My First Job in the Movie Industry was the Best Job I Ever Had

The best job I ever had lasted barely a month. The working conditions were terrible - the pay, a joke. But in the end, this one job would alter the course of my life.

Decisions

I was 12 when I decided I wanted to make movies for a living. Needless to say, that's not the kind of career choice that goes over well with parents. Dad wanted me to go to college, be an engineer, make a good living, have a nice life - and he was right. Statistically his arguments made perfect sense. Mom wanted me to be happy but wasn't entirely sure about the whole 'movie thing.' My career choice was risky at best - very few people make it in the movie business. My parents were paying for my college education and their arguments were persuasive. In college I chose the safer, easier path, majoring in exercise physiology - a major that combined my interest in science with my interest in athletics. The only problem was that it wasn't movies.

I graduated college, entered the work force, but I wasn't happy. As much as I tried, I couldn't get rid of this desire to be a part of the movie industry. Something had to be done.

No Turning Back

I decided to leave my job and go to film school - this time on my dime. It wasn't an easy decision, but I was single with no debts, no responsibilities outside of myself. It wasn't easy getting used to having very little money again, but the tradeoff was happiness. I was finally on the road to doing what I set out to do all those years ago, and just walking down that path filled me with a joy that money didn't. I always said that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. It is true.

Film school was the first time that I ever felt like I was a part of a campus community. Instead of being the oddball, I was surrounded by oddballs, and I loved it. The experience and the education were among the happiest experiences in my life.

My first year out of film school, I landed my first job in the movie business. I got the job as a result of a connection I made in film school. I was now an Office Production Assistant, the absolute lowest rung on the ladder, on a low budget independent film, but I was in the door.

Be Careful What You Wish For