Saturday, May 26, 2012

What's the secret?

I am often asked "what are some tricks", "what is the secret to getting noticed" - as if being in the business has some angle or magic formula that will allow you to get to the front of the line.

The secret is:  there isn't one.

How do you get into the room?  How are you noticed? How are you asked back?

The secret is:  you.

YOUR talent, YOUR ability, YOUR preparation, YOUR knowledge, YOUR ability to listen, YOUR ability to follow instructions, YOUR ability to take direction, YOU.

Is that simple?  yes, and no.

What I hear time and time again, is the inability or disregard for instructions.

How hard is it to follow instructions?  This speaks volumes about you and how you process basic information.  Over 50% of those trying to be in the business, simply do not follow instructions. 

Can you take direction?  Are you pliable?  If you actually get into the room and are given direction, can you take it and do something with it?  Defensiveness has no place in a direction-oriented space. 

Can you focus on YOUR process and quit side-eyeing "the competition"?  Can you quit comparing yourself to what you see and hear and wonder long enough to focus on what YOU have to do to be there?

These three simple questions can make the difference!  These three simple tasks - follow instruction, take direction, focus on YOUR process - will allow you the possibility to get into the room, to get to the front of the line, to be heard, seen and felt. 

As artists, all we want is to be heard, seen and felt.  We want our work to be relevant and acknowledged.  And, as an artist pursing the business of show, a job would be great!

So, take the secret of you,  do the work,  compare yourself only to your previous self/to your previous audition/to your previous discovery,  pay attention,  be as prepared as you can be and walk in to reveal what you DO.

There is nothing worse than getting an opportunity when you aren't prepared to take it.  Or worse, don't know you had it in the first place.

Which 50% are you in?  It's really a choice.  If you start with an excuse,  you aren't ready yet.  If you KNOW what to do, why aren't you doing it?

Move forward. 

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