ACTORS

Here's a joke for you...

How many actors does it take to put a lightbulb in?

Well. First you have to ask...

Is it a union or non-union lightbulb?

Get a bunch of actors together and the conversation usually consists of talk about past jobs, future jobs, other actors and some sort of potpourri category. 

If that category is food, then the conversation will generally start leaning towards talk about food on the crafts service table, the craft service table on past jobs, what everybody hopes to find on the craft service table on future jobs, actors and the craft service table. Maybe, sometimes if the stars align, just maybe the conversation will be about the best steak we've ever eaten in our life that wasn't found on the craft service table, but we sure wish it had been. 

We are an insecure lot. 

Actors, that is, and not steak eaters. 

We talk about ourselves and the projects we've worked on and hope to be part of in the future. We talk about other actors and sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad. Which is why I always stress that reputation is key. 

Acting, therefore, is no different than any other profession. 

If you're unprofessional, unreliable and undesirable, then you will eventually be found out. As superficial as the acting biz is, it really isn't all about looks. 

Well, okay, it is.  Strike that. 

Sad to say, if you don't have the look and are unprofessional, unreliable and therefore undesirable, you will last a lot less than someone who does have the look.

Ahhhh....the look.

No words have ever struck more fear in actors. 

Except for, maybe, 'non-paid but we'll feed you.'

I don't know how it is in L.A. or NY because I've never worked in either place. 

Here in Virginia, though, smack dab in the middle of The Mid-Atlantic Region as it were, everybody pretty knows everybody. Knows meaning has worked with on a more than frequent basis. The actors all know each other. I see the same people on many projects. 

The agents all know each other. More importantly, the agents all talk to one another. Again, reputation in a town like this will either make you or break you. 

This familiarity breeds conversation, for good or bad. 

As in any community, there are the evils of gossip and rumor. 

In this business, succumbing to the siren's song of gossip can kill your career. 

Listen to the idle chatter in holding as the actors discuss people or things or information that may or may not be true, but don't nurture it and for God's sake don't circulate it. 

You never know who knows who. You never know what is true until you see it in print and even then, don't believe it until you get a confirmation email. 

Always carry a teaspoon with you for that grain of salt. 

Social media is a dangerous thing, something not to be trifled with, especially in a business in which good communication is so important. 

It takes only seconds for a comment to be commented on and then reposted and before you know-all Hell's broken loose! 

I see it every day. 

The valuable lesson here is one that applies to entirety of The Internet. 

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON THE INTERNET-IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TRUE.

Say it with me a few times because you could wind up paying dearly for rash decisions made after reading unsubstantiated information.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON THE INTERNET-IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TRUE.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON THE INTERNET-IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TRUE.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON THE INTERNET-IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TRUE.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON THE INTERNET-IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TRUE.

As a wise woman once said, 'DO YOUR HOMEWORK.'

Meaning, save yourself the professional injury and spend just a few more minutes researching something you read on-line. Other than protecting your reputation (there's that word again) in simpler terms you won'y end up with egg on your face. 

Most of all business these days is conducted electronically. A good portion of it is conducted on social media sites like Facebook. The first, and simplest really, thing you need to do to protect yourself is to make sure the person posting the information is who and what they claim to be. It'll probably take you a little time but isn't it worth it?

Living in The Mid-Atlantic Region as I do, I see the same few names come up when it comes to job postings. There are just a handful. When a new name springs up in an email or on my newsfeed on Facebook, I do a little research. 

There have been some questionable postings over the summer by people whose reputations (uh huh) have been called into question? 

The good thing about Richmond is there are professionals here who look out for the talent here, which, may not be the norm in the rest of the world, but we do kinda look out for each other here in Virginia. Chalk it up to good ol' Southern hospitality, I guess. 

Do your homework. Save yourself the head ache. Save yourself the embarrassment. 

Be professional.
Be better. Do better. Challenge yourself. Reach for the next level.
Be still. Focus. Listen. Learn.

And always keep it real. Always.

Just keeping it reel myself. 

Copyright 2015

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