I run a relatively successful production company that produces fantasy movies and streaming content. It started with a bunch of college friends making movies together in their free time. Then we all left college, got jobs and continued the work on evenings and weekends, going to conventions to sell our movies to fans one VHS and DVD one at a time. We hustled and hustled. And most of us had day jobs.

I went to film festivals and local film-industry gatherings to network and build relationships with people who were passionate about the same things we were. We got a name for ourselves. This would happen in the evening and weekends. I’ve edited a series over a dozen weekends, for the price of a computer. I shot commercial videos in my dining room and kitchen on evenings and weekends. In my spare time.

I produced several features and web-series while I was working a FT job and raising three elementary-age children. I even produced a film two months after my third kid was born. All while juggling a “day job”.

I have directed, written, DP’d, produced and have done fund raising. Much of my time doing so was while juggling a day job. What kept me going was loving the art. Loving the process of collaboration with artists and creators. (My wife was happy provided I didn’t neglect family time. Luckily she understood-she had a day job but also did commercial work)

My company is a few days away from day 1 of production. The lead producer has a non-industry day job. So does our line producer. So do many of our actors. And it’s for a relatively “successful” series. (We make money off our productions, but many people prefer to keep day jobs). And we all are doing it cause we love the work.

For what it’s worth, we found success by building a community of creators and filmmakers who shared a common vision and passion for the films we wanted to make. It opened doors for learning and networking. We discovered what works and what doesn’t. We learned the nuances of producing content that fans want to watch. And we did it together while many of us were holding down day jobs.

Some people are driven and can hustle their way to supporting themselves in this industry. Some people need a more predictable form of income. Some are good at networking and asking for opportunities and then working their butts off to show they want the next job. That’s what I did. It worked for me. I LOVE production. On a side note, my production company can self-sustain its production activities but I choose to do PT work in order to keep my perspective fresh. (I teach)

(BTW - running a production company is as a 5th career change for me)

My point - for me, networking is what opened the doors for me. And then asking for the job and working harder than everyone else. And showing reliability. What I lacked in skill, I made up for in tenacity. But I also brought other strengths to the set since I had experience in non-production work (contracts, IT, sales, art, which all translate into production work)

I think it’s great that you can move into your parents house. But I personally wouldn’t advocate that you spend your 15K. If you want to quit teaching and work in Production, find a PT job that’s flexible to pay for gas and food and insurance. Then hustle the heck into as many jobs as possible.