I want to produce & act in my own films. Need advice

I'm kind of conflicted right now. I'm not sure anyone here can give me some advice on this but if I can get some answers, that would appreciated! Basically I'm in my late 20's and I'm conflicted on how I should pursue this if I choose this is the path that I want to go on. In my heart of hearts I really want to start a production company with someone, where we make our own films, short films, etc. Right now I don't even have know anyone to start it with. I was thinking of taking some acting classes and trying to possibly network with some people like that. Another challenge even if I find people to start this journey with is the promotional aspect.

Youtube is not what it used to be, getting views is umpteenth times harder than it used to be. I honestly have absolutely no idea how anyone gets views anymore, let alone hundreds of thousands? Are people pumping thousands of dollars for promotion or is there some secret formula that I'm missing? I've tried using good tags, thumbnails, and even paid promo (which most of them were fake by the way) and I eventually gave up because I wouldn't get any substantial growth. I really want to do it this way because I just find the whole game of trying to get an agent, than auditioning 5000 thousand times for one yes, on a gig you probably don't even wanna do just to get an opportunity not really worth it in my opinion, especially at my age I just don't see chasing the "holly wood" dream realistic anymore.

I feel like even if I fail i'd find it more fulfilling to create my own stuff but being your own content creator these days is a lot harder because every thing is over saturated as hell. I know this sounds more like a rant but I guess I'm wondering what is the best way to go about an actor who wants to produce and act in his own films but have it be seen. I guess film festivals is one way but I don't know any one who is passionate about this like I am or anyone who is interested in this kind of thing. I also feel like the window is slowly but surely closing because late 20's doesn't seem that old in general but when you're starting again from absolute scratch it kind of is considering the fact that anything you pursue is a slow build. I pissed away most of my youth dealing with mental illness, loneliness and a bunch of other stuff but that's a whole story I won't get into. This is a lot to unpack but I hope I can get some genuine feedback, not troll type answers or condescending vibes. I'm just genuinely trying to get another person's take on my situation

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Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

Nobody here knows anything about film. Get in contact with the guys over at red cow entertainment, they'll tell you if you can even pass the entry bar

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

@Jackaloftheazuresand Rude.

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Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

@MarkPaul oh shut up Baby Trump, you don't have a film degree so quit leading people astray with your speculations

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Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

@GhangisKhan I wasn't condescending to you at all(only other commenters)

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MarkPaul · 26-30, M

@GhangisKhan Well, fwiw, I for one am glad you did post it even if we have to put up with all these smart-ass comments. I think you have a good start already. We just need to figure out a way to get in front of the right people. Really, just one right person. There has to be a way.

GhangisKhan · 31-35, M

@MarkPaul Getting seen by the right people, yup that's all it takes brother but the problem is that's like literally the hardest part of it all hahaha

Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

@GhangisKhan I gave you a real tip off on a smaller scale production that can actually help you because they respond to regular people and you'd rather talk to pretenders who know nothing about the industry

GhangisKhan · 31-35, M

@Jackaloftheazuresand "Get in contact with the guys over at red cow entertainment, they'll tell you if you can even pass the entry bar" That is what you said. You do realize I'm trying to start a production team right? It's even formed yet. So how can I contact them and see if I meet a certain bar? I'm not trying to see if I meet some "bar". I'm trying to start a production team. So unless they can actually help me with that, I doubt contacting them now at this stage will do much. Look I'm just responding to anyone who is willing to give any advice. He didn't pretend like he knew the business. It's just normal dialogue. If they respond in a respectful manner, I'm going to hear them out. I checked their site out, not sure what I would even say in the email to make them respond in a way of them helping me get going. I doubt they wanna just help some random dude who emailed them. Sure, they probably respond to very generic basic questions but I would like to think they have better things to do with their time then giving a random guy a huge break down or play by play on how to start my own production company

Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

@GhangisKhan It is literally just a comment on a youtube video away, the fact you want to send an e-mail is that much more of a professional way to go about it that I'd almost guarantee they'll write you back. The bar is how to start that team, among many other things

GhangisKhan · 31-35, M

@Jackaloftheazuresand True but most likely they respond to business inquiries. I guess it doesn't hurt to try but other than looking at it from that end, I don't see how beneficial it's going to be, that's even assuming they actually respond in the first place. I'm not trying to be a negative ned, I'm just very realistic and don't put a lot of stock on the things I can't control especially other people. Hey but I'll give it a shot. It won't be the end of the world if I try and they don't respond or don't give me some life changing advice but if I thought this would actually help me I probably would've done it a long time ago

Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

@GhangisKhan They give out free advice on the topic often enough that if I cared enough to remember it I'd just relay myself. You can learn from them and you know what, if you don't you can come back here and throw it in my face all you want and I will just take it. How's that sound?

GhangisKhan · 31-35, M

@Jackaloftheazuresand You know what? Here's what I'll do. I won't throw it in your face. I'll do one better. I'll copy and paste this exact post, tell them that a viewer (you) sent me, and send it as an email.

Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

@GhangisKhan Very well I accept that

GhangisKhan · 31-35, M

@Jackaloftheazuresand Yeah man! No matter how I choose to pursue this, it's a difficult one. Whether I go the chasing the holly wood dream route, or trying to produce my own content. The acting business is one tough son of a gun, that much I do know. In the end, whether I make it or not, I just want to be able to say I was part of some cool shit. I see some of these epic short films and see the production team behind it and have always asked myself "how in the world did they start this beautiful journey?". The main problem is I don't know anybody to start this with and that much I already know without having emailed anyone. Perhaps I should join an acting class again and try to network that way, although most people join acting classes to learn acting not to start up a film production company