View Full Version : Is there ever a point...
crizgolfer
11-25-2007, 04:18 PM
Here is a start. Just some ideas. Just an example.
Move to Portland and make plans to do the documentary. Start pre-prodution work. I am sure there is plenty of background work you can do to develop the idea. Plan it out. Once you have it planned out. Then plan it out again..and again. Make it good. This is preparation that you will have to do to get any funding.
In the meantime you need to earn enough to survive. Do you have any children? If not, then you have no dependents and should be able to live cheaply. Photography is one option to make money. No camera? Then get one. Need money? Then get the money. Wait on tables, nanny, drive a school bus, feed split pea soup to an invalid. Doesn't matter how you get it. Just get it.
This should get you started. If you hit a point where you feel down and will never get there then focus harder on your goal.
I like to see people happy. I want you to be happy. Question is, what do you want? How do you get it? See the possibilities for success. Don't dwell on the potential for failure.
TheSexKitten
11-25-2007, 04:33 PM
I am not sure if you're overqualified for this, but I know a couple people with bachelor degrees in film, and they were able to find jobs in L.A. with Disney and CBS. First one was I'm not really sure, the CBS one was editing advertisements and billboards. The jobs paid $13/hr and $20/hour, respectively, and both were located in L.A. Just thought it might give you a couple ideas.
Katrine
11-25-2007, 04:51 PM
What's wrong with stripping in Portland? From what Susan and others say, its pretty cool and laid back up there. Also, do substitute teaching jobs require certification?
What about getting a staff job at one of the local universities. Helping out with the A/V department, etc.
Can't you do admin work? Even on a temp basis?
How about this. I'm going to be mean here. Walk into the welfare office and ask for benefits. Now, Yek, I KNOW you don't want to do this. You are ambitious and hardworking. Look at the people around the place struggling to make ends meet. Perhaps it will motivate (read, scare) you into something.
I dunno. Fear motivates me. Like I said, I know you aren't the type of person to ever ask for a handout, so it could have some efficacy. My dad used to do this to me by driving me through the worst ghetto in Houston. Scary shit.
Yekhefah
11-25-2007, 04:58 PM
^^^ LOL, you're right. And yes, I'm picking myself up again, I was just having one of my really bad depression days... stripping in Portland is definitely doable, I'd just like not to be dependent on it anymore. I'd like to have a stable career and dance on the weekends to pay down debts and build up savings. The plan is to save all year ($1000 a month for me, $1500-2000 a month for K) and buy a house early in 2009. All I need is a stable, steady $1000 per week to make my bills and goals.
I think it's less about money and more about career. We all know this industry is going downhill fast, and I'm staring thirty in the face, and I'd like a career I can proudly tell my family about. I'd also like one that makes me happy and supports my art. I just don't know what it is or how to get there. Hopefully I'll get my shit together when we get to Portland.
I dunno about the documentary but I should make a microbudget feature. I'll have to come up with a script somewhere...
crizgolfer
11-25-2007, 05:28 PM
I dunno about the documentary but I should make a microbudget feature. I'll have to come up with a script somewhere...
Well, there you go. Time to get started. ;)
xdamage
11-25-2007, 05:43 PM
It's a Master of Film & Television. Finished it August 2003. Hasn't done a damn thing for me yet, but it sure wasted time and got my hopes up.
My son wanted to go for this. Needless to say he wasn't happy I didn't encourage him to pursue this dream, but long shots are long shots, and that field depends mostly on who you know, talent, and luck.
Lots of people gave you support, so I'll be the guy that tells you what he thinks without the glitter.
28 - you still have time, but not indefinite time.
The longer you wait to get experience in your preferred career, the harder it will be because many people before you, who won't dance for a living, will have built up resumes with experience more directly in line in that field. You have time, but not forever... the longer you wait, the harder it will be to compete for jobs against people with experience in your desired field.
Life sucks in that work is needed to sustain ourselves. Pick something you love if you can, or you end up wasting nearly a 3rd of your life doing something you hate, but all jobs are still jobs.... work.
Everyone goes through what you are going through, just at different times in your life.
You have time still, but it gets harder as you get older. Harder to catch up to those with more experience, and harder to keep up with those who can work 20 hour days over and over.
Don't wait too much longer to decide your direction, but you do have time.
DylanAngel
11-25-2007, 06:05 PM
Yek, try the Advertising industry. That's what I'm in and we hire people with all different backgrounds and degrees. You could work as an art or creative director or even go into some type of Media position.
I know it's not what you really want to do, but it would earn you a decent living until you could decide your next steps.
FrustratedBunny
11-25-2007, 06:42 PM
Unfortunately sometimes you have to just find a job that is okay enough to tolerate but pays the bills. I've known a lawyer who had a masters in music and my dad has an art degree and works in sales. Maybe once you get to Portland it'll give you enough of a change of pace that you'll feel refreshed and have more energy. You might even discover options you never knew you had. Could you work at a TV station?
I know sometimes life gets you down, but I honestly believe that the right answers come to us at the right time. Unfortunately sometimes they seem to take forever, but it all works out in the end.
And hey, if you want to live really cheap, I knew a guy who lived in Portland in some type of hippie tent community for like $70/month. He worked at a hotdog stand or some shit like that.
NinaDaisy
11-25-2007, 07:06 PM
Portland isn't huge money stripping, but from what I've heard it's stage dancing and pretty chill. Plus the money's generally pretty consistent, if not huge. The low-hustle environment tends to be a welcome respite for dancers that are burned out on high-hustle environments.
You definitely seem like you have a lot on your plate right now and that can get overwhelming, even for the most intelligent people. If anything, being really intelligent aggravates it.
The best advice that I can give is this: take a little time on your own (maybe have K there with you) and break down all the big tasks into smaller ones so that they don't seem so overwhelming.
Start with the easiest ones first. It might be tempting to start off with the most "challenging" one first, but if it's too daunting and difficult and you can't do it right away, it might discourage you from forging ahead. It's good for your confidence to check off smaller things one by one!
If you're not sure what to do with yourself, Portland's a great place for that because there are lots of possibilities there in lots of different areas. Try to approach the move not as you being unemployable, but to use your intelligence, creativity and resourcefulness to expand your horizons while making a living.
Sometimes you have an epiphany though. I had one back in late July, when I felt like I was at a pretty low point, and I'm following my bliss and making some drastic changes in my life.
The fact that you're child-free also is to your benefit tremendously, not just financially.
I know how you feel. :grouphug:
And Lena also has a point, in a very French existentialist sort of way.
kandie_kitten
11-25-2007, 07:18 PM
Have you considered working for a non-profit?
I currently work for a major, nationally known non-profit. The pay is not fantastic, but it would pay enough to support you and pay most of your bills. If you wanted to keep stripping, the NP job would pay enough that your stripping cash could go right into savings.
The good thing about non-profits is that they are very flexible. They don't pay much attention to degrees, as long as you have one, so they will consider you for jobs even if your degree isn't related to the position. And if you get the job, you can get involved in whatever area you want too.
I have an entry level marketing job, hired to do writing for publications and clerical work. But, because I showed interest, I have worked on fundraisers, event planning, etc.
I have no film experience at all, but recently I got myself involved in TV commercial shoots, casting, and writing scripts for documentaries. You can truly get involved wherever you want.
Non-profits are good if you want to gain experience in a bunch of areas, it looks great on resumes, and you can really get behind your work.
If you want mor einfo about where I work, feel free to PM me.
greenidlady1
11-25-2007, 07:38 PM
Nope, never, I guarantee you someone else's life is far more fucked up then you can imagine.
Sunshine73
11-25-2007, 07:39 PM
Girl, not to go all "The Secret" on you, but I'm goig to anyway. You need to stop thinking about debt, being broke, unemployed, etc. etc, and start focusing on the things you DO want and believe that you can have it. Focus on prosperity, fulfillment, and abundance.
If you change your mind, you change your universe.
Tell yourself...
*that you are talented, intelligent, AND employable.
* that there is a solution and you will find it.
*that money is flowing to you easily and effortlessly.
*that you will achieve your dream and by loving & respecting yourself and others, the universe will show you how.
And believe in it!!!
Think POSITIVE!!!! Be strong! I know that whenever I feel like you do, it is because I am about to make progress and the negative forces in this universe want me to give up so that I won't achieve success. Don't let the negativity win.
Do what you have to do, but be aware that there IS a solution and that you will find it somehow.
Even if you don't believe in it, just try it anyway. I believe in the power of positive thinking and my life has changed for the better.
I also PM'ed you.
Please believe in yourself and believe that things will work out for you somehow.
I_luv_dancers!
11-25-2007, 07:48 PM
Just pissed away the last ten years and now I'm overeducated, unemployable, broke, in debt, and see no idea what I can possibly do to get back on track. Can't afford to go back to school and my Master's is useless anyway, burnt out on stripping, can't afford to take a customer service job, not qualified to do anything I enjoy, no jobs in my field, etc. When I was 18, I was the intelligent go-getter that was going to be a huge success at whatever she set her mind to, and I fucked up every opportunity I ever had. I know we've all been through this before so I'm sorry for bringing it up again. I was just wondering if there's ever a point at which you just say no, you fucked it all up and there's no fixing it, so go be a waitress.
No, there is never a point where your life is too fucked up to fix. Something unforseen may be just around the corner.
You are smart, you just need a little help. You may be a bit burned out, and I think you may need to examine your desires, make new connections, define what your passions are. You are no clueless idiot, you are a very interesting and intelligent woman - I can see that from reading your posts. Maybe you just need to inject a little persistence. Persistence is what makes the difference. You have to keep on trying and not give up. You've got the brains, you've got the education - and don't limit yourself to your masters curriculum. You didn't just learn the curriculum getting that masters, you learned persistence, organization, research, presentation and other skills.
Seven years ago I was at a low point. I wasn't getting any promotions, I was the subject of a disciplinary procedure at work for something that happened at my station and I was not responsible for or involved in (I won the appeal), my father had died, and I had been transferred (back) to a shithole that I hated, with a crew that contained the worst nightmare employee in the history of our organization, and my boss who I couldn't stand, got transferred too - to my new shift and area - despite my winning a disciplinary appeal. I was truly and thoroughly fucked for life I thought, and I was going to say fuck it and take early retirement. I was performing very poorly, locking myself in my office and taking care of the essentials to get by.
One day we got a new dept head. He recognized my skills, understood the need people have for new experiences, put me in a floating position that I loved, then a few months later I was in administration at headquarters, promoted, and doing a job I really enjoy, a job no-one else in the organization is qualified to do, and I am a respected authority in my specialty.
You may be discouraged, but you can succeed. Get a new job in a field you love - just get in the door - your skills will show through. Life is always changing, and you never know what opportunity may present tomorrow. You need to examine what your new location has to offer. Just don't sit at home, surfing stripperweb and sulking. Find something that you love and try to make that something happen for you. Persistence. Make your own good luck.
wishing you the best -
Yekhefah
11-25-2007, 09:14 PM
Thanks, guys. Food for thought. I'm taking the evening to recharge with K tonight (he's on a phone call for work right now) - we've been playing cards and drinking wine, listening to Alabama 3 and just enjoying each other's company. I feel a lot better. I'm going to head back to L.A. on Wednesday and pack up our apartment and work as much as I can, just force myself to sprint in L.A. for just a couple more weeks. And then we'll move and I'll get a handle on the career situation then. I'll have some things to think about on the roadtrip home to L.A. now, too. Thank you.
Lysondra
11-26-2007, 03:55 AM
Do you have any screenplays I can take a look at? I know my mum knows people. :)
scarlett_vancouver
11-26-2007, 04:11 AM
Lastly there is Vancouver BC and the growing film industry there. The SciFi channel films lots of stuff there.
It really is big up here...I don't know the ins and outs of your being up here legally/illegally, but it might be worth looking into. I have a few connections I could hook you up with, too (look at me go, lol!)
I think you'd like the dancing up here, too.
cottoncandy
11-26-2007, 08:23 AM
I'm sorry you're going through that Yek. Life brings all kind of suprises. About your parents having such expectations for you, I don't think that's right. They should be happy that they have you and you're a kind person. After all the purpose of life isn't to accumulate money. Anyway ssuccessful at your job and rich doesn't equal happiness. I hope things get better for you.
sun child
11-26-2007, 08:41 AM
I think you're really going to find a niche in Portland and it's a pretty cool place to dance....take it easy and let things happen naturally. You're still very young and have a lot of time to be successful in any field you choose to work in...and on top of that, you're only feeling bad because you know you're capable of so much. People who live in the middle of nowhere and work crap jobs don't question themselves likes this; they're just happy with the status quo. You're still striving for something great, but you seem to want it now. It might take a little time...(hug)