What Can Become Of Me?

Submitted by Richard Yard

What becomes of a person when they have the hunger and passion for something that seems so genuine to them? What becomes of a person when his love for entertainment makes him strive for bigger and better things? What becomes of a person when his family and friends do not give him the support he needs and deserves? What becomes of a person when his age determines if he is taken seriously or not?

This is how life is presented to me in the entertainment field. I am a very talented individual but there are many obstacles in my way. I know these are obstacles that I must find a way around if I'm going to be successful. My love is for entertainment, and it doesn't start and end with directing, it includes acting, urban dance, writing, and cinematography.

I've loved the entertainment industry for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until middle school when I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. People laughed and didn't give me the support that I needed. The only people I could turn to help me were my close friends. They seemed into the idea of writing and making a horror movie, so much so that they took up the offer with no hesitation. Soon everything was moving forward and seemed to be going well. We even started on our first movie, Satan's Secretary. I put lots of time and hard work into the film, but right before my eyes my career with my friends disappeared. They seemed to lose interest as we progressed, just as I was gaining interest. I guess that was what blinded me.

Then came life after I got into Hightower High School. Hightower is a special school that specializes in media, digital graphics, engineering, and medical science. I had to apply by filling out papers and a survey. I was overjoyed when I got the news that I was accepted. Hightower's Media Academy gives us hands on experience with equipment that movie directors, television stations, film editors, and many others use. During my freshman year, we produced a high quality news program every other day. Now as a sophomore, we put together news packages where we have to film the story, edit it, create audio tracks, and much more. During the next two years, we'll shoot short films, talk shows, and other programs. We'll also team up with CNN to produce various news segments for future broadcast.

At high school, I've gotten together with two other students that are as dedicated to film as I am. We started our own production company where we made several short films and had plans for a feature. Currently, we are moving in a different direction, but I'm still trying to gain experience in the film and television industry. As an individual, I have decided to move on to bigger and better things with or without the support of my family and friends. I've started writing a sitcom and plan to film it once the script is complete. I'm also going to start writing my first feature film. I'm currently working on several music videos in order to expand my knowledge of cinematography.

As of right now, I plan to go solo with my writing and directing. I've been trying to get my foot in the door at several production companies so I can gain some more insight into everything that goes on in the world I love. I feel that no one but myself can hold me back. I love the entertainment world so much, that even though some people look down on me, I refuse to hide my talent from the world. So everyone better watch out, because I'm right behind you.