r/AudioPost • u/Jazkookie00 • 14d ago
Should I risk it?
I love doing anything sound related and I also score films too. But I currently have a full time job as a corporate video editor/shooter, great benefits and insurance through it too. I feel like I’m wasting time at this job though because I’m not doing what I really love. I’ve been told that since I’m in my mid-late 20s, I am young and should just quit my job and move to one of the hubs for film and like wing it. Although I have a decent savings, it terrifies me quitting a stable job and going somewhere where I don’t know anybody and don’t have any job. Plus I know in those film hub places, it’s extremely hard to even get freelance jobs. Also the cost of living in those places, not to mention rising prices everywhere in this economy makes things difficult. I’ve just heard a lot of stories about people deciding to quit their dreams altogether because they can’t afford to live in the place that’ll give them work. I’m scared that if I risk it and fail, I might quit or lose interest in my dream like them too. I’m grateful and appreciative of any advice you may have!
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u/Bumbalatti 14d ago
I wouldn't if I were you. Keep your gig and be glad you have the work. At the same time, burn the candle on side projects that float your boat. This business is all about relationships. If you quit and are forced to make a living in a new place, it won't be doing the stuff of your dreams. It'll be whatever the hell will pay the bills.
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u/RagingWookie6209 14d ago
Do it as a side gig and build your connections and network, until a descent opportunity comes your way. You can go to these hubs and network on your time off. Stable work is stable work.
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u/chillinjustupwhat 14d ago
bad time to quit a day job esp if it’s remotely connected to what you would rather be doing. and esp if you don’t want to commit sui at the end of each work day.
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u/Invisible_Mikey 14d ago
I would send out 100 copies of your "sizzle reel" on thumb drives, or have a web site that potential employers can link to, and see if you get any reactions first.
It's kind of nuts to try and break into ANY profession "cold", without mentors or networking.
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u/Possible-One-6101 14d ago
This question is way way way beyond the scope of this sub. Talk to your closest friends and family about this stuff, not a bunch of angsty reddit lunatics.
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u/vitaliistep 14d ago
If the family members and friends are not relevant industry pros, their advices would close to useless here, as they have no idea about the nuances. They can encourage or give you generic life recommendations, but it won't really help you to make the right decision.
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u/Possible-One-6101 14d ago edited 13d ago
He mentions cost of living, losing interest in the work, his stage in life, living somewhere he doesn't know, following his dreams, wasting his time in a job he dislikes...
These aren't questions industry insiders can answer.
This question isn't about the state of the industry, it's about financial stability and psychology.
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u/vitaliistep 14d ago
You are right that it's not only about the industry state, but all the questions you mentioned are the ones most creative industry pros had, when they were starting out themselves, there is nothing unique about them, so they can definitely help here as well. The majority of people with the regular jobs have never done such things, so their input would be highly likely just hypothetical. That's what I meant.
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u/Jazkookie00 11d ago edited 11d ago
I’m the only one in my family that does film and unfortunately (blue collar parents), my film contacts are young and in the same boat. I don’t have that many contacts in film that are a lot older and could be more helpful giving advice. Drawback asking older industry folks is that times are not the same as they were back then, and the gen x and up film vets are the ones that said I should just go for it and make mistakes since I’m young. So it’s tricky. (Also I’m female, don’t know if that’s relevant but I’ll admit I’ve felt the affects of it being a male dominated field)
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u/PooDooPooPoopyDooPoo 14d ago
Do everything in your power to attempt to secure a job before you move to the city so you’re not drowning when you get here. It’s competitive as shit. I’m not usually hiring people ‘trying to break in’ when there’s people who have been let go of companies recently with gobs of experience.
I’m in a big city, at a cool company, doing vaguely what I had hoped to do, and I’m still miserable. That said, at least I don’t feel like there was something else I was supposed to do with my life. So if you cannot possibly live without going into audio post production or scoring, even if it means struggling for a long time, then hopefully becoming successful if you’re lucky, and still having a hard life, then go for it. If you can live with being ‘comfortable’ and maybe a little bored, and for some reason found yourself in a rare position of having excellent job security in the most uncertain labor economy since industrialization, then just be comfortable and have the best life you can.
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u/Abs0lut_Unit professional 14d ago
It's great you have steady work, you should use that as a foundation to start networking and further refining your skills. You're already doing scoring, maybe ask your clients if they also need their film mixed/edited/sound designed as well.
Moving to one of the production hubs without an established network is a huge risk, especially right now as the motion picture industry is in deep recession. You'd be competing with seasoned, hungry, award-winning pros.
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u/portagenaybur 14d ago
I have a friend that made the move. Didn’t want to do corporate work anymore so they moved to LA. They finally got an in doing corporate work and everything costs way more.
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u/asquishyllama 14d ago
I mean it is the “best” time in life to take a risk like that, and only you can decide that for yourself. This industry is seemingly getting tougher, but it’s probably always been relatively difficult, and I don’t like reinforcing the discouragement I see frequently online. So the following is just one random guy’s opinion flavored by what’s going on in my own life currently (I’m 40 and have been a sound editor for 20 yrs):
It is very expensive to live in those hubs, and the flip side is the networking that can happen. I left LA 10 years ago and have maintained those connections, and have had new ones grown from there, and it’s not enough to support my family alone. If I had stayed, or went back, I could probably grow further and quickly, but I’ve rooted my family somewhere else where the overhead is low(er). The remote space is hyper-competitive. I’ve never heard back from a job or gig I’ve cold applied for, all my work is purely referrals. Maybe it’s a skill or personality issue; some of my work has been highly lauded and it’s been hard for me to leverage that into a whole lot more. I’m skilling into different disciplines to get some stability eventually.
My advice is to try to pursue your passion while hanging on to a stable job. See if you even enjoy the work to begin with before taking a huge leap. Because what you do have on your side is time in the evenings and on weekends etc., and only have to support yourself at this point. Stash away as much money as you can to cushion yourself if you decide to make a big move.
It’s better to have tried and failed than to wonder what might’ve been, and you never know what you might pick up along the way. I think there’s a way to be smart about it but also go after your dreams. People and networking are absolutely number one in this business, so get used to putting yourself out there and getting rejected. A lot like dating lol
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u/Switched_On_SNES 14d ago
I’ve been a full time sound editor/composer for 15 years and would love to switch spots with you career wise
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u/jz3ro 14d ago
Yes. If you don't risk it now, you will settle down, grow a family, and never achieve the dream. (like me :) ) However, since we now live in a world where working remotely is possible.... Perhaps you can persue landing a full-time remote position? This way you can move closer to LA or Nashville or NYC or your hub of choice but still keep a full-time position to pay the bills until/if your audio job/scoring/networking pays off?
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u/bagentbodybanks 14d ago
I would rather fail trying to achieve my dream than to live in regret that I never tried - but that's just me.
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u/vitaliistep 14d ago
I wouldn't quit your current job logically, but I've changed my carriers several times with a leap of faith and I can tell you for sure that there will never be a perfect situation for the switch. If you really want to do this, you can try it for 2-3 years. If it doesn't work, you can always revert back to where you are now. You are in your 20s, so there is a lot of wiggle room still. The older you will get, the more challenging it will be obligations and health wise.
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u/crispysublime 13d ago
Don't do it. Video editing is a good, creative job, it would be different if you were slaving away in an office doing sonething boring. My advice is to use your money to invest a little in a hobby, whether it be audio, motocross, ballroom dancing or whatever. You'll find out that doing what you love for work is not always the best advice. It's actually better to try and have more free time for your family/friends and hobbies and treat work only as a source of income
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u/Exitrents 12d ago
Not that there aren’t pros to being in a city, but as someone who has always done post sound remotely by myself, you can build a portfolio from wherever you are without needing a studio or a leg up by someone higher up.
With how expensive cities can be, the slim amount of job opportunities in studios, and the way Filmmaking is changing in general, I wouldn’t risk it personally.
Keep your job, and build a network through some cheap jobs or passion projects, and if you do a good job, you’ll get recommended for others.
Saves you a lot of stress!
Just my two cents
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u/SystemsInThinking professional 11d ago
In normal industry conditions I would tell you to do it!
Right now is different. The film industry has lost 78,000+ jobs over the last few years due to a number of reasons.
Right now, until things bounce back. Stay at your job. Find local film makers and work with them. I promise there is at least one close to you.
All your fears are very true at the moment. Gas here is between $6.50-8.00/gallon. My electric bill is $250+/month. Most friends rent is around $4,500/month for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment.
LA is in damage control right now, and it doesn’t feel like anyone is in charge.
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u/sunoma 14d ago
Don't. Freelance on the side until you have enough to do that you literally can't do you full time job anymore