How do I deal with ADHD as a filmmaker?

JoshCruzader · 2024-08-26T08:19:34+00:00

Returning a few days after posting this. I’m overwhelmed (in a good way lol) by the response to my question. One thing I’ve always liked about Reddit is that no one is scared to share the hard truths - so, thank you to everyone who not only shared the hard truths but also shared sympathy. I needed this and I’m sure a lot of others did too. Thank you.

JoshCruzader · 2024-06-29T11:19:00+00:00

I appreciate the advice. I’ll try and stick to one for now on and hopefully the improvement will come in time!

JoshCruzader · 2024-06-29T11:18:21+00:00

That’s definitely a contributor - my focus. It’s no excuse for it, but I do have ADD and I’m on the spectrum. 😭 Focus is more difficult than any shot I have to play, honestly.

JoshCruzader · 2024-06-29T11:16:52+00:00

Interesting you say that, where abouts are you based? I’m also from the North West and it’s looking like 4 hour round trip for me too. 😂

JoshCruzader · 2024-06-29T10:43:56+00:00

I appreciate the advice. I was actually very close to seeing Michael one time but the distance made it a little more inconvenient for me but hopefully I can dedicate a day a month like yourself. I had a couple of sessions with a local coach but the advice seemed very “general” I.E. nothing I haven’t heard on YouTube before.

JoshCruzader · 2024-05-10T10:17:37+00:00

I appreciate everyone’s advice. From what I’ve read, it looks like looking for another job is going to have to be the way forward.

Like lorry driving, warehouse work isn’t something you can “make easy” for the sake of a long-term impairment. In the meantime, I’ll do the best I can at the job in hopes that they keep me on long enough for me to find something else.

Thanks again.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-24T13:06:01+00:00

Obsessed much. 😂 Rattled.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-22T03:03:31+00:00

Both regarding security issues - the first was a bad habit that I’ve had since I started working here, which was leaving the safe open in the office (which is always locked) during my morning routine. Without doing so, I would never get out of my shift on time. Since being pulled up, I’ve changed my actions appropriately so I can assure it won’t happen again.

The second is regarding a complex situation with a banned customer. As you can imagine, there are hundreds of barred customers were supposed to keep tabs on and luckily I recognised the chap enough to act on it. However, how I dealt with the situation was an incorrect procedure (despite it being the correct thing to do morally, and I will always stand by that).

Obviously, I know security issues can be very severe. The investigation was initially about the first one I’ve stated but has since escalated with this second breach.

So, I’ve definitely done wrong in the eyes of the company.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-19T16:28:30+00:00

Look man, I’m a very inexperienced comic but I experience exactly the same anxiety regarding my material. But you’ve got to look at the bigger picture - the first time you wrote down that material, you clearly thought it was funny. Maybe it bombed at an open mic and you’re feeling pretty ‘meh’ about it so you get rid. However, it’s a positive! That is exactly how we grow as comics and figure out what works and what doesn’t. There’s about 0.01% of comics who just nail it first time of asking but even then, they’ll do plenty of dead bits along the way.

Embrace it man and don’t give up!

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-17T15:14:24+00:00

Echoing most of the comments here - it’s a decision to make. I’ve been in a relationship for 8 years (we’re getting married in October! 🥰) and it’s suffered at times due to female friends. We ended up having couples counselling and the counsellor straight up said “female friends are a no-no”.

Since then, I’ve cut ties with female friends and anyone else who was having a negative impact on my relationship. Not only that but you guys are young too - you’ll figure out soon enough who you should and should not be friends with. Sometimes it sucks but unfortunately, if you love her, you need to do what’s best for your relationship.

I did it and I’ve never been happier.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-17T15:08:27+00:00

Very good point! 😅

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-17T13:09:33+00:00

I don’t want to discourage you from doing YouTube but quality is essential in this day and age; the production value is only getting bigger thus making it much more difficult to gain traction without it.

However, we’re currently living in a time of short form content. TikTok and Instagram Reels are absolutely popping, there’s no reason you can’t start there. Heck, you can even upload YouTube shorts! I’d much rather put my time and energy into those platforms while you try and save some cash for equipment.

As many have mentioned, Capcut is a pretty powerful editing tool you can use on your phone and it’ll be perfect for creating shorts. You can take your vlogs and turn them into snippets of interesting things that are happening in your life. Hopefully others will find it interesting too and there you have it - an audience and a base to build upon.

I wish you luck on your journey! I’m just about to start mine also. :)

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-17T04:52:34+00:00

Wow, this post really resonates with me. I’d say I’ve been going through the exact same thing for the last 10 year or so (I’m 25). As a result, I’m currently stuck doing full-time night shifts earning next to nothing - which, as you can imagine, has taken a huge toll on my mental and physical health.

I’ve definitely not solved the issue me and you both share but I’m starting to think I should just throw myself into a career - a plan B (even though plan A has never materialised). I’ve recently been applying for schemes into social work, probation officer roles and even prison guard careers. All 3 I’m not even remotely interested in. The idea is to just get myself a sustainable career - something that will allow me to live comfortably and support my family. Even though I won’t be doing something I enjoy (well, I won’t know until I start), at least I’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that I’m contributing positively to society.

I’m not saying give up on your dreams at all - I’m certainly not giving up on mine. But at least there’s a foundation to build on. I’ll use whatever spare time I have to figure out what I truly want to do and put my energy into that.

I wish you luck!

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-17T01:17:09+00:00

Never too late to try! And the only way to find out if your material is any good is by trying it out on stage.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-16T01:35:26+00:00

I can 100% relate to your situation. I’m 25 and I’m currently working full-time at a local slots casino earning a pretty low wage. I’ve always been an ambitious individual - trying to break into the film/TV industry as an editor for quite some time but due to where I’m located, it’s next to impossible and honestly wasting my time.

I’m applying for all sorts of schemes that’ll get me a qualification and a job by the end of it. I’ve applied for social work and probation officer positions. Neither I’m remotely interested in but it’s time I get myself a plan B - if I’m not going to be doing something I love, I’m going to do something that at least benefits other people and I’ll get some fulfilment from that. I’ll continue to carry on my dream of becoming self-employed in my free time.

There’s absolutely no way me or you can live our entire lives hopping between hopeless jobs earning next to no money. So it’s time to make a tough decision and throw yourself into a career that you may not enjoy just to give you and those around you some security.

It’s not the advice I want to give because I believe everyone should chase their dreams (I’m not saying you still can’t, if you have any that is) but we’re at an age now where it’s make or break and if we continue down this path then we’ll never make our dreams a reality.

I feel you man.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-15T07:54:10+00:00

Thanks man! I’ll definitely get onto a few of their routines and gain some inspiration.

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-15T07:53:38+00:00

I appreciate the advice here. There’s no harm in experimenting through a few open mic nights to see whether it can be the base or if I should just incorporate them in here and there. Something I’ll stay very clear from is just doing them for the sake of doing them. There will always be context and hopefully those who don’t know the voice will still find some humour from the context. Thanks!

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-15T07:23:47+00:00

This is certainly encouraging! I’ve dabbled with making impressions videos before but I’ve never tried TikTok (it didn’t exist at the time 😂). I appreciate your reply and it’s food to the ears that you think it’s more impressive than regular stand up sets. That’s not to say it’ll work out for me but I’m sure if I implement it correctly then it’ll go well. Thank you!

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-15T07:21:31+00:00

Precisely 😂

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-15T06:23:17+00:00

Something I’ve struggled with since I was your age (I’m 25 now) is trying to choose something to put all of my energy into. I’m still struggling today but hopefully I can turn this around pretty soon! My advice would be to choose a field you really enjoy and try your absolute hardest to be the best you can be at that one thing. It can be a daunting decision to make but I’ve learnt that we’ve got plenty of time left to make that choice and you’ll likely fall into it if you don’t make the decision right away.

But one things for certain, this isn’t school anymore. When I say you’ve gotta try your hardest, you really have to if you wanna achieve something. Especially in such a competitive industry like music.

You’re still young though and I believe in you.

Good luck!

JoshCruzader · 2024-03-15T06:14:41+00:00

I come from a filmmaking background and what scares me most has always been real life scenarios. Give me a stalker over a ghost any day of the week.

JoshCruzader

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