David Discenza: Actor, voice artist and singer in Toms River, New Jersey.

Thank you for accepting the connection David! :) Have a glorious day! :)

Like it or not, David, you're a business man. You're a small-business owner. You have to develop a business mentality, because you will encounter these and other dilemmas continuously throughout your career. First, stop trivializing the worth of your "product". The fact that you feel bad saying "no" implies that - in some way - you're product isn't REALLY worth more money. Instead, embrace the fact that your product has value, and make that value known to the buyers confidently. Short anecdote: a local improv theater has been trying to establish a name for themselves, so they started by offering FREE shows. Audiences ranged from 10-20. Their first show charging $5 brought in 40 or so people. When you establish that your product has value, people will take notice. Heck, how does Apple charge so much more than everyone else? And why do I keep buying their products!?!? You will encounter people who will try to tear you down for not being willing to work for free or more cheaply, but they are the amateurs. You are the professional.

So.......I agree with e wry thing said, I guess the best thing is just to,keep it simple and say, " I'm sorry, I am unable to accept your offer due to financial concerns."? Again, not a problem saying no, just don't want to slam any doors.

Dave, as with so many things in life you are talking about things in the future that you have no ultimate control over. It sounds like you are being pretty heavy on the anxiety but it still isn't helping, is it? Can I suggest that you assume that life is not out to get you but to help you fulfil your deepest dreams? If the camera is your friend and not your enemy (as Marshal Hilton is saying in the column opposite this one) then life is also your friend, not your enemy. If you are able to see it that way (as I do, actually, as a screenwriter yet to have my first script produced) I suggest you do all that you can in a given situation but if you find yourself in conflict ("but if I say no I might miss out on the greatest opportunity...") presume that by doing what you need to do (and say no, sometimes) will not destroy your future prospects. This is a pretty philosophical answer, admittedly, but you seem to have taken up your own pretty philosophical approach? Namely, I am going to find myself eaten up by anxiety again and again because I want ABC but also want FGH at the same time? I have spent nearly 4 years on my current script (with professional help for which I have paid about $10 000 AUD). By the end of 2015 I am planning (with my mentor) to have my script ready for a company to look at. Any guarantee that it or any other company will be interested? None whatever. As every scriptwriter knows. Am I full of anxiety that I might get nowhere with my script? To be honest, no, I'm not. I'm doing everything I can in my power (including the pro input) to do the job and then I'm prepared to wait and see. Nothing else to do at the moment. Just calm down a little, have a little more faith in your talent and your dreams and just keep doing what you are able to without anxiety. I really can't think of any other way forward that doesn't give you sleepless nights. Cheers, Mike Yates