“Wow, you are lucky to be working on such great projects” is the type of statement that sounds like nails on a chalkboard to some editors.
I am not one of those editors, but I understand not wanting to have the years of hard work, long days (and nights) and weekends spent grinding away in a cutting room attributed to being lucky. The sacrifices made are not for the faint of heart and for this field I think the term ‘lifestyle’ is more applicable than just ‘job’. I’m well aware of the time and effort I’ve put into my career, and I’m also well aware that some of my biggest breaks have come from a friend of a friend or being in the right place at the right time. Luck is a big player in the game though I prefer the term ‘chance’ because luck comes with baggage (good luck, bad luck, dumb luck, no luck…) while chance, on the other hand, is just chance.
I don’t believe you can literally make your own luck, but I do believe that you can increase your chances of success. For example, continuously honing your craft (both from a creative perspective and a technical perspective), meeting new people (plus keeping in touch with those you’ve already met), and always keeping an eye on job postings (even when you are already working) are all ways to increase your chances for success. To me it’s akin to earning lottery tickets or cards at the bingo hall. The more you have, the greater the chances of your number being called. Once you get your number called though, you still have to have the confidence to say yes and the skills to succeed.