My dream is to become a film director but my mom doesn’t like that career because she said it’s a “coo coo” job and that they don’t make a lot of money etc. When I wanted to be a vet she use to brag about it. When I was 12 I decided that I wanted to be a film director and she haven’t told anyone about it since. Every time she catches me writing in my books she give me this mean stare even today she mumbled until her breath saying that why I still write. What is really upsetting that in the fall she is making me do a career that I really don’t enjoy doing because she thinks film directing is stupid. It really upsets me because I’ve wanted to be a film director for almost 7 years now and she still doesn’t accept the fact I want to do that. She even called my books stupid when I was 13 and all which still hurts me to this day.
She is making me do another career in mass communication that I don’t want to do. But I was thinking since Film Directing and the other career she wants me to do is both in the same major. Maybe I can choose a major and a minor? I am getting my basics out of the way first so I still have time to save money and all if she decides not to pay for Filming.
I really sympathize with your feelings of being unsupported by your parents. But some practical questions to help you think this through: who is paying for your education? If it’s your parents, unfortunately they kind of call the shots on this. BUT have you sat down with them and talked about your dreams for your career? Do some research on how one enters the field, what education you’d need, what your realistic earning potential is. Talk to professors in that field at your college and get their advice too. If you want your mom to respect you and treat you and your ideas and plans like an adult…present it as such. Do the research and the math and present your case.
Most parent’s are afraid for your future and want you to make good academic choices so you’ll be employed. But alot of parents have no idea how that works in the visual and creative fields. So you’re going to need to be your own best advocate.
And if that doesn’t work? Keep doing the research. Figure out how to wiggle into this field via a mass comm degree. Attend every film event you can. Find a mentor in the field (again you’ve got the major and profs at the college you already attend). Read all the books about film making. There’s a lot of ways in to these fields and you’ll find it by doing this kind of work.
I recommend you do some research on successful film directors and see what paths they have taken. For example, Spike Lee has a BA in Mass Com from Morehouse and made his first student film while he was there. Steven Spielberg has a particularly interesting early career.
This may be a slightly controversial approach but a friends daughter is taking a gap year (which might turn into more than a year) and working in the film industry in NYC. Most directors don’t get jobs directing right out of college, so she’s switching it up and working as a PA and most recently as an AD and learning on the job.
It’s not for everyone and being a freelancer has its ups and downs. If you really want it though it might be something to consider rather than spend time and money on a four year degree you don’t really have interest in pursuing.