Introduce Yourself : Never give up! by Tony Ginn

As a Stage 32 veteran, I wanted share my story as an example of my Journey to realize my dreams and how networking is the most important message that RB has encouraged all of us to do and realize the importance of using Stage 32 as an educational resource, connectivity to colleagues Worldwide that could be the collaborative effort as a TEAM to ultimately achieve your goals! I have been fortunate to have a mentor, my Grandfather, Joe Jordan, World Renown, Ragtime Composer who never stole my dream. Fast forward to Estelle Harmon's Actors Workshop in LA sponsored by Bill Bixby where I received my training as an Actor and becoming a member of Sag-Aftra since 1978 by being cast in a Busch Beer commercial. This is where my networking began. I met Brad ( Fun House ) and Mace Neufeld ( Omen, Indiana Jones, Red October, etc. ), Kevin Reynolds ( Water World ), Gregory Crosby ( Hacksaw Ridge ) and my cousins are the Hudlin Brothers and Reginald Co-Produced the Oscars during the Boycott and all are Executive Producers that I am in contact with today, because I never have burnt any bridges. The first step was being represented by a Agent that believes in you. Second, realize you are going to have rejection after rejection, but, that one gig could launch your career! I have other credits, but, the most important is that as the Co-Founder of the American Scene Awards now a National Award in 1986 on behalf of the EEOC as Chairman in our Seattle Local to hire performers of color and disabilities that is still an underrepresented minority, so it is not about me alone. But, as we all know the progress has been slow and not without sacrifice, but, today is a testament to a mindset of never giving up as exemplified by last years Oscar Ceremony! So, get involved and stay humble, because it really should not be about only you. Helping others succeed is like being the Captain of your TEAM to make every else look better, if you want to WIN!. Now fast forward after a 30 year Corporate Executive career, my DAY JOB, and still pursuing my Art at the same time now age 68 as a writer since 2011 writing consistently, because, now that I am retired, I still consider my craft as an 8 hour work day and most often more. As a student who learns something new everyday, I study industry trends in this digital age, studio acquisitions, Actors moving from one agency to another who are now Executive Producers, Producers, Directors and Script Writers writing themselves in and I look at box office trends in the US and Foreign markets to determine where Productions have created a ROI for investors in Film and TV! So, for me as a Brown Actor and future accredited writer ( WGA ) ageism does not ever my mind as a deterrent for my ultimate success. Now to wrap things up I am nearing the Apex to have one of my scripts financed, because I never have burnt any bridges and have an Agent, Erin J. Morgart, that believes in me and Producers that are well aware of who I am and what my goals are in this business! " Artists Only Die and We leave Our Legacy Behind for Others to Follow in Our Footsteps ". Joe Jordan 1971 and the Legacy lives on! Thanks are RB for all you do for us with this the central message, NEVER GIVE UP and Toot your own Horn! Ciao!