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When I was 18, I had a lot of interests. It was difficult for me to choose a major. I just knew I wanted to study something that I was passionate about. I ended up choosing philosophy as my major, as it was broad, and I could explore other subjects through my electives.
But I took a summer film class my first year in college, and fell in love with the art of filmmaking. I then realized that my school offered a program in film production technology.
Once the summer semester was over, I decided to pursue a double major and added film classes to my graduation plan. Although filmmaking is my passion and part of my degree, I never pursued it as a career.
Filmmaking quickly became my passion
It was exhilarating to work at something that I found fun. Short film projects felt like playing, and I began immersing myself in classic films to study my craft.
I could suddenly see a future that excited me. I loved imagining myself on a professional set, directing my own films one day.
The idea that someone could enjoy their job became very real.
After graduation, I realized I wanted a different life
Working in the film industry frightened me in some ways. It was difficult to imagine not finding work, but I knew the majority of jobs were in Los Angeles. I had grown up in Miami and was growing tired of city life.
When I completed the two-year program and graduated, I didn’t want to move across the country to LA, where I thought I needed to be if I truly dreamed of making my own films. My values were changing, and I was seeing that I desired a slow-paced schedule.
I already had a dog and a cat at home. I enjoyed working in the morning and being home by the late afternoon. I knew that making a film was a huge undertaking and often required long days. As I envisioned myself with a family more and more, I didn’t see those hours matching up with what I really wanted.
Film school altered the course of my life, but not in the way I had once imagined
I told myself that I would keep filming projects and make documentaries, but life kept happening, and I never did. I think there was a part of me that had to distance myself from my love of film in order not to miss it so much.
Even when it came to watching movies, I was never the same, as it’s difficult to watch anything without studying it. It took years for me to cozy up to movies again and just watch something leisurely. I’ve even started making a few short videos of my family just for fun, and it felt nice to remember that I know how to do that.
The experiences I had in film school gave me the skills I’ve used in jobs ever since. Because I had to storyboard and plan out so much before filming, it wasn’t as difficult for me to plan lessons when I became a teacher. Coordinating everything on a film set was also very similar to managing a literary discussion with 30 teenagers.
I learned to go after what is right for me
I don’t regret going to film school even though I never actually worked in that field.
I’ll never have to wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t, because I was brave enough to explore my passions.
By studying what interested me, I saw that even though it was something I loved and enjoyed, it wasn’t the right fit for me career-wise.
Filmmaking is a part of my history that I look back on fondly. I’m proud of myself for having studied something artistic and for being able to let it go to find my true fit.
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