To all,

It’s been a long time since I last visited SF, but I’m glad to see nothing has changed :)

To my question, how and what training is required for someone to successfully move their career onto the media industry. I know it’s a fickly industry and is probably extremely hard but I think if you want something enough you will make it happen. Primarily I’m looking for ways to get my foot in the film industry. Not as an actor (even though I dabbled some years back) but in the production, directing or any other area.

I’m not looking for fame or fortune but for a completely different career path from the norm.

So to you fellow SF member, do you have any knowledge on this subject, are you also looking to do the same and break into the movie business or are you already there and would be able to throw me some kernels of advise?

I was thinking of taking a few courses in Film studies or photography. Should I bother or what else should I look to study?

Just to stop those who might say it, I’m not going to give up and I’m not going to take no for an answer. Peter Jackson was working in a photography shop when he made Bad Taste (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092610/)and look at him now!

FYI I’m under 30 so a career move is still an option for me.

For those who do not wish to post their advise, please PM me as all advise is appreciated.

I'm sorry to have to tell you this but my opinion is it really is not worth it.

However the first thing you should do is decide exactly what you want to do. No one will take much interest unless you have a plan, learn about all the roles that there are in the movie business and decide what it is that interests you. The hours can be very long and you may be away for long periods of time. You may work 10 hours every day for two months and then you may not get any more work for a year.

I have three friends that have graduated with media degrees in the last 5 years, one with a first. She has now given up and now works in the music industry. Another one has never had any paid work in the media industry (although has done more than her fair share of volunteering) and the other works for a channel 5 show. My brother is a proffesional actor, my mum used to work on the costume side of TV and my step dad works in sound for TV(and hires out equipment to film and TV companies) And my general opinion is it is the media industry is the worst line of business to be in. You have to do a lot of volunteering to get your foot in the door, depending what it is you want to do you ussually need some kind of qualification. It just seems like so many people are competing for jobs now in the media, and so many are prepared to do some jobs for free, it really isn't the exciting line of business it's image portrays. However for the few that do make it, it can be exciting. (I'm sure working on pirates of the carribean was fun, but maybe not some grose or boring documentry)

Anyway, good luck with it if you decide to go ahead, and you may be right. If you do want something enough you will get it!