This is exactly what I needed to hear.

Some great insight in here already. I would slow down and take it step by step. If you have a bad script, the cinematography and directing will only do so much. So I'd really hone in on making sure your script is excellent. After that - I'd move onto shooting some test footage to use for your crowd campaign. That way you can start to mess around with the actual feel of your film.

+1 Craig. Asking the station is probably your best bet. I've had stations use my clips (that were 23.976). They ended up converting them to 30 themselves. It didn't look the best, but most footage on local stations don't look to great anyways.

Start PA'ing on set. Go to film meet ups around you. Find filmmakers via vimeo or other sites. It helps to move to the place where work you want to be around is being done. LA, Atlanta, NYC. Your best bet is actually writing and creating films on your own!