I have been working in the film industry for the past 4 years or so, as a production assistant mostly, and sometimes as an assistant director (two very lowly roles, don’t be fooled by the self-important sounding “assistant director” title, it has very little to do with directing, more to do with “making coffee”).
Slowly but surely I’m side-stepping into the area I’m really aiming for – directing. But although the experience in any role in the film industry is invaluable (I count my on-set observations as my “film school”), no-one will let you (or pay you to) direct until you can show them you can. So I’ve just shot my first “real” (read: not student) short film and am in the exciting first stage of the edit. Whether or not I can sustain a directing career in this country remains to be seen, but getting myself on track and being able to see some sort of road ahead of you certainly makes you feel alive.
