Was my therapist wrong to tell me to do this?

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I wanted to get into the filmmaking business, and was going to make my own feature film to try to break in before. However, it does cost quite a bit of money and I am under a lot of pressure because of it.

I want to give another shot at making a feature film when covid gets better, perhaps next year, but I feel that it's going to turn out bad, especially when people you know are saying "you don't have what it takes to make a movie", "It will be a total waste of money", "You haven't made anything yet that turned out well". etc.

I went to a therapist to talk about it and he said if I don't do it, I am going to keep looking back and wondering what if, and keep regretting it, if I don't. So he says go for it.

But now people who have been trying to talk me out of it, are saying that therapist is irresponsible, that I have to take such a big risk with my money like this. What do you think? Should I see someone else?

Your therapist was not right or wrong to tell you that

However your therapist is not a job counselor.

Your therapist does not know about the film industry

Your therapist is not a financial advisor

Without knowing more about the situation, there is no way that anyone could give you correct career advise

Psychobabble types tend to value idealism over practicality

It works fine for them

Oh yes, the therapy was saying what I need to do psychologically for myself, and was not going by the business side of it, just the psychological side of things, I think.

I think your therapist views it from the perspective of your emotional life, not finances or management.
From this perspective, making your ideas real is the best choice.

BTW my psychiatrist keeps bugging me about the novel I told him I have an idea for

This. If you're financially stable enough that you can do this and not get in to financial trouble even if it's a complete failure then go for it, but if not, you need to consider your options really carefully. You can't just think of what feels like a good idea when making decisions that involve money, you have to think about the logical side of things as well.

Do you think you have the social skills to navigate the film industry? If not, you'll be throwing all of your money away for something that may not pan out, regardless of whether or not it's your passion.

Perhaps only spend a little money and make small, short films and learn the trade a bit first, rather than putting ALL of your money on the roulette wheel. If the films have a moderate success, you may recoup some money.

You asked for an opinion, and that's what I think.

Sometimes radical ideas work out well, e.g. Stanley Kubrick's or Alfred Hitchcock's. "Eccentricity" as well as a different way of thinking, CAN lead to success. Not always, but the potential is there.

Being on the spectrum can actually be a benefit in the entertainment industry, especially behind the scenes where the creative action takes place. But even some actors and actresses on the spectrum have become successful, such as Daryl Hannah and Anthony Hopkins.

I don't think your therapist is wrong, and is trying to encourage you to believe in yourself. Perhaps you have what it takes to "sell" your specific ideas to someone with clout, perhaps an agent or someone experienced in the back rooms of the movie world who can help make it a reality.

Did he actually say the words "Go for it", or is that only what you inferred he meant?

Yeah he said go for it.

And I've made a few short films so far, but I am told by others in the industry that you need to make a feature to stand out, if that's true.

f**k people telling you that. Your therapist is right. You should go along and do it. People make their own film all the time. Can you find a movie editor, sound person, etc. I have worked with some film as a background actor and these people do it for free because they don't have any money, most of it was for school projects. I even did a very small role for a feature film.

Don't let anyone tell you you cannot do it. My regret I have is when I wanted to do show choir in high school, my teacher told me I couldn't do it because you would need to sing a solo and lip sync to a song. Instead of telling her I wanted to still try and I will pick out a favorite song and lip sing to it, I let her talk me out of it thinking I wouldn't have made the try out anyway. I still should have done it even if I didn't make the show choir and it's the experience that counts. I could have also showed her my hard work too and maybe I would have proven her wrong. That is my only regret, don't make the same mistake I made.

I would make sure I have at least a years worth of savings.....especially in this COVID atmosphere.

Then what's the problem?It is true; but would you prefer to "stand out" for just one feature film or find steady work making shorts?

Oh I don't think there is much demand for shorts now, at least not as high of paying as demand as features, unless I am wrong? Or if there is, that's fine.

Beavis and Butthead started out as a short on another show then became a regular series later. Other shows have done the same.

Most movies have a person who has a Masters Degree in Business Administration hiring the director, sound, marketing, negotiating contracts, hiring actors, planning expenses vs. revenue. It is hard to learn budgeting for a project on your own. You need to get partners for a movie. Look for venture capital investors, pitch your movie to an investor.. but don't give them so much info that they steal your idea! If you can make a movie for Netflix or HBO - that would be the best. Try approaching them about it.

Some low-budget independent short movies did gain traction here... but it might me a lot about local culture.