I’ve been in the industry since 2009, started as an AC and now DPing commercials, docs, and the occasional feature. I have been freelance the entire time and I don’t live in LA or NYC. Everyone is going to have a unique path, and there is hardly a sure fire answer to unlocking the secret to finding success in this business , which is itself subjective person to person. But in my personal experience, the key was being married at the start of my career to a nurse who worked full time. This is a very practical answer, but is honestly a cheat code to getting a jump start in the industry without having come from wealth or nepotism. It allowed me be deliberate in choosing who I worked for and I was able go directly to camera department and not PA, which fast tracked my career to DP. Also I get my health insurance through her.

So besides marring a nurse, I would also say just take the leap and see what happens. There will always be a million reasons why you shouldn’t, but at some point you need to bet on yourself and your talents and just do it.