Bowling for creatives

In advertising, the creative directors, writers and art directors are called creatives. Now, I've wanted to be a copywriter since I got into my advertising major and learned what a copywriter did. After that I got into the film scene. Since then I've had aspirations to be a screenwriter, director, editor, and producer. Not at all at the same time and not with the same intensity. I also like advertising as an industry, so I've thought of mixing the two worlds, like I'm doing now or going to work for a production company that does spots.

Recently I've had a bunch of career prods, and I'm not sure what direction I should take. I suppose there are a few options:

Copywriter: Pretty cool and not terribly hard to get into in comparison with the rest of my job specs. However, I've seen how young copywriters get treated and it's not pretty. In the end they answer to some know-nothing creative director. And if you don't like your job you're pretty much screwed because you're going to be there 60 hours a week. Plus, this will probably involve 2 more years of school- it's required at mullen and it would probably be a good idea for anywhere. Also, I would go crazy if I wasn't making films, and the extra time at work would make it hard to even have that as a hobby.

Director: Hah. How many people aspire to this? True, I have actual talent, but the only improves the odd very slightly. The only way I'm ever going to get to do this is if I produce the films myself. Which, if I come into some money or find a wealthy investor who is interested in the art of film and not making money- I could do some equally unlikely thing. And when I say wealthy, I mean it. I have 4 feature ideas I'm working on right now. The cheapest to produce at a rock bottom budget would be 75,000. It was all fun and games in college, but the gig's up, sweetheart.

Editor: Well, I've got and I'm getting experience. I could probably break into the big times as soon as I get to do something worth showing at mullen. But I'm not sure this is for me. I've got some skill at composition, but being in advertising I'm asked to do all sorts of stuff like animation and sound design. And judging by the trend of the business, there might not be a place for a straight composition editor like myself who sucks horribly at animation. Also in many things I do I get to be told how to edit by people who wouldn't know how to digitize media. I'm sure it's worse in an industry like advertising where not everyone is in production, but I know a good many directors who don't know jack about production. Besides, forfeiting creative control every time the director wants me too, even if he does a good job, isn't my idea of a fun time.

Producer: I don't think my heart can take this job. I have an easy in- I've been told a number of times that I might have to be moved to production if business keeps up. Once I work in advertising production it would be easy to move to whatever media I want to work in. But it's a ton of pressure. I like the leadership of the role, but again, I'm not sure my heart can take stopping every time something goes wrong in ANY facet of production. On the other hand, it's a good position for someone like me, who is well rounded and has touched every possible job in filmmaking.

Screenwriter: This would be pretty cool, but it's something I can try to get into while working in another job. Also, even if I got steady work as a writer, I'd still not be happy unless I got to do something else during production. I'm writing 2 feature scripts right now to send to studios that I've already decided if I can sell them, I'm using the money to fund one of my other productions on the table.

So I have any number of complicated options, with the nagging fear that I won't be happy no matter what I do, and that if I go into film and 'make it' that I'll be restless because I'll have no where to go from there. Right now, I'm trying to decide where to make my next step. 3 things have happened very recently that could open a career for me.


1) The writer's strike- I was only half joking when I said I was going to be a treacherous scab. I'm blazing through one of the feature screenplays I'm working on and hopefully by the time it's ready to go the studios will be eager to hear from writers.

2) I just got a form in my e-mail asking me where I see my career heading. If I write in that I'm planning to go into producing, I'll probably be in LA by next week, and I'm not exaggerating.

3) I just got invited to go bowling with the creatives(agency event, pretty much everyone is going to be there). A good many of them owe me a favor(that's the great part about having a job no one else can do without training, people think they owe you just for doing your job). If I ask them about agencies that don't require portfolio school, or to help me put a book together, or to put in a good word for me at VCU, miami or brainco (the only portfolio schools I really want to go to) I have a great shot at being a copywriter or in portfolio school by the time my lease is up.

So really that next step is almost as baffling as long term goals.