So, What Do You Want to Do?

Joey Daoud

Joey Daoud is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. His past films have appeared on Netflix, The New York Times, and National Geographic. He is also a YouTube creator across multiple channels with videos garnering millions of views. In his free time, he likes to climb mountains, scuba dive, and brew unique coffees.

So, What Do You Want to Do? 1

“So, what are you going to do after you graduate?” is a question I’ve been hearing a lot more frequently. Sometimes it’s followed by, “New York or LA”?

While the upcoming thesis cycle and finishing school seem to be the only things I have to worry about, I do realize that in 8 months I’ll be out in the real-world.

What do I want to do? Everything. I should restate that, and say I enjoy everything (just about). But only in Film School can you change positions weekly and with such ease.

I started out wanting to direct – as did most of my classmates. I still do, but I also wouldn’t mind producing. And I’m undecided if I want to stick with fiction or go documentary. Hopefully I can dabble in both.

So for now my answer has been, “Direct and Produce. Either fiction or documentaries.” I can feel them rolling their eyes in their head. Everyone wants to direct.

I’m non-discriminatory with TV or theatrical. I just want my work to be seen.

New York or LA? I’d be fine in either, but I’ll probably venture out west. I also wouldn’t rule something out with the BBC in London. It all depends on where I can get a job.

Right, job. The majority of the class above me got internships in various production or post-production companies. A few are paying; most are not. I wouldn’t turn my nose at an internship, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

I think I would rather be a director or producer’s assistant during production. You’d be at the heart of the action, meeting important people, and learning a lot. In exchange, I wouldn’t mind the coffee runs or possible odd requests.

But as for my ‘what do you want to do’ response, I need to come up with something a little more polished for Friday.

“Conquer the world.” (?)

(And yes, I would like my own Academy Award)

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