Upper Marlboro Resident Balancing Work and Filmmaking

You're sitting at your desk, looking at the pictures pinned to your cubical wall. You're missing your film shoot because you had to go to work. Just as suddenly, the boss walks over and drops a stack of papers on your desk. You feel defeated at that moment. You'd rather be making art.

Chris Farmer, an Upper Marlboro resident and member of Cool Kids Forever Films, is working hard to brand himself as a filmmaker. But he recently realized that he needs to get paid stable money for filmmaking or get a full-time job. Naturally, the thought of getting a job automatically turned Chris off.

In many conversations with Chris, he speaks of wanting to do what he loves but his monetary responsibilities won't go away. In order to make decent money at work, you have to work just as hard. You'll miss out on opportunities and you'll kick yourself at times because you work for someone else. This column is not to encourage artists not to work a "9-5." Rather, they should earn money doing what they love. But if you're going to have a job, make sure there is something within it that relates to your freelancing career. The daytime job shouldn't matter; eventually, you'll have to give it up to work for yourself.

The key to making sustainable money as a freelancer is to not work for free. “Supply and demand” should be your motto. Although you are one person, you are still a business. I see some filmmakers doubting themselves, not leaving enough time to concur goals. Make the time to create. While you don't have to be better than the next, you have to be the best at what you do.

Lastly, if you have a “9-5” and want to be successful in your career, then say hello to many sleepless nights and busy days. There are no days off when you're on the “come up." So if you have a full-time job, schedule yourself accordingly.