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If you are looking for a helping hand
in the entertainment industry, then you'd do best to look at your own
two. I know that sounds harsh, but if you've ever worked or tried to
work in the entertainment industry you'll know exactly what I mean.
The myth of "being discovered" as you are walking down the street,
sitting on an
airplane singing, or even as you are performing in a small nightclub
or Town Hall in some small town USA is simply that, a myth, another
urban legend. (And trust me, if you hear someone tell you they were
discovered
that way, it's probably a marketing ploy they are trying to sell you
on or they invited the "discoverer" to the venue or to walk down the
street with them!)
Put it this way, you have a better
chance at winning a multi-state lottery with a $1.00 ticket, and then
you'll have of being discovered this way in the entertainment
industry. The meaning of the word "myth" is: "false popular belief,"
and from the letters and emails I receive there are a lot of false
popular beliefs going around.
The odds of "making it" big in the Christina Aguilera, Steven
Spielberg, Claire Danes kind of way is far too great and would make it
seem impossible. So why try? Well some people do make it or there
wouldn't be any Christina Aguilera's or Steven Spielberg's out there.
But let's face it, the odds are still huge. There are literally
millions of aspiring artists, actors, singers, musicians, producers,
film directors, etc. to every one that are actually employed in their
craft Statistics approximate this figure in the range of only 2% of
any of
these individuals trying to get hired in these fields are actually
able to pay their rent strictly from their art. That's pretty
staggering. While the odds are staggering, it doesn't mean you can't
"make it." However, I wouldn't count on a lot of help from others in
the industry. The hands that may reach out to help you may also be the
ones that are reaching for the same job or position as you, and may
end up pushing you down. Accept help from others, but keep a watchful
eye out. Always remember that the helping hands that you really need
are your own two hands. You have a hand to help yourself, and a hand
to help others. Remember the adage, "Those you pass by on your way up
the ladder are the same ones you see on your way down."
You have to work hard, reach for every opportunity, be reliable and
steadfast, and be in the right place in the right time. You need to
watch the want ads, read the entertainment papers and find out who's
who in the business. You really must socialize and above all, don't
pretend to be someone or something you aren't. The business is already
filled with too many individuals who are not themselves and they can
see through an act like that in an instant. Frankly people in the
industry are pretty tired of it. You'll get more attention by being
genuine. Be fresh and sincere. After all, it's you that you're selling
not an imitation of something or someone. You are all you have. If you
don't let them see the real you, first and foremost, or if you don't
believe in yourself and your own talents, then you shouldn't be in the
game in the first place.
Can't get an immediate job of your dreams in the entertainment
industry? I suggest if you really want to be a successful actor or
musician, think about taking another job in the industry to get into
that venue. Get a job as a script person, a telephone operator (they
know everything that goes on, so it really is a great position), or a
gofer (hey, you'll be "going for this" and "going for that", so you'll
have a chance to network and meet people!).
If you want to be a musician, try to get hired as a roadie or someone
who works on tour so you can get an in. The people who are at the top,
didn't start at the top, so why should you? Be the person who is
willing to do the "dirty" work. Become appreciated and part of the
regular crowd. You never know when you'll be asked to sit in on a set
and there you go!
To be quite honest with you, the
people that make the most money, but also take the most risk in this
business are the directors, producers, record companies, and studios.
Of course, they also have the most power over your career. So when I
say that the only helping hand you should be looking for is yourself,
keep that in mind. Part of what I'm advocating is that you learn how
to manage your money and be sure to broaden your horizons. How many
actors turn to directing too? If you are in one of those positions,
you will be the one who has the most power over your career, not
someone else. That's another reason why business courses and knowledge
of accounting are so important.
Take business courses specific to the entertainment industry. Learn to
produce. There will always be someone over you who can make or break
you in the industry. And, at the same time, take you from financial
fortunes to bankruptcy in the blink of an eye, and smile at you as
they are doing it. So, do you really want to be an actor or musician
who is broke? I don't. You'll need to manage your money wisely and
learn to diverse.
I do music and acting first and foremost because I really love it. It
is who I am, what I breathe, how I think. But I also want to make
money so that eventually I can devote full attention to my music and
acting in order to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head.
So again, while I've learned to look no further than my own two hands,
you need to know that ultimately, for all everyone else's good wishes
and support may provide, you can't count on anyone else but yourself.
Just remember, it's within your own power to genuinely outstretch one
of those hands to another. |