Are You Looking for A Helping Hand Up and Not a Hand Out?
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.
Copyright 2005 Jaci Rae