Need some advice and perspective

[SDH]

I'm a 22 year old in Boise Idaho who is graduating with a political science degree and a C average. I have always loved writing, filming movies and learning the craft of it any way possible. My lifelong dream has been to make movies, but through some combination of cowardice and complacency, I have stayed put in Boise taking classes I hate so I can graduate. I promised myself that once I followed through and finished, I would follow my passion.

And here I am. As I am quickly discovering, "following your passion" through continued education with a few freshman Ds on a transcript is not so easy. Although I am confident in my abilities as a writer and a hard worker, I have been uniformly awful in most subjects. I can write screenplays all night without breaking a sweat, but studying effectively for a test on Kant eluded me. These low grades pretty much remove me from consideration for graduate level programs. That being said, I would like to:

*meet like minded people and work together

*have access to equipment and learn how to use it all

*be given a chance to create several film projects

What advice would any of you offer me? Should I try and take undergrad film classes somewhere? Should I move to L.A. and deliver coffee? Should I do a certificate school? The world owes me nothing, and I have hurt my future by settling for something I shouldn't have. But now I must overcome a poor GPA and a few wasted college years. I just don't know where to put my first foot down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dragynally]

You said you were 22 not 82 right? Cause you're talking like you life is over. Now back to your questions. Try to find practical experience in the field or do a certificate program. Experience is always helpful when applying to any graduate program. Good luck and please relax. You're making me nervous.

 

[Alice]

The first thing you should do is: Chill
Man I know what is like to want something so badly that the minor possibility that you will fail makes you wanna die. That's something that you have to turn to your favor. Make this passion drive you, and leave behind your cowardice.
Now, let's get into business. So you want to work in films. Okay that is the first thing you should never forget. Your main goal.
Now what a person that wants to work in this area has to do? In my opnion you have 3 options:
(Considering that movies cost a lot of money, and that is the main problem)

- Get rich (or find someone rich) And finance your own productions.
- Get into business. Try internships and go making your own path. (The old school way, but also the most insecure way)
- The Academic way (The one you want to follow, I guess).
I know you think that your chances are ruin because some poor grades, but it is not like that.
I believe that the first thing you should do is get professional advice. Go to your graduate assistant and ask about your chances to get into a graduate program, if there is something that you can do to up your grades. Be honest, is nothing wrong in doesn't understand Kant ( I should now, Im a philosopher's student).
Now, If there is really nothing you can do to get in a good school in USA, well look at the world like a camp of possibilities. In fact that's what the world should be.
You would be surprise to see how many countries doesn't consider your grades like the most important thing in the world. Scholarships are offer in so many great countries, so why not try?
Your second option, if you do not wish to get out of USA, is do another undergarduation. It is nothing wrong with that, you are so young... And man, 2 degrees is the best!
Another thing that I believe you should turn to your favor is your degree in political science. You now have a very good degree and, all over the world, it opens so many doors. You know that almost all countries look for professionals in this area? And many sholarships are offer to this? You could try do a project that combine this 2 areas (cinema and political science).
If you are worried about the connexions that are create in a masters programm (that you won't create if you study in another country). Then I have 2 advices for you 1- Get a internship right now. How? Going door to door. Send e-mails to all the producers in your area, and offer a VOLUNTEER (NO MONEY) internship, remember it is all about the learning and the connexions. Keep in touch with contacts you make and try to amplify your net. Create a good network in such a way that when you comeback doors will be open to you. And the second thing is: Do a ph.d program! Just make sure that you have good grades this time! (It should be easier, since you wouldn't have to worry about Kant anymore )
Thats it! Hope I help you, this is my biggest post in this forum (!!)
If you need more unprofessional advice I'm here

 

[Justin18]

SDH,

What's your story? I would just look for it and express and it.

You said you have talent at writing screenplays. That's good, you've recognized something which escapes many people the whole of their lives, and that is finding their passion.

So now you just need to make a plan for expressing it. Is it writing that you are particularly fond of? Directing? Producing? Whatever it is, I believe that self-education is (at least at first) the best route to getting where you want to be.

Give yourself like a month to write something or direct something. Use every minute of your spare time. You'll be writing or movie-making when your eyes are red, but keep doing it. Your first project may be **** in terms of craft, but have more passion than most movies today. Then read 5 books about the craft of the subject you're interested in - screenwriting, directing, whatever. Create something again. You'll find that this time you're more comfortable with the craft, and craft + passion is what wins in the story world. Then you'll have something to submit to schools or show to people in order to achieve those *asteriks* you've listed. Without a sample, without bringing your thoughts into the world of time and form, your thoughts are just that - thoughts.

Stories are about people with psychological problems, and how they come to resolve those problems by "completing their souls." You live in Idaho, you have passion to the point where you'd be willing to "deliver coffee" in order to do something else, and you feel like you've wasted the last few years of your life. How did you get to this point? What would happen if you got what you wanted in the future? What would happen if you didn't get what you wanted? You have a story. I'd be interested in it! Tell your story in the form of a screenplay or movie (short, full-lenght, whatever). Realize that every character in those stories is merely a part of your own soul. You're telling YOUR story in dramatic, narrative form.

Making stories means you have to examine yourself. "The first work of an artist is himself." You don't NEED anything else in order to be successful at this. You have everyhting you need right now. Just tell your story. Listen for it, and tell it. Hear and create.

When you feel comfortable with your stories, send them off to grad schools. Or to people who could help you to realize your visions. Find your own path. These books have helped me a lot, maybe they'll help you, too:

Planning your career - Zen and the Art of Making a Living (Laurence Boldt), The Tao of Abundance (Boldt)

Screenwriting - Screenwrting 434 (Lew Hunter), The Weekend Novelist, The Writer's Journey, Conflict Action + Suspense (Reader's Digest Series)

Directing - Watch movies on your favorite director, read biographies and interviews on him/her, read criticism on him/her on rotten tomatoes.com

Producing - Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)

Best of luck! Keep the faith.