Screenwriting : Desparation by Steven Seidman

My advice: don't do it. Do NOT give up. If your soul yearns to create, needs to do it like breathing, you will probably end up very unhappy if you settle for a future devoid of it. Along the way you may find that related work fulfills you, like directing local children's theater, or even teaching. But as you are still young, NOW is the time to chase those bigger dreams, in my opinion. Another reason not to give up: I was reminded by a friend and former professor who worked in the composing and electronic programming field with a few big names over at Universal Pictures for 15 years that it is NOT always the most talented who "make it", but more frequently, those who are persistent, likable, and dependable. If you believe that, then letting rejection of your talent get you down and considering giving up are your worst enemies. I suggest you do what I failed to do when I was young. Move to L.A., get a job anywhere in the business, show your enthusiasm, give people an opportunity to see how interested you are in learning the craft from and with them, and then indulge yourself in doing the craft every moment you get. I say "indulge" because every small step in the process must be something you enjoy thoroughly (or at least try to). If you do that, the discipline will come. From the discipline comes the skill, and if you have all the rest -- persistence, likability, dependability, etc. -- then luck WILL find you. And you WILL make it. My 2 cents. :-)

Dude, I think about throwing in the towel all the time. But really really take some time to imagine what your life would be like if you totally gave it up. What would you be looking forward to? What would inspire you to get through the day? Then ask yourself this. Do you want to make art or do you want to make money? You can certainly do both at the same time. But in the pursuit of "making it" a lot of us lose focus on why we got into this in the first place. If your focus is on getting out of your job, you'll always feel trapped. If your focus is on making your movie, then go and make your goddamned movie! A bandmate of mine used to work at a retirement home. Every old person in that placed told him to never stop making music no matter what because, when he got to their age, that would really be all that mattered. I'm with Paul on everything, including moving to LA. I moved here years ago. Even though I'm not rolling around in sacks of money, I'm doing alright and make about a third of my income in the arts and entertainment. But moreover, I've had some awesome experiences in my artistic life just by nature of living in a town with a bunch of other ambitious artists. Get the hell out of Florida and go somewhere where people are as serious as you want to be.

Because I don't usually have a menial job anymore.

I feel like giving up just as you do but I will not, I will keep on pushing with every being in my soul!

OMG, I thought no one would ever ask this question. But I'm in the same situation. Like my sister said, "It doesn't matter what you want to get into today, nowadays, you gotta have connections." Its so true on so many levels. I remember when talent alone spoke for you. Now, if you don't know a friend, who knows a friend, who knows a friend, it's much MUCH harder to get into such beneficial positions. (Whether its a film making career or clothing store corporation). It's crazy.

Never quit. i wanted to make movies but started making ads. commerials taught me about time usage photography writing so much. figure out how to work your love into any job. buuuuttt this is the hardest work on the planet!

Yes to the other comments first. Then...the only thing that keeps me hanging in there as a writer is remembering that "my voice" was given to me for a purpose. That there are those who will not hear what they need except through my voice. If I give up I have disregarded the needs of others. (If one puzzle piece falls out of the box, the entire puzzle suffers!) Your passion is worth fighting for!

Like Pam says. Sometimes the only thing that keeps me (a writer) plugging away is the knowledge that if I don't tell these stories in my head, no one will.

You have to be a failure first before you can succeed. Nobody in this industry is failure free it's all part of the journey. Imagine getting the part....only to find out the movie lost budget, imagine your pilot is sold but then gets dropped after the first season, imagine being nominated for best actor and not winning. I imagine with every success story their is a much bigger story of failures. Have faith, believe in yourself and never give up.

I absolutely agree with you on that score

I went to film school shortly after high school. I worked a series of horrible jobs, barely scrape by, constantly teeter on the edge of losing everything. I'm 36 now and just started writing again about a year ago. I am determined to do something with it. I'm constantly frustrated but it is what I have always wanted to do. No more putting my dreams, hopes, and desires on the back burner. I have never been happy doing what I had to. I want to do what I want. If it's your desire then don't give it up. Even if you never make it you can at least say you gave it your all.