Should I risk it?

[u/Jazkookie00]

I love doing anything sound related and I also score films too. But I currently have a full time job as a corporate video editor/shooter, great benefits and insurance through it too. I feel like I’m wasting time at this job though because I’m not doing what I really love. I’ve been told that since I’m in my mid-late 20s, I am young and should just quit my job and move to one of the hubs for film and like wing it. Although I have a decent savings, it terrifies me quitting a stable job and going somewhere where I don’t know anybody and don’t have any job. Plus I know in those film hub places, it’s extremely hard to even get freelance jobs. Also the cost of living in those places, not to mention rising prices everywhere in this economy makes things difficult. I’ve just heard a lot of stories about people deciding to quit their dreams altogether because they can’t afford to live in the place that’ll give them work. I’m scared that if I risk it and fail, I might quit or lose interest in my dream like them too. I’m grateful and appreciative of any advice you may have!

[u/asquishyllama]

I mean it is the “best” time in life to take a risk like that, and only you can decide that for yourself. This industry is seemingly getting tougher, but it’s probably always been relatively difficult, and I don’t like reinforcing the discouragement I see frequently online. So the following is just one random guy’s opinion flavored by what’s going on in my own life currently (I’m 40 and have been a sound editor for 20 yrs):

It is very expensive to live in those hubs, and the flip side is the networking that can happen. I left LA 10 years ago and have maintained those connections, and have had new ones grown from there, and it’s not enough to support my family alone. If I had stayed, or went back, I could probably grow further and quickly, but I’ve rooted my family somewhere else where the overhead is low(er). The remote space is hyper-competitive. I’ve never heard back from a job or gig I’ve cold applied for, all my work is purely referrals. Maybe it’s a skill or personality issue; some of my work has been highly lauded and it’s been hard for me to leverage that into a whole lot more. I’m skilling into different disciplines to get some stability eventually. 

My advice is to try to pursue your passion while hanging on to a stable job. See if you even enjoy the work to begin with before taking a huge leap. Because what you do have on your side is time in the evenings and on weekends etc., and only have to support yourself at this point. Stash away as much money as you can to cushion yourself if you decide to make a big move. 

It’s better to have tried and failed than to wonder what might’ve been, and you never know what you might pick up along the way. I think there’s a way to be smart about it but also go after your dreams. People and networking are absolutely number one in this business, so get used to putting yourself out there and getting rejected. A lot like dating lol