The Breakthrough Is Patented Technology!

"Not another serious post Nathan!"

Though I have a good deal of confidence in myself and the power of a dream in the hands of someone with extreme determination it is hard not to look at a field of study, such as my own, and not feel a little tinge of worry when it comes to what the future will hold for me. Film Student? In North Carolina? Nathan, what are you going to do with that? If you're a drama student, a writer, a fine arts student, ect. ect. you know the feeling I have. You either teach it, take a job in some random and unrelated field, or you wander the streets in search of the direction that will lead you towards success. Is Wilmington the final destination for that success for me? Almost certainly not.
Wilmington, at one point, had a booming film economy. It was by no means as big as it's west coast relatives but with it's beautiful locations and third largest studio outside of Hollywood in the U.S. there was a great feeling of promise for old port city and film. From the early 80s to the early 90s several great films were made at or near Wilmington. All through the 90s films were made in locations all around North Carolina. It was a huge boost to the economy with increased tourism and jobs in the film industry but also lent a feeling of pride to the locals who saw their beloved state as the backdrop for big-budget films screened nationally and globally.
Sadly, since the mid-90s, rising production costs in the state and much much lower ones in states like Arizona, which offer incentive packages to filmmakers, as well as lower costs in Canada and overseas, have aided the decline of the industry not just in Wilmington, but in the entire state. Wilmington is but a dry petal of the once blossoming flower it was. The lack of an incentive package from the state could kill what little influence we once had on the film market. Wilmington's luster might fade. Which could leave me in a bit of a pickle.
I know that I don't want to be just another cameraman. Just another production assistant. Just another slobberingly alcoholic writer on the verge of breakdown. I want to nose in and make it as big as I possibly can. Strong words for a relatively quite joke of a kid from middle-of-nowhere North Carolina, but if I'm going to do this, I'm going to go for the whole sha-la-la. Which brings me to the question of should I do this? If I'm going to be a real filmmaker I first have to learn what I'm doing, then prove to everyone that I have the talent to do it, then I have to beat my way though a sea of other excellent talent to somehow (through luck or will of God) find a place in what may be the most competitive job market on the planet. I can't see that happening in a place where the biggest production jobs are second rate TV dramas and commercials.
If North Carolina doesn't pass the proposed film incentive package this January, it could be the end for me and film...or me and North Carolina. A move out of state and a decision to follow film could be the kiss of death to my or my family/friend's hope of a normal life for me. No 9-5. No wife, not for a long time. No kids. What direction is this going and what direction am I going? I guess the truth is that I don't need to nor am I supposed to know. I know that whatever happens I'll be taken care of and, hopefully, though perhaps bit reworked, my dreams will still come true.
If life is a day long then I'm at 5 AM. The sun is just breaking over the horizon and I have a long and mysterious road to travel. But from birth we all started at the same place and somehow found our ways to the paths that we felt most suited us. Somehow I feel this unpredictable road ahead of me is just the road I was made for. The road I've been stumbling in the dark to find for all these years. With God's guidance I trust it will lead to a wonderful place and a happy ending.
If you like me and want me to live hear please contact your representatives or research more out the proposed film incentive online or through other means. Let them know how much this stuff means to you!!!

For those of you bored to tears/skimming out of indifference...never fear. I have a post of me showing off my Christmas present from Matt coming soon! STAY TUNED