I don't think I can do this anymore, but working in the industry is all I have ever known. Have you, or anyone you know, been able to change careers after working in Film?

I'll throw my 2 cents in. I'm an actor, 30 turning 31 soon (which is unbelievable) and i'm about to give it up, or at least start a new career where I have more control and relegate acting to perhaps the occassional night and weekend a la an improv class or shooting my own short film, etc. At least for acting, it's pure luck, plain and simple. i know plenty of really horrible actors, who are also horrible people, who have "made it" and also extremely talented people that can't even get a meeting with an agent. Everything i loved about acting, the passion I've had my whole life, how I rationalized my existence, has been totally warped by this industry. I know see it for what it is: a lottery for the rich and beautiful. I'm niether lol. So I need to do something that I have more control over, where I'm not at the mercy of others and capped on income, so I'm going into sales. Luxury auto sales. the guys make silly money, and for the first time in I dont even know how many years, I'm actually excited. I'm excited to make money, to gain stability, to do all the things my friends i'm no longer on the same page with because i sacrificed everything for my acting in my 20s got to do, like vacation, have a nice apartment, save for a house, etc. etc. I'm ready to actually be successful in something. If acting is mean to find me again later in life, it will. Acting and production are two different animals, but I've always been slightly confused as to why somebody would pursue the production end of things, not to be offensive, becauase it's just as competitive and cutthroat as acting. If you are a filmmaker, why not work a job that actually pays GOOD money and then make films on the side? just my 2 cents. i'm not sure what you reasoning for having gotten into in the first place was, But think about how you can still satisfy that while making money and having career progression you have more control over.

/r/FilmIndustryLA Thread