# Choose Your Next Step

Part of the Moviemaking Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/moviemaking/guide/index.md)

*4. Future Paths*

> **4.** Do ONE of the following:

You must choose exactly one option from this requirement. Both options ask you to look beyond the badge and think about where moviemaking skills could take you next.

## Your Options

- **[Req 4a — Research a Film Career](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/moviemaking/guide/req4a/)**: Investigate a real job in film or television and learn what training, duties, cost, and advancement look like. This option helps you explore moviemaking as a profession.
- **[Req 4b — Build a Film Hobby](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/moviemaking/guide/req4b/)**: Research how moviemaking could become a long-term hobby or healthy creative outlet. This option helps you think about realistic goals, expenses, and communities that support the activity.

## How to Choose

**Career path or hobby path?** — Both are useful — they just answer different questions

- [ ] **Choose Req 4a** if you want to know what adults actually do in the industry and what preparation those jobs require.
- [ ] **Choose Req 4b** if you want a practical way to keep making videos now, even if you are not sure about a future career.
- [ ] **What you will gain**: Req 4a gives professional context and research skills. Req 4b gives a realistic action plan for continued personal growth.

> **Tip**
>
> You do not need to know your whole future to complete this requirement well. You only need to ask honest questions and gather useful information.

[Careers in Film: Which Film Careers Pay the Most?](https://www.careersinfilm.com): A career-oriented resource that can help you compare different jobs in film and think about long-term options.

Whether you choose the career path or the hobby path, this requirement is about turning curiosity into a plan.

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- Previous: [Understand the Zoom Lens](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/moviemaking/guide/req3b/index.md)
- Next: [Research a Film Career](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/moviemaking/guide/req4a/index.md)