Hey Nomen. My day job is a copy editor/page designer/graphic artist and former photojournalist. I'm just getting into screenwriting (doing more reading than writing). But then, I live in Hawaii where it's hard to get much of anything done indoors with the sand, surf and sun waiting just out your door.
I'm a computer network engineer for a multinational corporation. I work out of my house so I have lots a free time and I'm not starving. I wish I could devote all of my time to writing and filmmaking. Maybe some day.
I have a girlfriend that I live with and she works and brings in the money. I also bring in some money but not as much but she doesn't care as long as we are both happy with what we do.
What do I want to do tomorrow so what do I have to do today
Most writers and artists survive by waiting on tables. While looking for a great opportunity, try to get a job as a waiter or waitress at an expensive restautant, in which customers usually give very generous tips; you may also have a chance to meet some professional people in your field there too.
In your free time, try to write and publish your own works. You can use your published books as a tool for job interviews. What is a better way to impress your interviewer by showing to him/her your published works?
Check out the following book, which may be a good help to you.
Doin what you must to pay the bills is alright but it helps to keep you from going mad if you can find work that is in some way related to your industry.
I wait tables. I live in Pittsburgh. Not the best combo(but I LOVE Pittsburgh!) Nowadays, with the advent of the internet, it really does not matter where you live anymore! My mother is a writer(has a website/online magazine devoted to legends of the screen...Arabella dot com) and her Grandmother(my Great Grandma) was a well known stage actress at the turn of the century. It is simply in the blood, I guess!
Originally posted by Achilles16: Nowadays, with the advent of the internet, it really does not matter where you live anymore!
True, but you'd be surprised how helpful living in a city teeming with film industry professionals can be. Another great thing about the internet is that I haven't had to print a screenplay in about four years. I've printed a few for my own purposes, but all business transactions lately have been done by emailing PDF files.
By the way, I've never been to Pittsburgh, but I like the way that river branches around downtown and forms a triangle around all those skyscrapers.
Pittsburgh is a wonderful, and beautiful city,and it is the Birthplace of the Film Industry(Warner Bros. started here) Unfortunately, like so many others, it left it's home, only to come back for visits, occasionally! But has left a wealth of tradition in the performing arts, with many actors/actresses, directors, producers, (and WRITERS!) forming their dreams, and forging their talents here. But I am certain that, eventually, I will have to spend a good deal of time either in N.Y.C., or L.A., or both.
I work at the duty free shop at the airport here in Iceland, finding myself getting too distracted to do any work at the moment, have a lot of ideas though, just need to get started
If you have a partner that can support your dream, that is awesome. Making connections is a huge consideration, I was lucky enough that my husband supported me leaving my day job to attend TheFilmSchool in Seattle -- that gave me the tools and confidence to not return to the job I'd had that was holding me back, and I made contacts there that I have been working with and making a little money from home while I write my script.
