So I’m currently 19. I graduated high school with a 3.3 GPA. Not bad, but not great. So I got into schools, but didn’t receive very many scholarships. I’m the oldest of 9 children, so my parents are unable to give me any money for school (which is completely ok) But they can’t even cosign student loans because their credit is so awful. I’ve been working 2 jobs simultaneously, but still don’t have enough to attend school. I finished 3 semesters of community college, but I suffered my last semester… my grades were terrible. My work schedule, and my severe depression took a toll on me. My grades suffered. I feel like a complete failure. I cry at the drop of a hat. Some days, I can’t get out of bed. I was eavesdropping on a few family members of mine, and they said I will end up exactly like my dad… a poor janitor. I can’t even afford my in state school. Also, living with 8 brothers and sisters, and a stepdad that isn’t nice to me, doesn’t help. I’m trying my best to save money, but I’m far from going to school. My dream is to study film, but oh well. Every single one of my friends and cousins are in school, and I’m still here stocking grocery store shelves for 8.25/hour. I just don’t know what to do. I’ve submitted numerous scholarships, grants, FAFSA, etc. Any advice?
I’m not sure if this is what you want to hear, but depending on what you want to do with your film degree, you may not need college at all. You certainly don’t need a pricey four year degree. You need to start working in the industry. You will probably need to move to an area with a lot of production activity. That might mean hollywood, but it doesn’t have to. All entry work in the film industry pays terribly, but you need to do it to get started. Try to find work as a production assistant. There may be production companies near you. Find them and see what they need. If you have money for any classes, learn the technical side of production. Learn editing, sound and light. Work on as many productions as possible. Low budget, indie and student films always need help. Build a resume. Make contacts. If you are interested in the writing aspect of film then write. Take writing classes when you can afford them. Join a local writers group. You don’t need a degree. You need incredible initiative, talent, willingness to work insane hours for very low pay and the ability to get along with difficult people. Good luck.
With a family that size, what was your family FAFSA estimated family contribution? You may need to identify schools that are commitment to meeting need.
Getting help and support for good mental health is a priority, so you have the resilience to manage the bumps that are inevitable in life. Do you have access to a counselor at the community college? Access to a therapist thru health insurance?
One of my kids did community college, and she had to repeat a math class or two to get her grade up from a C to a B.
She also paid for her classes and books at community college by working. One thing that helped was she worked in full service restaurants, and got tips. The money she took in was very good for the relatively short hours of a dinner shift. It left time for her to study and attend class.
There are many paths to a satisfying life. Try not to let despair seep in.
Both my husband and I have worked blue collar jobs most of our adult lives and although we are not rich, we are not poor. It’s important --when finances are super tight-- to be realistic about what a college degree will cost you, and what you can do with it when you get out.
Some people go to trade school. Some people go to a CC and get a bookkeeping degree or phlebotomy tech degree or auto mechanic or dental hygienist or something-- work for awhile in a field – then go back to school later in life to level up.
I’m sure others will jump in with helpful advice. Hang in there. Many paths. Keep repeating. Many paths.
Agree with all that @gallentjill said. Film school doesn’t make a filmmaker any more than a creative writing class makes a poet. People are filmmakers and poets (and artists and novelists etc.) before they attend these schools and the schools give them technical understanding and knowledge of the industry and some connections, that sort of thing. But the inner core of filmmaker or artist or novelist comes from the person him or herself.
People who graduate from these programs still need to hone their CRAFT. You can start honing your craft now.
Do all that @gallentjill said and then I would also add this:
Start making your own films. You have on your phone probably the ability to shoot video. Start with that. Make a 6-second vine-type thing, if that’s what you can imagine or make a long narrative. Whatever you want to do, you have the basic tools already at your fingertips to do it. Fortunately making movies is cheaper now than ever.
I would also add: learn how to write a script.
- STORY by McKee
- Syd Field – the narrative arc
- Whatever other structure that interests you, whether it’s Save the Cat (Snyder) or Hero’s Journey (Campbell)
- Understanding the narrative arc of emotion – like Emotional Structure by Dunne
- Don’t forget learning how to imbue humor–anne lamott’s Bird by Bird but also get books on humor and how to construct that.
Read all that you can on directing and other craft.
But mostly practice, practice, practice. You are in a gift of a situation that gives you the substance of story every day of your life. What you described above will nourish your stories, emotional experiences of your characters.
Take notes every day on your surroundings. You will use it all later. Anne Lamott said that if people didn’t want to be in her stories, they should have been nicer to her.
Here’s a way out of the box idea. Take a gap year and go work in West Texas for a year in the oil & gas industry where 20 year olds are making up to six figures. Make a film of the people you meet and the experiences that you have. Reapply to schools in a year with money for tuition, a film and a compelling story.
Change jobs. Work for a company, such as McDonald’s if I recall correctly, that will reimburse your tuition if you attend school on a part time basis while continuing to work part time at this fast food business. That is just one example of a business that will hire you & reimburse tuition.
Otherwise apply to colleges & universities that meet full financial need via financial aid.
I like @tpike12 's out of the box idea. There is also the millitary which can be a great way to gain life experience and money for education. By the way, this is one option my daughter is looking at for eventual medical school.
Another out-of-the-box idea to do while filming:
Besides military and oil fields, there’s–
workaway – a website that lists places all over the world where you work for 4-5 hours a day for a roof over your head and sometimes a meal. Local and foreign places.
Student Conservation Association – internships including house sometimes in all sorts of environments – https://www.thesca.org/serve/internship-benefits-18-yrs
Jobs include everything from museum archiving in Massachusetts to sled-dog care in Alaska to learning how to fight wild fires wherever they’re burning to hatching fish in Maine to counting prairie chickens in Texas.
volunteer.gov – jobs that often include housing on public lands – everything from campground caretaker to working in gift shops.
Americorps NCCC or FEMA – work for 6-12 months and they provide 1) a uniform; 2) housing; 3) a stipend; 4) “spikes” to work at various places throughout the US for a few weeks at a time; 5) healthcare; 6) $5K towards college tuition at the end.
Also: Starbucks has college plan – https://www.starbucks.com/careers/college-plan
I forgot about coolworks – a website that lists paying jobs throughout the country, often with some sort of housing.
Moderator’s note:
Op has already asked this same exact question using a different user name
closing thread