Everyone who tries to become a cinematographer has a unique story how he or she got there. There is no formula for it. You have to have excellent networking skills, technical skills, and artistic ability to be competitive - something that few people even have one of. That said, you have to start somewhere, but there is no where to start unless you have experience. Once you have experience, it better be worth something, and then people will start paying you. No one is going to throw a bunch of money at you if they don't know what you can do or if they don't even know you. You have to pay your dues until you can earn a living doing what most people will do for free. Start as a loader or grip (if you don't know what that is, start as a PA), move your way up slowly, learning everything can, busting your ass, and making lasting contacts.
Making it is like this: 1/3 is what you can do, 1/3 is who you know, and 1/3 is luck; you have to have all three to do it! If you can't take the chance, then this isn't for you because there are hundreds of people ready to take your spot and do regardless of dough.
