Why Artists Call It Quits
by Jose Ordoñez Jr.
I taught filmmaking at the high school level for two years. It was one of the most influential times of my life. I grew personally and artistically more than I had in my previous years (yes, that includes college). I thoroughly enjoyed watching classics like Vertigo and Bicycle Thieves as part of my job. The best part had to be hearing students protest at the dinosaur scene in The Tree of Life. Watching students who had legitimate talent, young artists who were better at the craft than I was at their age, reignited a passion in me for the art. Don’t get me wrong, there were times where teaching was straight-up amusing. I have cringed and laughed at some of the worst scripts I have ever read; mostly from students who didn’t care in the first place. Yet there were times where I was legitimately surprised at the work in front of me. How long had these kids been writing? It couldn’t just be rookie gains.
LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION
My film students, my wife, another teacher and myself, spent a weekend at the Florida Film Festival in Orlando, Florida. Nothing ignites your passion like a trip like this.
I quit teaching in May. Although there were many reasons for this decision, I must admit it was disheartening to witness students who were stupidly talented give up their dreams to pursue a “more serious career”. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with students pursuing whatever path they see fit and I would certainly not want them to pursue a hobby for a career; however, my suspicion is that a couple of these kids, if given the circumstances, would pursue filmmaking for the rest of their lives. Why is this? Why are otherwise capable artists dipping out of the business? In short, because the culture does not see artist wages as success.
Americans want stuff. We LOVE stuff. My old roommate’s mom complained that her husband didn’t make enough money. He was making a six-figure salary. SIX FIGURES. I don’t think I’ve made that combining all collected wages since graduating college. One of my old students had mentioned wanting to pursue a specific career just because she would be able to make six figures. Six figures, six figures, six figures. Just to be clear; you want to be enslaved into a career you hate to snag six figures because that will make you happy, right? I’m not old enough to speak from experience, but that sounds superficial, or at least intellectually lazy. In a world where the top 1% earners make $34,000 a year, you want to become the top 0.5% and ONLY THEN you will be happy. Are you saying the cost of living happily is spending your whole life doing something you hate?
A concerned ex-coworker approached me after I announced I was quitting my job and asked me how I was going to pay the bills. I’m currently making more money as a freelancer with half the effort and time that it took me to teach. I mean, I was quitting teaching, not a law firm.
“IN A CULTURE WHERE VAST AMOUNTS OF MONEY AND A CORPORATE JOB EQUAL SUCCESS, ARTISTRY MUST BE HIGHLY DISCOURAGED.”
There’s a huge societal stigma against artistry as a means for financial stability. My ex-coworker believed it. Society believes it. Sometimes I believe it. See, in a culture where vast amounts of money and a corporate job equal success, artistry must be highly discouraged. But what if the culture is wrong? What if we’re mistaking success for something else.
What is success? Whatever your definition, it must be something worth pursuing. I want to challenge our culture and propose that how you make your living is significantly more important than how much wealth you’re accumulating. So answer that question: What is your definition of success? How will you pursue it? On my part, I want to be able to make a living doing what I love.
“WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY?”
Don’t get me wrong, I am not a proponent of the live fast and die young lifestyle. If you know me personally, you know just how conservative I am. I take calculated risks. I am by no means suggesting you mortgage your house to pay for your next feature. I wouldn’t suggest taking out a loan or even a credit card to pay for your artistry or to sustain yourself. I am, however, proposing that you can make a decent living, even better than the average American, by pursuing a sustainable lifestyle as an artist. Even if you’re not living extravagantly, you probably have a better quality of life than if you were enslaving yourself to earn wages while taking a job you hate. And why would you give up your quality of life in exchange for money?
Whatever your passion is, have at it, AND make money. Live wisely. Succeed.
My wife Sunday and I founded Wish Creative to lead by example; to show artists and the culture that it CAN be done. Consider this blog our a platform to encourage you, the artist, whatever stage you may be in. If you enjoyed this blog post and want to hear about how we’re doing and receive practical tips on sustainability, lifestyle and process subscribe to our mailing list down below and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.