So, just in case I haven’t made it to blaringly obvious in the last few weeks, I am currently an English major on his senior year of college, only a few days out from graduation in fact.
Yay.
I bring it up, because, given what I’ve chosen to do with my life, I’m increasingly hounded by concerns on how I’m to acquire the money I need to, you know, live.
Writing isn’t exactly the most consistent career, you know.
While this may be my innate sense of paranoia acting up again, though, it did get me thinking and as I did my thoughts turned to another field that probably carries the same fears:
Filmmaking.
You see, for the past decade or so, films to me seem to have existed in an odd sort-of artistic limbo. On the one hand, you have this latest trend of cinematic universes, foreign & indy darlings, and the weird avant garde class of storytelling which compel the mind to new heights. On the other hand, most of it still seems to be controlled by the same companies and faces that have been around since most of us thought Elmo was the greatest thespian of our time.
This isn’t to necessarily bash these familiar faces – whomever just sprang to mind for you – as most of them have earned their place in the upper echelons of the filmmaking world. Still, it’s hard to deny that, much like in the literary world, careers are launched less often by individual talent, and more by having the right connections.
Granted, talent may be necessary, but, it seems today to truly reach any sort-of meaningful success, means being lucky enough to catch the right eyes and willing enough to grease the right palms.
I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t have to be the case.
I say it as both a reassurance to you and to myself. While connections within the old guard are never a bad thing, they don’t necessarily have to be the only truly viable road to success; There is another way. You don’t have to work for weeks on end, running on instant ramen and gatorade, praying your brain child will get picked so you can finally move out of your parents’ basement.
The question, of course, then becomes how?
In a word, camaraderie.
Admittedly, an idea so basic it’s likely been used before. You see, the key to success in any field which requires salesmanship is exposure. This is the model platforms like “YouTube” were born on.
However, I don’t just speak of grass-roots efforts – you know,sharing your work amongst family and friends, slowly expanding your network over years until your efforts can no longer be ignored by those in higher positions.
No.
While such things may help in this instance, I refer more to the need for amateur filmmakers to support one another, as heretical that might seem.
Though the world of filmmaking – like so many others – may be based on competition, there are few in a better position to help an amateur in any field than another amateur. Coming together with this in mind, can allow individuals to connect those smaller networks I mentioned before, and, if given enough time, even allow for the formation of grass-root conglomerates, independent of the older studios, and dedicated to helping all involved reach the widespread success they all seek.
Now, don’t misunderstand, it will still take a lot of hard work. In fact, even interconnected, it will likely take more time and effort to get projects off the ground without the big budget backers, but, with this extra effort comes a level of control you’d likely never achieve if you simply sat and waited for your moment.
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