Josh,

Getting someone else to pay is the whole trick of it all. From my experience this is a usual scene.

10 Work crummy jobs at ski resorts, bars and the like so you have time to shoot when it's on (good surf/fresh snow).

20 Work with anyone you can who'll surf/ride for ya. Buy them beer, dinner, bus ticket, lift ticket (unless you can scam one) Shoot as much as you can, when you can.

30 Into the NLE - edit together a three minute teaser with the best stuff you got with some fresh music you got from a friends friends dog's girlfriends mum's son (another story)

40 Take it to anyone who'll listen to you/watch the video and grovel like a booze hound for beer dregs.

50 Go on the road living like a crew of bagmen/ladies to make the $500 bucks you got last for when you need it

Goto 10

That was my life for 3 years. Any money I usually got went into shooting more or keeping us all eating. It's not what I'd call a lucrative video career, but as far as I'm concerned I made better than money. I made friends and experiences that money can't buy

A few extra bits and pieces for my camera would have been nice though, the ole XL1 is looking a little worse for wear.