How can you determine the best career path in film storytelling?

In my early years, a peer producer from the Hollywood industry did a seminary for young or aspiring Producers in the LA area. She challenged her students to envision a film career in two main lines. The Studio so called corporate world or the Independent industry. Both paths are directly related to one another yet different in resolutions. They can switch places even. I have see Independent film producers founding Studios and Studio system producers go independent to gain freedom. If motivation remains both paths could become a reality in a producer's career and then you just needs to trust, take a step of faith, and work the film-story the best possible way. After all, the characters in a film determine a great indi or studio film...

Watching a lot of film and reading books frequently nurtured my taste and interest in storytelling. I didn’t only pick up a few principles of storytelling but it also formed my vision.

It goes without saying that indeed we all have core abilities that standout from others but I believe in never stopping to learn new skills and add onto that you already have.

Following up with an early comment, I see character driven storytelling a must learning skill for any aspiring film maker. The character's universe, the character's motivation, the character's conflict (inner, relational, social, etc.), the character's darkness, the character's redemptive experience, it is all crucial for develop and work, but more importantly, all great film productions have great characters that perhaps enlighten our human experience...

There was one thing that stuck with me, that one of my teachers said. She was talking about career paths and eluded to the fact that there is no right or wrong way to go about it. She brought an example and said many from the class may go down on the commercial, mainstream job route while many of us will pick the freelance, enterprenuer lifestyle. At times it will look like one or the other might have been the wrong choice and you are left behind. But, this industry has many twists and turn, and if you walk your own path, you’ll reach the top of your mountain. At times the peak may be lower or taller than the other’s, but ultimately it changes so rapidly it’s hard to keep up and also there’s no reason why to compare.

In a way, if called to write a Letter to a Young Film Maker, probably in the second to third chapter, I will reflect and or make an statement in gaining experience not only in a film production or a film set, but also, in all senses of reality. For example, I will challenge the young film to travel, to learn a different language, and to discover someone else's culture in order to feed and or nourish its voice. Importantly enough, these experiences expands the film make creativity because it gives the opportunity to encounter, explore and larn out of other realities other worlds that are not its own...

When you have everything figured out, I’d urge you to examine your motivation and think of your responsibility as a filmmaker. What are you telling to an audience, why and how? Ultimately the goal is that it influences people, has an impact, right? So make sure, to use it for good! Make sure to make your voice heard!