“Me, Inc.” #3: Save what you got
Yesterday shortly before holding my tutorial I met Michi, a former teacher in the computer lab. We talked and joked a bit and I told him that I was on my way becoming self-employed. He raised his eyebrows and started throwing good advice around.
He said “save 50% of everything you make. If you still got something after two years you can start very cautiously buying things. And always watch your tax category! And sometimes it’s better to keep your money than buying that new computer that’ll leave you without the money you need to pay the bills *now*.”
That made sense.
“Yet I thought you wanted to go abroad, like to some post-facility in London…?” he suddenly asked. London, or Vancouver, better yet California, that’s where I see myself in five years, preferably sooner. But it’s a long road, I told him: “Now that I’m finished with school the only thing of value I got in my showreel is that Veronica Ferres clip (read up on it here) and that’s not much. I really want to apply at any interesting post-production house I know, but I just don’t have anything to show!”
Michi nodded and agreed, then he suggested that I become employed at Red Bull once again: “They pay good money and they always need good people. The thing is that they don’t do any VFX. But you could have some pet projects on your weekends, make connections and hone your demo reel. But then you can’t teach anymore tough.”
I realized that I had become a spoiled brat: I can’t see myself working from nine to five, five days a week, for 4 or 6 months. I wouldn’t be able to push it thorough. And I really like teaching at the university of applied sciences here. Yet I need money to live and interesting and visually rewarding projects for my reel, e.g. my future.
Gee, life has become a complicated mess of uncertainties after graduation. Who knew?
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