Expert: Phil Nemy - 9/28/2004

Question
i am currently a high school senior and bogged down for career choices. i chose to pursue a minor in cinema/television, which includes directing. i'm wondering how hard it is to succeed in the industry. do hispanic aspiring directors often get work? where do i find an internship? is the job worthwhile? whatis your salary like? thanks  

Answer
Dear Chris,

Thanks for writing. I'm going to be blunt and honest. The chances of you EVER making a living in the motion picture or television industry as a director is slim. Very slim. However, I am assuming by what you wrote that you are hispanic. That will help you. There are a number of minority opportunities for your directors like yourself. When you finish college, you will be able to take advantage of them. In fact, while you are enrolled in college, apply for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences internship program in their television directing area. It's a wonderful opportunity that can lead to real employment.

It is difficult for any aspiring director to find work as a director, let alone a minority director. Your calling card is your director's reel. You have to have directed a short film that is killer, is amazing, blows everyone awawy. That's what's going to open the door for you, regardless of your race or religion.

The salary for directors varies. Feature film directors can make as little as $25,000 and as much as $6.0 million per film. Television directors can make anywhere from $15,000 to $250,000 per show. It all depends upon how good you are and how succesful you become. The better directors get paid the higher amounts. Check out the Directors Guild of America website for rates for directors. They post the minimum rates for union directors for film and televison.

I hope this information helps.

Good luck!

Phil