Hello all,
This has been on my mind for a while now and I've been trying to seek advice. So, I thought where better than stage 32. A little about me. I'm 25. I studied civil engineering and am currently in a graduate position in my field. Ever since I was young I wanted to be an engineer. But, something happened that made me have doubts in my career. What happened was I discovered screenwriting a year before I graduated.
At first it was a hobby and I didn't know what I wanted to write about. I really enjoyed it though and tried to learn as much as I could while studying. Eventually, I found my voice and genre and know what I want to write about. My genre is animation with a focus on social issues such as bullying, mental health, and appreciating what you have, topics that mean a lot to me. Now, this is where my predicament lies.
It's been a wild ride to get to where I am as an engineer. I have been working in the field for about a year and I know deep down that civil engineering isn't for me. I want a career in the film industry. As a writer and eventual producer (one can dream haha). But, there a number of things holding me back. The people in my life have given me good advice such as don't waste the years of studying, don't give up on a job that's got good pay, you need to save for your future. This is all great but what good is it if you are passionate about something else. A little about the engineering field, it takes a while to get to a point where you have a good income stream coming in, travel is horrible (well for me in Sydney haha), and work is monotonous especially when starting out. I've read so many articles where people say you don't want to regret not making the leap into a career change when you get older. I don't want to get to the age of 30, 35, 40, and so on thinking why I didn't start now at 25.
To give you all a perspective into my mind. Screenwriting is all I think about. I watch screenwriting tips on YouTube. I write as much as I can. I constantly seek to improve. I watch many movies and read several scripts to learn. I can't eat, exercise, sleep and even dream without screenwriting on my mind. I've never been so certain in my life about what I wanted to do but I have no idea how to make that transition. There are a lot of risks involved and I do have to think of the future but I have that drive, that fire inside me that wants this. I'd love to hear your stories and advice.
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I love screenwriting too, but never leave steady job, pay, social security and pension over it...don't get me wrong, roll the dice, but even pro writers complain of uneasiness and uncertainty when you whole income depends on writing...Cargill among others had a very honest tweet bout it...It's a life striving choice to make, can do you fame and fortune as well as doom you...I just ain't good dicer...
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Kiril Maksimoski yeah that is true. It's all about trying to find the balance. I'm trying to find time to write and I do just has been difficult as it has to be done at unfortunate times during the day. Aren't their ways to make it more certain, perhaps a job in the industry or improving networking. Networking is my current weakness to be honest. I appreciate the response by the way.
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Hi Marvin, I agree with Kiril Maksimoski about not leaving the day job just yet. At least not until you have something else lined up that gives you a regular paycheck, social security, pension, healthcare etc. Even writers have to live off something, now and later when they're old and grey. I understand your craving and passion for the writing but before you take the leap, make sure the net below you is in good condition. I was an airline pilot for 10 years, a stay-at-home parent for another 10 and now I'm doing the screenwriting thing. I don't regret those 20 years, they have given me life experience that can only make my screenplays richer. Your years as an engineer are not lost. You know what it is to work, to have people depend on you, to learn new skills, to work with other people etc. you're more experienced than someone who is fresh out of school. You've got this!
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This is exciting and I agree with the other comments. Don't leave the day job yet. You can write in your spare time and connect with people, and executives here who can give you tips, assess your writing and help you hone your craft before you make a move. Don't give up on your dream but explore it first before you make the leap. All the best!!!
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Annelies Morlion and Erik Meyers for sure I won’t leave my day job at the moment. You both make great points. It’s interesting to hear your story Annelies as a pilot and stay at home parent. It puts things into perspective for me. I didn’t think of the engineering in that way. I do write as much as I can in my spare time and perhaps I should look more into developing my networking on stage 32. I just have quite a lot going on and that’s just for the screenwriting. Thanks for the inspiration and helpful advice!!!
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Some people talk about getting 'The Fear' as in leaving your day job. But I really don't think that applies to screenwriting. It can naturally take years and years. And there's plenty to be afraid of in trying to become a pro screenwriter anyway.