For the past twenty years, I've been pursuing the career I always wanted since being a kid - working in the film or television industry. Over those twenty years, I've had some work within the industry working as an actor, voice-over artist, editor and camera operator. However, along side all that, I was also working in a full-time job. A job which I began in 1996, at the same time I was offered an extra's role in Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, which was soon going to be filming at Pinewood Studios. Christ! What do I choose? A full time secure job, or getting an opportunity to be part of a Luc Besson movie? Well, I opted for the secure full time job, something to this day, I totally regret accepting. Now don't get me wrong, over those seventeen years I have met some great people. But, I loved working on film sets more, and I enjoyed the buzz I felt every time I stepped on to a set. Then when the fun was over, it was time to go back to my normal dull job, sitting in an office, bored, stuffing crap in my face to pass the time away. All the time I was wishing I didn't take that gap year in 1994 and went on to University, to get my degree and pursuing the career of my dreams. How many of you can relate to similar circumstances?
Well, the events that took place over the next year was going to be a life changer. Not only had I suffered from a medical condition which gave me a disability, preventing me from being able to place one foot in front of the other without falling on my arse. But, the intimidation I quietly suffered over the years at work, stepped up a notch, and began to include bullying. This was the thanks I received from working in the public sector for seventeen years. Well, after being screwed over by my supervision with his lies, forcing me back to a workplace, which didn't even properly cater for my disability, despite my supervisor claiming they would. I made a life changing decision and applied to go back to full-time education and got a place at University to finally study for my degree in film and television production.
My notice was handed in along with a big cheesy grin as I was finally breaking free from that dead end job - yay!
On September 23rd 2013, I started the first day of the rest of my life. I was a student again, I was finally doing something I always wanted to do. But as quick as that, I am now finishing my first year. Over the past eight months, I have met some great people on my course. I have learnt new things and been brought up to date the skills I already had and next Wednesday, is my last day as a first year student and its been - educational.
So what's the moral of this story? Well, all I'm saying is, if you're one of those people who are in a dead end job and want to better yourself, improve your skills, do something you've dreamt of doing. Then go for it! Its never too late and you can be never too old to go to University. Life is too short for pondering on the 'what if' scenario. Go and live your dreams.
