this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2025
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I'm about to be unemployed (The company I work for has a very nice separation policy). The project I was working on had some complicated funding issues, and for the specific work I do, that problem seems to be widespread. I'm going to try to use this as an opportunity to try something completely different.
i'm thinking the same but i have no idea what i want to do.
I have 3 things on my list, an art website (Very difficult to do how I envision it given the current political climate). I've actually been working on it for over a year. 2. learn to fly. Don't know exactly where I want to end up, medical transport or similar I think would fit with me, I don't want to do charter or business flying, but its hard to build hours without it. 3. Recently had an idea for a youtube channel where I visit the little towns that Amtrak runs through.
I have one job I applied for that I had an interview for, still waiting to hear back, but honestly not that hopeful.
i love all of that
i would also love to learn to fly, but with european certs what they are i don't think i could spare the €10k for a license right now. maybe i'll settle for a motorcycle license.
if you can do it at little expense, i say do the youtube channel. even if you don't get many views, the important thing is you do something you can say "i did that" about. and i'd never underestimate the amount of foamers on the internet.
I think the lowest estimates I've seen are about $50k in the US for a commercial rating (minimum 250 hours), but you can't get any "real" jobs until you can get an ATP (minimum 1500 hours).
The youtube channel will probably require about $5k up front. There is so much to learn to get started, and so much planning and prep, and I sometimes have trouble with motivation, but I'm trying. I can do this and the pilot training at the same time.
Don't let anyone tell tou a YouTube Channel will cost $5000 to start. All the basic software tools can be had for free: DaVinci Resolve suite, OBS, etc. Hardware wise you can start with a decent phone camera and $100-$200 lapel mic like Lark and be completely fine, add in a $250 budget for lighting and you'll be ahead of the game.
Video is 40% ideas/concepts, 3% production, 7% editing, and 50% persistence. Seriously, the main thing is putting in the hours and not stopping. Your stuff will be crap when you start, but as long as you keep putting out content it will get better and you will grow your channel. 10 hr/week, you can do it.
I know of those tools, but travel, especially 3 or 4 trips adds up, so to start something where travel is involved, the costs add up quick. I have an amount I'm willing and able to invest in the effort, and I want to do it correctly the first time. The biggest barrier for me is simply fighting the anxiety and doing the it the first time.
As far as anxiety goes, video/cinema started as and still is primarily a team art/craft. Tap in to your local media production scene and get advice from those already in the trade. Apprenticeship is the classic model, but you don't have to commit to anything. Most people will gladly take an extra hand as a grip or production assistant or just chat over coffee about two they do what they do.
Trade in some social anxiety for anxiety about the work, it will do you good in the long run, because before you know it you'll need/want something you don't have, be it gear or some experience labor, and having someone to call about it is worth more than a hundred tutorials.
Travel is a tough first subject to launch on. If you're serious about giving it a shot I highly suggest you start by treating your local area as your first subject. Treat yourself like a tourist in your area ans script it as though it is your first time visiting.
Work on your format, putting together shot lists, decide how much you want to scripts ahead vs retroactively, whats your target video length and how are you going to handle shorts.
Luckily there are a lot of solid how-to video courses in YouTube and elsewhere, so first part of the job will be self education and applying what you are learning directly to your desired subject matter.
Definitely do not spend your budget on the travel and then just wing it if you're serious about making a channel, give yourself the flexibility of being able to go and reshoot things locally while you learn the tools.
yeah you can