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If you want to work in unscripted television, reality TV — or the entertainment business in general — there are two well-worn paths that lead to success. Which one is right for you? Today we reveal pros and cons on each, and share which one worked for us.
Known Path versus Your Path
[tweet_box]2 Paths to Hollywood Success[/tweet_box]
Like any business, one way to break into the entertainment industry is to start at the bottom.
Get an entry level job, and work your way up.
While this path might not sound glamorous, don’t underestimate it. Along the way you’re earning real credits, meeting people, and getting a sense of how the business really works.
The problem? Working in the entertainment industry is usually long hours. So long, in fact, that by the time the day is done, you’re sapped, and have no energy to put into your own creative endeavors.
On the other hand, there’s the more independent path.
Strike out on your own, produce your own projects, and prove you have the skills needed to work in the industry.
The problem? The industry, almost out of reflex, won’t take you seriously.
You’ll have to fight to prove that what you learned away from the more “standard” path about making film and TV translates, and that can be difficult.
Don’t believe us? Just listen to the RIDICULOUS way we finally broke into the industry.
That’s not to say we wouldn’t have made it eventually (we believe we would have ended up here either way) but it does to show just how much harder the independent path can be.
Which Path is Right for You
Over the years, we’ve come to believe one path isn’t better than the other — just different. The most important thing is that you understand your personality, and what’s going to make you happy in the long run.
Some of what we cover today:
- Financial security versus creative freedom
- Prioritizing your own projects (and what that really means.)
- Deciding how you want to spend your years of hard work
- Pros and Cons of both paths into the entertainment industry
- Which path we chose and why
NOW… press that giant red “PLAY” button above to help decide which Entertainment Industry path is right for you.
Transcript Coming Soon!
Ready to Make Some TV?
Among those who want to strike out and produce your own unscripted television, reality TV, or documentary series? We’re always open to considering your pitches. Here’s how: