I’m About To Do The Scariest, Stupidest Thing Ever:
April 3rd, 2009 by Andy |
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In just a little over one week I will hopefully be wrapped on doing VFX for Terminator: Salvation. When I do finish, I will be quitting. Not just quitting my job at the company I work for, I’m quitting VFX entirely. I have spent the past 7 years of working long days (and often long nights) doing CG for films and commercials, and then spending my ‘free time’ at night and on weekends making short films and videos for this site and others. It is almost impossible to write, plan, film, edit, and distribute something while sitting in an office for 8 to 16 hours per day, 5 to 7 days per week. I’ve done it over and over, and every single time it was hell on wheels. I have finally reached the point where I must stop one or the other, at least for a little while- or else I will go insane! I listen to NPR on the drive to and from work every single day. I read the news. I know how incredibly unsound a decision it is to quit a well-paid, stable job in the face of the worst economic collapse in decades (if not ever). But I have been saving money for years, and have recently decided to use that money to support my dream instead of putting it as a down payment on a house as I had always planned. I came to Los Angeles in 1998 to go to film school. I went to film school to make movies. I graduated and have been working on other people’s movies ever since, with my own projects crammed into the spare hours left over. So now, despite the economy, I have decided to make a run at this ‘Directing’ thing full time, while I still can. The plan is to take at least 6 months (if not several years) off from working a day job to focus on doing what I came here to do. Everyone whom I have talked to about this has been surprisingly supportive- not a single person has tried to caution me or otherwise convince me to change my mind. In fact, this decision has almost been more nerve-wracking given how little opposition I’ve heard. I am mildly terrified, but also more excited about it than anything I’ve done in a long time. My VFX skills are not going to disappear, and I have an open door at my current company to return, should I burn through all my savings and need to come crawling back for more. What does this mean for The AV Club? First up is the completion of Team Apocalypse, a new pilot we have been working on for quite a while now. And then more Psycho Bob episodes. And after that, more web series, music videos, short films, spec commercials… anything that seems worth making! So stay tuned to this site- there will be plenty of new content, news and updates as this exciting chapter begins! -Andy Cochrane |
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April 3rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Good luck fucker, you know my thoughts
Dont forget to hit me up if you need any fx assistance.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
congrats, dude. good for you.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
Way, way awesome. You’ve thought it through and prepared for this, so that’s probably why people are totally supportive. I think it’s a great idea, and if you ever need weekend help on projects you do, let me know. =)
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Awesome! That is quite scary. But does this mean more costuming work for me?….Because I’m totally in. Soon my show will go up and I’ll have a little more spare time. Good Luck, Andy!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:45 pm
You will all be getting repeated pleas for help, regardless of whether or not you offer it
Thank you all for the support, I certainly am going to need it.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Go for it, Andy! It’s now or never.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
awesome andy. congrats on your decision and best of luck with directing. very cool.
i found out the same thing when i decided to take a year off from work a long time ago. not to do anything, just to do it. almost everyone was completely envious and supportive. but few were not and either cautioned me against it or informed i’d better accomplish something with the time. you really learn who the positive folks in your life are when you do something like this.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Hey Andy,
Good choice! I hope it works out for you. Down the line maybe you can direct one of my music videos!
Josh
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
You just let me know when you want to do it and I’m there
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
You got the talent and a good group of friends ready to support you. You’ll do just fine.
April 4th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Hi Andy!
it is tough to make a decision, but now that you have done it you should feel pretty good and confident.
I think the plan is awesome and you´re a talented guy, so it´ll be great!
Congrats and good luck!
Bea
April 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Everyone has been supportive probably because you’re not a dumbass and will most likely succeed in your endeavors.
Rock on. It’s good to do something once in awhile that scares the shit out of you – keeps the lichen from forming on your ass.
Congratulations on getting out of the rat race and doing what you really love. Much good luck to you. Kick ass and take names.
April 13th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hey Andy,
I think this will prove to be the best thing you have ever done for yourself. I to have dwelt in the cave of other people’s dreams and schedules…and it is no feast! Having worked with you, I have absolutely no doubt of your vision, skills, and integrity. I am fully expecting big things from you chief. if there is ever a way I can help be it with acting, a shoulder to weep upon, or a lifter of inordinately heavy things in the inordinately earliest hours of the morning, I’m your rented mule. C U Tuesday, Mr. C.
April 13th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
My only hope is that I can live up to your guys’ faith in my abilities. Thank you all for the kind words and support, and a special thank you to Sam and Babs for providing a massive amount of celebratory alcohol this past weekend, it made the decision even more celebratory than it was before
June 30th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Faith? HA! One less job to fight for you mean
Nice Jamaica pic’s, hard work wasnt it..