What part of the process isn't fun anymore? What was/is your specific role in the process (writer? writer/director? cinematographer? writer/director/cinematographer? editor? w/d/c/editor...)? Could you identify, exactly WHAT is now different? How did it change from what you used to do before?

I can't help with your specific situation. However...

When one is earning a living, one can't let "burn out" affect them.
Going to work isn't about fun. Please don't misunderstand - I love
my jobs (all of them) and I have fun, but I do have the option to slow
down because I feel burnt out. And I do - often. I certainly not allow
burnout to affect me for months or weeks or even days. I gotta get
up and go to work or I don;t get paid. And as a freelancer if I allow
burnout to affect me for a week or more I won't get the next job. I
can tell you that helps me get over the feeling of burnout pretty quick.

But then you already know that. As you say, you fall under all three (already
in the industry, looking to get in or just plain into it) so that means there
are times when you have a job in the industry. You know you cannot just
stop because you feel burnout. You have to show up on set and do your job.

What you fall under the first catagory (already in the industry) what is your
specific role? How do you handle burnout on a work day?

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

If you're in college, then I presume you're young. And, yes, you will get tired after a long stretch of work, but, in the end, are you happy you did it? Are you proud of what you did? If so, then keep at it.

That said, many people don't like their jobs, and most will switch careers several times in their working life - and, as each generation works longer and defers retirement, and, as the world continues to change at an ever-faster pace, people will see ever-more changes to their work. I don't know what the future holds for you, but you WILL go through the peaks and valleys for the rest of your life. Churchill called his bouts of depression the "Black Dog", but he handled it. You have to do the same, if you want to succeed in life.

The only way to handle this is to develop "emotional intelligence". I suggest you read the Dummies Guide to Emotional Intelligence. Then read Goldman's classic work on it, and go on from there. And, remember, reading is not enough; you have to practice it as well.

Good luck, and tell us how you fare. 🙂

I believe that folks that write/shoot/direct/edit a single film are more likely to face burnout problems than a person that writes multiple movies (or edits multiple movies) and then moves on. Perhaps you need to find someone to hand the project off too, someone with fresh perspective and a full reserve of energy.

RJSchwarz

I believe you're on to something rj and I really appreciate everyone else weighing in. I want to move into the editing profession but I do write, shoot, direct, everything. But isn't that what you're supposed to do at 19? I've heard and read, you've gotta figure out what you want to do asap so people can help you move in that direction. I've also heard/read that if you know what's good for you, do everything even if half of it doesn't become your job. Which is it?

About the source of the burnout... Now that I'm a tv/film major it's not as fun anymore. This is serious, i've got to work to stay in the game.

Yes I probably am doing too much but I don't see any time to take a break and I really want to.

I don't know yet if I'm not the right person for this and should quit but it always feels like i'm supposed to be doing something film related even if it means losing sleep, getting sick, absolutely hating my major and all things film for a few days and draining myself in every way.

This after school program is pretty well known and while most of it is all in my head I feel pressured to keep up/catch up since i'm still affiliated with them and wouldn't be where I am without it. Naturally everyone wants to know what you're doing now and take a break doesn't sound good. If there's any truth to staying current, interesting and important or they'll replace you so fast your head will spin i believe it.

quote:

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Originally posted by 15filmakernyc
I've heard and read, you've gotta figure out what you want to do asap so people can help you move in that direction. I've also heard/read that if you know what's good for you, do everything even if half of it doesn't become your job. Which is it?

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When you find out for sure you will be able to make a
fortune with books and lectures. I sure wish it was as
easy as deciding between those two options. I've been
trying both since I was 13 and still don't know which it is.

What I wanted at 13 was different than what I wanted at 19
which was different than what I wanted at 25 which was different
than what I wanted at 30...

I have always told people that if when I was 19 I looked into the
future and saw what I was doing today I would have killed myself.
Not al all what saw myself doing at that age. But I love what I'm
doing and wouldn't change it for anything.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)