Working in a warehouse and writing a script
Published Aug 28 2012
We all have to work and earn to make a living, i'm all for that, but it's kinda soul destroying when it's a million miles away from what you want to do. Working for minimum wage, dealing with unsociable people and (basically) arseholes is something to avoid. i want to show you what i put up with and how it lead me to the realisation that life's too short not to be following my filmmaking dream.
My last job (currently re-located to Scotland and looking for something part time) was in a warehouse working on two industrial saws, i mainly cut metal into different pieces all day. I drove forklifts, picked pipe and packed my orders up at the end of every job. I also spent a lot of time hating it, this had a LOT to do with one particular person who was supposed to be a supervisor (although he couldn't spell, speak properly, count or even wash his hands after a trip to the bathroom). Despite this bad apple i managed to get on with everyone else and even have a laugh occasionally. Also i would find, because the job was so bland, i would often retreat into my imagination and find myself writing down story ideas on my work's notepad. In fact i got a lot of rough storyboards done for Spirit Trap and Knock Knock done on my desk, between feeding the machines and opening the gates for our drivers.
At the back end of last year i was completely flattened by the job, i was under a LOT of pressure to do something above my station, something i felt i didn't have the proper training for. Seeing the reaction to my defiance i realised exactly what I meant to the company and knew i had to make a change. I focused on what to do and made a plan. I was to do some type of film school course first (i borrowed Dov S Simmons 2 day filmschool dvd from a friend) and then write a full fledged horror script at least eighty pages long. Basing it around the house i had used when making my Spirit Trap short, i would then try and convince my parents to let me move back in with them and get this movie shot. I didn't want to move back home necessarily, i have been completely independant since moving out and i didn't want to lose that. However the alternative of continuing working in that place just to pay for fuel to get there wasn't very logical either.
I began writing the script in January (2012) and had done several drafts and finished (if it ever is) by early March. My writing regime was tough, i would come home around 6pm, have my tea, check my email etc. Then by no later then 8pm, i would seclude myself to my room, go to my desk and write for around 3 hours. Often feeling like i was repeating myself and STILL not getting the point across properly. Sometimes writing till 1 or 2 in the morning and having to get up and out for work no later then half 7 (the dreaded M62 to Bradford was always a nightmare!). I felt tired but it was still rewarding and i knew i was doing something better then sitting in front of the t.v for hours (not that i don't enjoy that).
Unfortunately the lease on the flat i was in didn't run out until the end of August and i had to keep working to pay for it. Working those last few months was one of the worst things i've ever had to do in my 27 years on this earth. Looking back now, it must have been obvious to people i had detached myself from the job entirely. I still worked hard but i just got on with things and never rose to any arguments (they usually came hourly). I bought a cheap mp3 player and would have one earphone in all day listening to Stephen King audio books, H.P.Lovecraft stories and anything to do with films/filmmaking. This helped the days go faster and kept me sane. I'm a massive reader anyway but with this new input of books during those wasted 8 hours (working time), i managed to read more in those months then ANY other time in my life.
We entered into July and i handed my month's notice to my boss (who was ok) and told him. He said "i've been expecting this for some time", i thought "well, you should have sorted some of the problems i was facing last year then". I got a decent send off from everyone and a certain person suddenly turned into my best friend over night (even wanted me to add them on facebook, no thanks). Also the big boss said i could come back if i ran into trouble (nice to know, don't get me wrong but as a rule i don't take steps backwards). Then i was away and getting closer to my ultimate goal of creating a piece of cinematic history (possibly).
So now i am living back with my parents in the land of scotty and enjoying the change of scenary. I feel more creative now then i think i have before and am zooming towards a shoot date as i type this. Lots to do, people to see and sets to dress but i know that i will come out of this experience with a lesson learned.......follow your dreams and they will become your reality.
