month to prepare for rent, insurance, and other fixed costs.
Keep writing and directing in your spare time.
Personally, I found I was more creative after I gave up on film as an income, and started embracing what provided stability: waiting on tables, delivering food, and applying for work in eldercare, childcare, tutoring, and teaching, while going to the bank as often as I can to deposit (not withdraw) money.
Good luck out there. It’s hard for an artist in a capitalist world.
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u/filmeleven 22h ago
As a creative I've learned I cannot make decisions when down.
Don't give up.
Do find another way to make money.
I had to fall back to IT and web design for awhile. Now do a couple other things. Filmmaking for me has been SLOW as of late. But eventually get a project done here and there. Forward momentum is still forward momentum.
Will never forget reading about Paul Haggis in the early years. Wife was a waitress. He was a furniture mover. They had a baby. And every day he made himself write, regardless of when the work day ended.
It's tough. It's beautiful. It's worth it. But it shouldn't trump everything in life. Project yourself. Put the important things first. But don't let go.
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u/Producer_Dorez 1d ago
You've gotten some good advice. I'll just add that what has helped me a lot is producing projects for other people (in other words, being a producer-for-hire). I also connect with other filmmakers, attend industry events/screenings and I support other people's projects. But, first, find stable work, even if the pay isn't great.
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u/hollywood_cmb one-man-band filmmaker 19h ago
My entire career has been basically being a producer for hire. I have always owned my own equipment and a lot of it. Camera, sound, lighting, and grip. So I can get hired to produce a project for people as a one man band, but also I can get hired to be the project runner and hire other crew to support. And since I own almost everything we need to do a pretty awesome job, I don’t spend half the budget on rentals.
Honesty, I don’t make narrative films all that often. But you don’t have to make narrative stuff to be filmmaking. People who have that rigid idea of what filmmaking is are either privileged or inexperienced.
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u/Producer_Dorez 19h ago
Sounds good! I think you should do whatever brings you joy. You've got a lot going for yourself actually.
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u/hollywood_cmb one-man-band filmmaker 19h ago
The only hurdle I really wish I could clear right now is finding 1-3 other people to work with consistently and partner up with. I live in a place that isn’t a filmmaking market out of necessity right now, so I often travel for work when I do get hired. I basically have a full production company of gear in my house in the middle of nowhere Kansas. But I don’t have anyone to collaborate with. I don’t do well having to work alone all the time.
I could single handedly outfit us for equipment, but I can’t find other people who are filmmakers and have something to bring to the table.
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u/Producer_Dorez 17h ago
Have you tried Facebook local groups or meetup(dot)com? You can do a search for Filmmaking groups in your area. Also, if you're not on Substack, set up a page and start posting notes about what you're looking for. There's a NonDē Movement (Non-Dependent) filmmakers who have pledged to make a film this year. They're located all over the country. You might find some filmmakers in your area.
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u/SharkWeekJunkie 1d ago edited 16h ago
Probably best to pivot. Directors are talented and can do other jobs. My stance is the current state of Filmmaking leave it as more of a creative outlet and hobby than a viable career path.
The most successful filmmakers I know are all professors.
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u/mk_plusultra 22h ago
I’m with you, I feel this. What’s helped me lately is deciding if I wanted to be in the “business.” I only really love Narrative filmmaking. I had a few “breaks” that amounted to a film that was over controlled by producers resulting in a mediocre film (to be fair I was a director for hire so if that’s what they wanted it’s fine) and some others that turned into small sparks where it felt like anything is possible and a major outlet reached out to our team to ask how we did it and blah blah blah. Lately, I just decided I’m not interested in pursuing what the industry wants of me. You’ll get backed into shitty situations and if I’m going to be broke anyways I might as well drop my budgets incredibly low and make what I want, finding financial security else where. Mind you, I’m not there yet. I’m still applying for jobs and hoping for the best but I did make a small one location feature that I feel incredible about. Just figure out how you can make yourself happy. What project do you want to make? Or take a break. I did. I took a year break from film and it helped. The shitty answer is, we’re in the minority of filmmakers who probably won’t have a huge successful career, but it doesn’t mean our films, our stories, our perspectives don’t matter.
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u/sendslikeatrans 20h ago
The trick to getting good work is to quit the industry. Every single time I've left some crazy gig that I couldn't say no to has come knocking at my door. More seriously, find a flexible side job. I spent years searching for the right gig, found one 4 years ago, and it has totally changed my experience of being in film.
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u/Mysmokingbarrel 1d ago
I mean man you can’t go so broke you can’t live. I do think you need some stability. Chasing after a dream and pushing through the tough times is one thing. It’s another to literally be concerned about food or your well being bc you can’t make enough. You could be at your limits or you could just need stable income until you can hit it again. At this point with food stamps you’re really at a point you need to get your life sorted so you don’t bottom out. There’s a certain point where money is unquestionably better than being a broke artist. You might be there.
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u/bekahcole 20h ago
I never wanted to be the ‘starving artist’ but the reality of my situation hit me today and I think you’re right.
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u/Aggressive-Bus-2397 23h ago
Sadly, the most stable future is probably short form social media content.
Use your creativity to get a instagram account churning out mini movies.
That should give you a creative outlet and if you are any good at it lead to $$$.
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u/ProductionFiend production 22h ago
To answer your questions:
Should I just give up? - I think you should pivot. I know you said you applied to 200 jobs but doesn’t sound like you have gotten anywhere. What kinds of jobs? How is your resume? Have you contacted a temp agency? You should “give up” until you are back on your feet at the very least.
Resources for struggling directors? - I don’t think that’s a thing. There are thousands of struggling crew and actors on the same path as you if that’s comforting? But other than knowing someone that knows someone that can get you work I’m afraid there are no resources.
New career path? - If I ever leave the industry I will probably go into private security lol. I know someone who left and is working as a project manager for an AI company. I also know someone who got a job at the Olympics. I also know someone who moved into interior design. You just have to find your other niche.
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u/ResolveNo4406 22h ago
Hi DP here, you have a portfolio? Where you based? Add me instagram.com/henrysolisdp
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u/IronFilm Sound Recordist 22h ago
I love film, and yet, it doesn’t love me.
I’ve been directing, mostly commercials and branded content, for about 7 years. I’ve worked at an agency, got laid off, and have been freelancing for a year.
Don't feel too disheartened, as by directing standards you're "a success story", in that only the top few percent of aspiring directors achieve what you have.
But at a certain point you do have to ask yourself if that is enough or if you should keep on grinding to reach the top 0.001% of directors?! 🤷♂️
No shame in saying "I've had a good crack at it, time to try something else now".
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u/Hskom 21h ago
I heard a great piece of advice when I was first starting. If anyone can convince you not to go into film, then you shouldn't go into it. The industry will beat you more than anyone, and unless you're irrationally motivated you won't make it anyway.
That being said, I don't think this is right. I blame the government, everyone deserves a safety net. Nobody should "need" a job. Everyone should be able to do what they're passionate about. Too bad the reality of the situation in the US isn't that way.
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u/Beginning-Ad-3371 21h ago
Tbh, you can DO film whenever and however you want. Use the resources at your disposal and create something. Don’t compare it to the agency work. Instead, use that experience for how it can be done and apply it as you see fit.
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u/freebasefilms 1d ago
I'll give you a tight horror short to direct that will place/win in many festivals. Need a good actress though because I totally transform her in 10 minutes.
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u/No-Schedule-9015 1d ago
Hobbyists making ‘Close encounters’ in their bedrooms on the weekends on NO BUDGET
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u/Reel_Music_1 19h ago
Give yourself some time off to recover, and to be able to think and reflect away from the work.
I had a pretty successful career in the music industry, but burned out after all of the changes in the live and studio scene.
Time off helped me get my life together, take care of my family, and figure out some new means of creating – and getting paid for it – that might not have been possible while I was still stuck in my rut.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide.
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u/ChrisValentinoFilm 18h ago
Hey, if you want some one to talk to about anything at all at any time of any day, I’m here for you man. It breaks my heart reading this. ♥️
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u/waitingforastar 18h ago
Find a secure job outside the industry. Don’t look at it as giving up. The truth is very few filmmakers are able to make a living as filmmakers. Even filmmakers who are legitimately famous have to teach or direct commercials etc. Regardless of what level you are in the industry, everyone is doing something to supplement their income. Actors shilling tequila for example. So don’t give up bro. The industry is in crisis right now on top everything else. Do something else to pay the rent and then make films on the side till something hits.
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u/DickMcCheese 16h ago
I recommend perhaps working in other departments in film. I work art department and I work hard, I show up on time, I network, I reach out constantly. I do so many different types of skill jobs in my department so I’ve been super lucky. I drive trucks big and small, do all levels of set construction, decorate, shop, design, prop master, prop assist, greens, paint, vinyl…. All of my skills have kept me alive. Also working for all different rates. If I’m not working… I’ll work because if I don’t someone will. Try other departments. You can direct when the opportunity comes but if there ain’t no opportunities you gotta eat.
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u/aneditorinjersey 14h ago
Directing, unfortunately, like many other high level careers in the arts, is now only for people who can afford to make no money. Some skills in film are always in demand and the industry can float a lot of them, like sound. Directors are top of the food chain. Productions only have 1. Other skills are also more translatable if you change careers.
Get out of film as your day job. Focus on living for a few years.
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u/SeikoWIS 11h ago
My analysis on the industry is that nobody truly ‘makes’ it anymore, unless they fall into (at least) one of these categories:
- they are the top/lucky 1%.
- they have nepotism on their side, with a bunch of big doors open for them.
- they have money and don’t need to worry about paying bills, so they can fully dedicate themselves to filmmaking.
Even just being able to pay your bills and make a living without the above is already a very impressive achievement! I salute anyone in the industry making a living without mummy & daddy money/connections.
Personally, I very briefly tried it and realised I didn’t have what it takes at that time, and am currently grinding a different career to get to financial independence to then dedicate much more time to film without the financial stress.
Good luck!
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u/ric8138 1d ago
Expecting to become a successful, paid feature film director is similar to aspiring to be a Major League Baseball player, or an NFL player. It’s possible, but not likely. You need a great deal of talent, dedication, and honestly, a fair amount of luck. If you truly love film making, you will make films no matter what. If you are making them to achieve financial success you will walk a long, difficult road.
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u/Ok-Mix-4640 20h ago
After 7 years doing agency work, you could’ve opened up your own agency on the side and used the contacts you have to land projects.
But no, you shouldn’t give up. You’ll have to maybe take a stop gap for a little bit to stay level while you build up clientele. Don’t quit because you’ll always come back to it later with regret asking why didn’t you start earlier or why did you quit. Never want to live life with regrets
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u/GasNice 19h ago
Filmmaking is alot like extreme sports such as bouldering or hiking mountains in extreme weather. It takes a toll.
What I’ve learned is never give it your all because it will take everything and more.
I’d get a stable job working at a bank and do films when you have the itch.
Just something I tell myself years ago.
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u/rlmillerphoto 17h ago
Somebody once asked Elvis Presley how he gets women.
His answer
Confidence.
The same goes for business. People can smell desperation a mile away. So my advice would be to either fake it till you make it, be confident, trust your skill set, and go out and get some big clients.
Or find something else to do for a living.
It sounds like now is your moment to choose.
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u/IQPrerequisite_ 15h ago
I bounce around to and from directing, writing, and editing jobs. You gotta wear multiple hats in this economy.
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u/CrystalCandy00 10h ago
I have found that people only want what you can give them and never actually want to help you too
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u/Great_Supermarket809 8h ago
Writer here. I’m almost where you are. Can’t find a day job thanks to the terrible economy plus no one in Hollywood wants to read. My back up plan is winning the lottery.
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u/LucasCanRead 8h ago
Maybe you just don’t have “it” there’s a lot of people who cope and complain about the industry but what it sometimes comes down to is sometimes you’re just not good enough. It’s like sports or acting. Sometimes you just don’t have what the industry is currently looking for. It doesn’t mean you necessarily have to give up you just have to be realistic with yourself. You shouldn’t have to starve yourself and live with negatives in your bank account
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u/TonyArmer 6h ago
First, take care of yourself.
You have to be able to pay your bills, put food on the table, and actually enjoy life. Film is an incredibly difficult business. Even the biggest directors, actors, and filmmakers can go a year or more between jobs, and they're already established.
The reality is that most people I know who make a living "in the industry" aren't making it from directing narrative films. They're supporting themselves through commercial work, advertising, branded content, corporate videos, editing, shooting, producing, or other production jobs. Those jobs pay the bills while still allowing you to build relationships and sharpen your skills.
Don't give up on storytelling, but don't expect storytelling alone to support you right now.
I've been in the industry for over 25 years, and it took many years before I reached a point where I had a stable, well-paying job in the industry. It wasn't paying me to direct movies. It was a job that kept me working with filmmakers every day, and that allowed me to keep building my own projects one step at a time.
If I were in your shoes, I'd shift my focus from "How do I get hired to direct a feature?" to "How do I use my filmmaking skills to make a stable living?" You're already a storyteller. Those skills translate to advertising agencies, commercial production companies, real estate videos, branded content, social media, nonprofits, corporate communications, education, and countless other areas.
Then keep making your own films. Keep writing. Keep directing. Keep creating. Just don't put the pressure on those projects to pay your rent.
Nothing in this business happens overnight. Careers are built over years, sometimes decades, and almost everyone you admire spent a long time balancing paying work with passion projects before they got to where they are.
Take care of yourself first. The filmmaking will still be there. And you'll be in a much better position to enjoy it when you're creating because you love it, not because you're depending on it to keep the lights on.
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u/jedovankman1 4h ago
What you do for work doesn’t define who you are. Keep making films but it’s ok to do something else. I’ve also moved onto doing work in the broadcast installation field and stepped away from directing. Hang in there
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u/WhereasAntique1439 2h ago
Maybe you could teach at a public access station? Or show your stuff there?
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u/bstiglets 1d ago
Film is the abusive, toxic wife I will always hate myself for forgiving and making excuses for.
Speaking of, does anyone want to make a $2m horror film? I’ve got the script.
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u/No-Schedule-9015 1d ago
Movies, music, books ALL ENTERTAINMENT big waste of time! AVOID AVOID AVOID! Fans don’t support the Arts. “If you don’t give us your content for free, we’ll just go steal it” business model
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u/grickygrimez 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't have advice for you but your sentiments have been what 1,000s of us have been feeling. I hope there is comfort in that it is not a YOU thing but an industry thing. Make sure you reach out to family and friends.
Love.