What's It Really Like To Be An Independent?

You need to prepare yourself for a life of uncertainty. Sometimes you have money, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes there’s work, sometimes there isn’t.

A friend of mine who is now retired from teaching used to say to me, “All of my students want to be you.” 

My reply was, “They wouldn’t if they actually knew what it takes to “be me.”

She meant that they all looked at what I do and think being an Independent is so glamorous. My point is it may look cool from a distance but it has been anything but.

Other people have said how cool it is that I live my own life, rarely work for others, and get to do what I want. They envy my independence and because of this they want to do it too. 

So let me set the record straight because most of you have no idea what my life of independence entails. I can't speak for anyone else, these are my truths. 

I have worked all of my life and I have no "security". 

Don’t feel sorry for me, I chose this life. There have been offers to teach full time or join companies but that wasn't for me. I love the variety and the idea that if a once in a lifetime gig comes up, I can take it. 

I knew what I was doing although I can honestly say this is not how I thought things were going to go. And trust me, others have it far worse than I do. 

At 67 years old I have no retirement or pension fund. I am fortunate I received a small inheritance when my parents passed away even though I had hoped they would have spent everything on enjoying their last years.

For years I lived in a 2-bedroom apartment thinking I would probably never own my own home. Thanks to that small inheritence I was able to purchase a fixer-upper with my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.  

I’ve owned my own business, hired others, and paid my payroll taxes. For 40+ years I paid my personal taxes and in to Social Security and Medicare. Now I receive a monthly Social Security check. It’s not a lot because I was self-employed all those years and I chose to collect early. It’s good to have and I need every dime of it. It’s my money. I paid in to the system. 

Even now if I don’t work every month I’m in trouble. 

The business has changed and as I’ve aged my phone rings less and less. 

When I was younger it was easier to find work and it paid better. Now there are so many schools offering filmmaking courses the market is flooded. Most of these recent graduates will be out of the business in a few years when they realize the unsteadiness of it all. I went to film school and a lot of my contemporaries didn’t last more than a few years either. It’s a tough business and an even tougher way of life. 

Right now I’m doing some of my best work as a writer, filmmaker, and sound designer, because I have what so many don’t. Life experience. 

I have a better grasp on what works and what doesn’t. I also have gray hair. Some people don’t want to work with me because “I’m old”. Perhaps the real reason is I know more than they do and I intimidate them. 

I know who I am and I don’t suffer fools. It's all about working with people I like on projects I’m excited about. 

For over 40 years I've loved what I do. I’ve worked with amazing people (and some schmucks) on great films, and have traveled more than I ever thought possible. With a valid passport in hand I can still pack a bag and be out the door in ten minutes. (Okay maybe 15 minutes...) 

I’ve watched sunrises and sunsets in beautiful locations. Slept in more hotels, motels, spare bedrooms, couches, floors, on tables, and in cars, than I care to think about. I've also been physically threatened and near bankruptcy more than once. It's all a part of my life. 

So before you think about how great it would be to live the life of a filmmaker, writer, or hell, any artist, and you don’t have a trust fund, or another source of income, think again. 

You need to prepare yourself for a life of uncertainty. Sometimes you have money, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes there’s work, sometimes there isn’t. 

Even when there’s no paying work I still put in 40-50 hours a week on my own stuff. You have to if you expect to improve your craft. 

This life isn’t for everyone. 

For me it’s been great and I have no regrets. And I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. 

Please check out a podcast I am honored to be the guest on for the next few months. I’m speaking with Chris Martin on his Beyond Your Imagination podcast. Chris is an amazing guy and I look forward to our conversations as he really makes me think, and to dig deep for the appropriate answers. Here’s a link to our first conversation - https://byi.show/cosmic-accidents-and-other-inciting-incidents-with-kelley-baker/

Please check out Chris Martin’s other work and follow him on Substack @gettingworktowork 

Thanks for reading and please, Support Independent Artists!

Head over to my website www.angryfilmmaker.com

Follow me on Substack - https://substack.com/@kelleybakerangryfilmmaker

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