Anything Goes : So you want to work in this business? by Mark E. Sackett

This is true but the problem is still the same: how can you be known when you do not know anyone? As I am concerned, I arrived in Boston a few months ago and I try real hard. I do not have a lot of money (common thing) but I do my best to attend workshops and meet coaches. But what happens when I am out of money? I cannot travel to LA, I cannot reach agents or CD because nobody knows me so nobody trusts me... vicious circle all the way. So I guess luck is a big part of success. You have to be at the right place at the right time to meet the right person!

Like I wrote yesterday (I think), I tried to get an audition for this Wonder Woman project but against me are women like Sandra Bullock, Olivia Wilde, Jessica Biel... How am I suppose to do to get noticed? I am sure we have many qualities in common but what do they have more than me? They know people. How can we beat that?

Stop coming from need and want...give to others, use the internet to connect, get out and meet people and be patient, Sandra Bullock, Olivia Wilde, Jessica Biel have paid their dues...what have you done? Determine your path and stay on it...and LUCK does not exist. No such thing, you and only you create what you want.

Who said it is just a matter of need and want? Obviously a lot of people in Stage32 are here because they believe in helping each other to succeed, I am no different. I am here, using Internet, going to workshops to meet people, and I am patient and I know it is hard. But I disagree somehow with what you say about luck. You can force your destiny to a certain extend, at the end, the decision does not lay in your hand (I am not sure about the expression but you get what I mean hopefully).

LUCK IS WHAT "YOU" MAKE IT! It's never random.

Wow great read! Specially for a new comer to film, like myself... Thanks!

Agree 100%. @Jack - What Mark said. Offer help and participate on projects any way you can. One of my actors didn't have a single line in my first film, but he still did such a great job, I gave him a lead role on the next.

I disagree 89.73% Perhaps among your circle of influence "relation-shipping" is a dramatic tipper of the tea kettle. But the more important the work becomes and the more driven the 'Hirer' is towards perfection, the less important Like-ability becomes simply because talent, combined with tenacity, passion and the Will to reach for perfection will push friendships/fond-ships/relation-shipping right back into daytime television and Reality Shows where they belong. To do serious work with others that also have focus and determination is not the normal way of things; it happens occasionally. That is why those that do it (strive towards perfection) are placed into Halls of Fame or used as primary source examples of what it takes "To Be Great". Whether anyone 'Gets along' or not is never an issue; the drug of choice for those looking for perfection is intensity. I believe "Getting Along" is a placebo leading to habitual mediocrity that conveniently couples together all who will never aspire to greatness. It is said "The reasonable man is one who will adjust his life to fit society. The unreasonable man is one who adjusts society to fit his life. Therefore, no true progress ever comes from the reasonable man." I believe that quote is true. Thank You

Not one said anything about getting along...Passion drives everything, relationship is the glue but serious work is driven by collaborative and powerful relationships and at times, those like all relationships can be difficult. Perhaps relationship is not primary for you, but for many, if not most, absolutely! But I appreciate your 89.73% opinion anyway!

Thanks again Mark. I do understand exactly where you are coming from. I simply cannot follow, like Socrates, the majority opinion...and I do know it exists! But there certainly is no problem with your position nor mine; it's just the way we are wired. I appreciate you...and the majority also appreciates and identifies with you. I am among the minority, not by choice or by an 'iconoclast persona', but by every ounce of who I am. Thanks Again!

That's so true Mark, well said!

Re: Jack. Building relationships takes time. I met a guy 8 years ago who works at a studio. We just liked each others work. Connected a lot by email. Only now, 8 years later, am I writing something that he's producing. Relationships are everything. But you can't expect to be rewarded instantly -- because then, it's not about relationship!

For me, personal relationships are crucial. I know some people who are capable of great work, but they're difficult types, self-centered and problematic. Sure, they may act/write/whatever amazing stuff -- but they affect people around them negatively, so everyone else on the team suffers! A bit off point, perhaps. My point being; relationships are key. Showing yourself as reliable, positive, and of course -- talented!

I agree when you say it takes time. I disagree though with the fact that it works like that and not only in show-business. If you know the right person (A), you are likely to be chosen other someone who does not know the right people (B). This is quite unfair because, sometimes, A will not be as good as B, but he is a friend with a giant in the business so he enters by the front door. So many times already have we heard about someone having a private relationship with another person to succeed. Where is talent here? Talent in bed or hypocrisy but that is all.

So, in my opinion, working with your close relation is, one unfair, two not open-minded, three did I say unfair? I wish the industry open its eyes and see that friendship is not always the best choice. That is unfortunate that it works like that.

I said if people are equally qualified, the relationship will win....re-read the post.

That is quite an generally problematic 'Grouping' that you have tossed around. Generalities are approaching any type of 'ism' that is easily available. Dangerous...thanks

I read it. Many times. I just say what I think about the system.

I think there's space for both elements here. Friendship is not necessarily the main part but trust is fundamental. As upcoming technicians and creatives, one of the toughest things is to let go of the notion that no-one can do it better than you. This is when people's previous work comes to the fore - you decide on who you want to work with based on their previous examples/backgrounds and your ability to appreciate their work for what it may lend to your production. Once you've done a job or two with someone you get to figure out if you speak the same language. Long-standing relationships are based on that element of trust, earned through prior experience, and the compatibility. I could trust a cameraman to be on time and put his all into a production but if he isn't going to give me the shots I want, or add anything to my production then he won't get a second chance. Likewise if an actor turns up for a rehearsal well-prepared and fits what I'm looking for, then delivers and develops my idea further than it's core then I'm going to think of that person first for my next production. And, to lean on Tom Hanks talking in The Actor's Studio, when asked by a lad in the audience who admitted to not being heroic or leading-man looking, what he could do to get a part, Hanks replied, "You know, you're just waiting for the producer to say, 'Hey, I'm looking for that non-heroic guy to play my part.'" Some would say Luck, other's might say it's about knowing your niche and marketing yourself for it - I reckon both are valid but no luck came from not knowing what you're going to be good for.

People seems to be poo-pooing this. But they don't realize that it's like this in EVERY SINGLE INDUSTRY! Relationships.

true that, Levi, though some are worse for it than others. and some towns are worse for it than others.

Awesome Jewel

exactly.

@Levi. What did I say.

Mark and all, That's what I want- to get a GOOD CONNECTION, I always run into creative people since I do visual art, make films, play music, create soundtracks, and acting as well but I find you get over and over advice and a pat on the back, you run into folks who are essentially in the same boat to different degrees. If I pay for an acting class it has to count (I was in two classes that both melted down) Should I bother doing extra work/ Or how many unpaid student or independent films do you go and do before it counts for something? Some people are that types to crawl up from the bottom etc. Working tirelessly. But personally I have to enjoy something to do it well and thrive, it has to flow for me. Yes if you're going to work with someone they have to be somewhat credible but it also has to go both ways at what point do you connect with someone and give them a chance. I find there is sort of one-way system in society, based on accredation, unions, degrees, basically a person has to prove that they can go through the various hoops before they get fully accepted, no matter what they're innate talents may be, it makes sense in highly technical fields etc. But I've never gotten the whole obsession with it. I don't know if I'm making any sense, but please share you're feed back

I've found it helpful to just keep focus on what I want to achieve in my work, and slowly things seem to fall in place. Of course, there's moments when it feels like the wheels of progress are turning much to slowly but I try to learn from each experience...even when there's no pay. The last five months of a two year journey have been the best thanks to a fantastic acting coach. The down side is I have to drive three and a half hours to my acting class each week...but I just remember my favorite quote by Jonathan Winters, "If your ship doesnt come in, swim out to it." Yep, I'm one hell of a swimmer.

"We hire who we trust, who we know will show up," -- so true! The 2 incidents I've had: -day of shoot talent arrived on set with hangover and didn't remember lines -the videographer bailed out the day before the shoot! (I looked in my then little black book called up a Cinematographer who I knew when I was a PA -- he directed me to a NYC video production outfit that sends out videographers on short notice - saved me that day!) I've learned it's WHO YOU KNOW. Now I'll go through agencies, use GOOD word of mouth, or simply work with people I've worked with in the past!

Thank you for the amazing active insight!

This is true! In my own experience I've gotten gigs from people and then turned around gotten another simply because of that first impression that established the relationship.

I agree, When I first started working in my early 20's this is how I got my break and continued to land jobs. It took moving to a new country where I didn't know anyone to realise the full extent of how true this was.

Exactly. I've lost parts and got parts simply by having a friendship.

Absolutely true. You learn very quickly who works hard, who is dedicated, and who takes their role in your production seriously. You don't have to know everything, but being willing, and enthusiastic goes a long, long way. That saying "It's not what you know, it's who you know" applies perfectly to this business.

Thanks all for the comments....I will say again Relationship matters....and I'm not calling you if you are not right, not talented etc. And yes it takes years to make it! All of us go through it, hell some of us sometimes go through it a few times. And following the pack is not what I am talking about, but things work and are done certain ways, you don't have to like it, you might in fact hate it, but it is what it is. How you behave, your passions, your talent and when and how you put your own personal brand out there matters. So many sit here hoping for shit to fall into their laps, they say they network and that they put them self out there and rarely do they actually offer to help or offer any real value to anyone. There are 10,000 people as good as you, what are you doing to help others, to build relationships and to make yourself stand out? Are you branded, consistent, truthful, ethical and talented? Do you have your shit together? Do you market yourself? Do you have a friggin' smile on your face and did you actually clean up before showing up? 80 percent of you don't, yet you complain and moan over and over. I am speaking a the Student Film and Television Conference in LA that brings in 2400 more of you on March 9th. They are all entering the market too. They all are young, naive and passionate just like you. They also are hungry to start and to "make it" Uggggg...more competition right? No more collaboration, more opportunity to build relationships! It's a different perspective I know. But give to others and get in abundance. Sell and take, and sit at home alone! That's how it works. Agree or disagree, but I am telling you Relationships matter and you can buck the system, agree with it or disagree until you are in the old folks home still bitching about your career but if you don't get it soon that's going to come quicker than you think!

Mark, If I worked with you I'm sure I would give it my best, especially so if it was a great opportunity and something I was really excited about, what I'm talking about is that everyone in creative fields wants is a chance to be seen, heard etc. and to establish those relationships.There are so many people giving advice and selling seminars/classes etc.And pools of talent that don't know what approach to take to navigate the whole thing. How do you know when something will get you to the next step and when you're just spinning wheels? I agree with what your saying but I also think- and this goes with anything that people sometimes have to meet each other half-way.

Well said Gigi!

amen

My scripts are good, Mark. I hope you feel the same if you've read them. Yes, I would definitely be ready.

I wish you well

Well.. I'm putting myself out here to make those important connections and GET SOME WORK! ;) x

This is exactly how it works! Thanks for sharing the reality.

Always seeking a challenging role.... Please keep me in mind,,,

Thank you for sharing Mark

http://www.amazon.com/Actors-Spiritual-Armor-Walking-walking/dp/14961068...