(For those of you reading this from the frontpage, this is a post in the Filmmaker Introductions section.)

I'll be the first schmuck to introduce himself in this forum. My name's Elliott, I'm from Texas and have very little to do with film at this point. I got interested in filmmaking about three years ago when I decided to go to college for it. I might've gotten into it more seriously if my stupid high school, one of the richer ones in the neighborhood, was smart enough to have had something close to a film program, but that's another gripe. I've written a total of one a half scripts and tried to get together with some local Studentfilms-dot-com-ers to produce one of them; but we had to bail due to lack of availability of actors and crew. We got the equivalent of a scene and half before everything shut down.

I went to the Art Institute of Dallas for Video Production, so I'm very video oriented and highly believe in the video revolution. While at school I worked shortly for a national television show shot here locally and got paid nicely six months after the fact. I left school a year and half ago for the usual reasons of disagreeing with them, not believing in myself, but also, ultimately, for lack of transportation. I feel I left knowing enough to get a start somewhere, but as I read more of this forum I always see that there's more I should know.

While being a shiftless lay about, I try to keep my dreams alive by meeting with my school friends to talk about possible work in the future and coming here to listen to your current projects. In a weird way I keep my enthusiam for this field by feeding off of your stories and those of my friends.

My true dream is that of any other, to be a director with the power to create his exact vision with the best possible tools available but without having to compromise to hundreds of studio execs and market research firms. Although that is my true dream, I have figured out that I would be happy working almost anywhere in this field because I think that, for the most part, only cool people work in this industry.

And if you've bothered to read this entire rant, I love you.


-Elliott

I love you too.....

I would like to say thank you as well for posting the other, and more common story most aspiring film makers experience. You always here the Robert Rodriguez/ some other guy success story that fill you with hope but this is the reality most of us face; struggling day by day to make our dreams a reality.

Keep at it man, my one piece of advice would be write more since it's something you can do all by your lonesome. In fact the one thing I like about my "day" job is the fact that for many hours it is just me working by myself and gives room for brain storming. I have come up with and begun many a story outline during these times. Just do'nt let the dream die brother.
R. Michael

Thanks for the words Tizz.

-Elliott

I agree with Mr. Tizz McWorter. Plus, when your friends are out of state or lazy you've got time to write daily. Even when its random or stupid at the moment, most times when I look back the idea fits in something else I'm doing. These random things that pop in my head are much easier to write and expand on compared to a prompt someone gives me. I guess that if its a gut feeling its something I want to and I'm meant to explore.

So I feel a little update is in order seeing that things have actually changed in six months.

After a couple of months of nothing happening I managed to land a PA gig at a local production house. Right now I'm just happy I'm working here than at any of the other jobs I had in the past. However, I'm still not doing quite exactly what I want to be doing, I've found out. I'm shooting and editing, but nothing interesting or fun. Damn I need my own camera. So yeah, I'm paying my dues for now and hopefully soon will be able to work on something for myself.

Also, I knocked up my ex. Can't wait to see how that changes things.

-Elliott