Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 2/18/2008

Question
HI WANDA, MY NAME IS TANIA AND I'M 28 YEARS OLD. I BEEN WANTING TO GET INTO THE FILM INDUSTRY FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. I DON'T HAVE EXPERIENCE BUT I KNOW I CAN GO TO SCHOOL AND LEARN. I BEEN DISCOURAGED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT NOW I JUST WANT TO GO FOR IT IF ITS NOT TOO LATE. MY QUESTION IS WILL I BE ABLE TO START AT THIS AGE?

Answer
Hi Tania...And thanks for writing.

It's never too late.  Of course, the older we get, the harder it is for us to learn things.  But if you are persistent and you are committed, you can do it.

I'm sorry that you have been discouraged by what others have said.  That is not unusual for people considering a change and moving into the performing arts.  It's only because they want what is best for you.  And they might not realize the potential of the industry.  

So, it's important that you make a choice as to who it is that you are going to listen to.  There will always be people that think what you are doing or who you want to be is not right.  But it is more important that YOU believe in it and that YOU are at peace with what you are doing.  No one else should be allowed to live your life for you.

So, find film schools or colleges and apply.  Whether acting or directing or writing or producing...go for it!  If you are thinking about not going to school but entering film anyways, find film auditions and audition to act or apply for jobs in film.  Read about film.  Go to films.  Take workshops on acting or directing or whatever it is that you are interested in.  Even if you apply to school, you can start doing these things.  

What school will do for you though is connect you to people who know people.  

Does that help?

Wanda
www.kaizenworks.org