Don't do it.
Having a media related career is not just based on interest in film/TV/journalism/etc. A major componant is social networking, lying and flattery. I'm telling you the truth here. If you can't lie to someone you think is an idiot and tell them they're the best person in the world, even greater than god, then you really need to think hard about getting involved in this industry. It's far less about creativity nowadays and more about appeasing studio execs/The Money. If you're female, you will get propositioned a la the casting couch, and probably if you're male too. Looks don't matter - it's very much about the abuse of power.
Practically speaking as well, the majority of media jobs now are very shaky, with virtually no solid foundation for work. People freelance, network and hope that by doing that they might get a few months work at their proper job before going back to being an office dogsbody. I know a cameraman (forcibly freelance) who has to buy his own cameras and equipment, gets hired in for a week or so to film and then has to return to teaching. Or an animator I know, who just quit her office job for the chance of a 4 month contract making an advert, but with the possibility that if they don't like her product, she won't get rehired or verbally recommended.
It is an incredibly shaky job, and the people who succeed are the ones who can suck up to the people who might help them (who are now so used to the sucking up that they expect it), and who are willing to shaft other people to get one step further (I have examples).
I'm not trying to deflate your dream here, since I had it too, but in the middle of my film degree I realised that first impressions, popularity and networking was the key, rather than talent. I had a breakdown after uni because the atmosphere was so self-serving and poisonous. And now I'm 37, with a degree in 'Media Production Specialising in Scriptwriting', which has absolutely no solidity in the real world. The real world requires marketable skills, and creativity isn't one of them (unless you have supernatural luck or family who work in the biz).
I wish I'd become a plumber at your age. They're said to make £30,000 easy, especially if they're female, since women living alone tend to feel safer with another woman. Even better would be a plumber/electrician/registered gas worker/carpenter, because you would never, ever be out of work. You could even fall into the media industry that way, since they require technically minded people who can help set up, far more than yet another batch of creative kids out of university who might take the few jobs that are out there. Except they won't because someone with experience is far more likely to be hired than a bright eyed newbie.
If you're determined to follow this route, then believe me, it will be hard. You will be out of work for a large part of the year, but if you're very, very lucky, you'll find work as a Runner or office assistant which might allow you to meet freelancers whom you can befriend. Attach yourself to someone in your area of interest and stick with them day and night. They might eventually trust you enough to apprentice you, or even use you as an assistant.
All going to college will do is give you a degree. An apprenticeship will give you marketable skills which are far more likely to be taken seriously, especially if the person you choose is recognised in their profession. See, the media industry wants people who can be hired and used now, not in a year when they've been trained to a decent standard.
Sorry, but that is genuinely how the media industry works. Are you hard enough?
_________________
Your Aspie score: 146 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 68 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie
10 Jul 2011, 11:35 am
. But think about what I've said, and see if you can find a new direction.
And yet we still thought we could make it 
.
