Hasta La Motion!

So here is my situation. I want to write/direct scifi/fantasy adventure films one day. I am still very young (21) and I’m not sure how to best get to my final destination. I’m hoping some of the wise elders of reddit could help me out with some advice.

While I work on my writing (and hope to get one bought one day) I need a job to pay the bills and whatnot. I am in a situation right now where I have a job that pays decently but I hate what I’m doing there and would rather be working in films/tv to some extent. So I am looking for something new, I have the luxury of being able to apply for jobs (and train myself in the meantime) without being rushed.. so I’d like to stay away from jobs as a waiter, retail, etc. I would prefer to be where I am now, not enjoying what I do than in a retail place… if that makes sense.

I also plan on making my own shorts and whatnot while I write, but

I’d like a job that is in the film business and might be a backdoor way into the career I want. For the record, I love animation and visual effects as well, so those aren’t just options that I am throwing in there, I do have a passion for it.

Some of the jobs I have thought about are:

• Visual Effects Artist — Being in VFX I could do the effects for my own films, get to know some artists and work my way up in that field. I have noticed a trend in a lot of VFX Supervisors moving over to directing. Neil Blomkamp, Eric Brevig, Stefen Fangmeier and the Strause Brothers to name a few.
• Animator — Some of the best directors out there came up in animation before jumping into live action (Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, Robert Rodriguez) and being able to do an animated film by myself would be cool someday, and relatively cheap to do. Almost all directors of animated features came from an animation background.
• Editor — I’ve seen a lot of editors making the jump to directing, and it’s working with story as well. Plus, getting to network with producers and directors would be helpful as well.
• Development Assistant / General Assistant — I have to be honest, I don’t know much about this type of position. But I do know that it gets you reading scripts and doing coverage, which can never be bad… and meeting a lot of people.
• Writers Assistant — Working on a TV show in a writers room would definitely teach me a lot, and I heard that they often give their assistants a freelance assignment once a season when they have to.

I am also open to other ideas, I’m sure I have missed some good opportunities. I just need a fallback, you know? Just not sure what fallback to go with as I’m fairly new to this industry.

tl;dr: I am looking for a new job that I’d like to lend itself to a feature film writing/directing career down the road. What is the best job for me while I write my own scripts, direct my own shorts but need income to pay the bills. What job would you recommend I go after, given that I have the luxury of time and don’t need to rush into anything, and I have a passion for visual effects and animation?