The nature of the entertainment industry is for everyone to rush to the next project they hear about and to jump on, full throttle, doing whatever it takes to secure a role or a job. This is always how it has been and is most likely never going to change. People, by nature, especially in this industry, are always seeking the next opportunity to take it up a level and many of them, at no fault of their own, will do all they can to move forward seldom stopping to look at the carnage they have left on their journey.
A month ago I was knee deep in five projects. I felt invincible. I thought I had the best team. Everyone was super reliable and we were all excited about moving forward together to the next level. Then, as always is the case, a few egos got blown up and it became a game of "who is smarter, better, more qualified, more experienced, the best, etc..?"
Once that happens -- projects start to fall apart quickly. In this industry appeasing the egos of others or listening to everyone's feedback is dangerous. A leader must have clear goals, create his agenda and to do list and quickly and methodically move forward, not allowing much wiggle room. If someone isn't following through - they should be cut. If someone is negative - they should be fired. If someone is a gossip - they should be shut down. It's sad that an industry has to be this way most of the time but in the entertainment industry nothing is a democracy. It's all about achieving personal goals and agendas. There certainly are some kind people who want to work and get ahead. There are individuals who show up, do their jobs, don't ask questions and observe so they can learn more each day.
I have learned from my many mistakes and setbacks. I continue to rebuild, regroup and reevaluate my circle and team from the past and those people that I currently know - always keeping an eye open for new talented souls to enter the arena. I know that I'll be back, stronger than I was this last round, very soon. I have a lot of goals to achieve and I don't plan on just letting them slip away.
Oh, the most odd development when projects start to stall and/or fall apart/get delayed is the almost instant silence. The phone stops ringing. The texts stop coming through. The email box doesn't need to be refreshed as often and the friend requests/twitter follows stop. This is even the case with the "friends" I make in the industry. I don't take it personally anymore. I used to. Now, I know they have to chase the next project and do what must be done. Me? Well I catch up on my sleep, clean out my inbox, delete the negative and the naysayers and wait.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
30 things I want to do, have and accomplish
30 things I want to do:
1. Have my own place
2. Buy a house
3. Act in a prime time series
4. Act in a soap opera
5. Continue to bring "Proper Manors," the soap opera I created, to life.
6. Be interviewed on a national talk show
7. Start a scholarship foundation for at risk youth from broken families in memory of my nephew, Shawn Pippin.
8. Create a foundation that allows students/young adults to travel in memory of my father, Allan F. D'Alessio
9. Donate 100K to my theatre group in Plant City, FL
10. Create an arts foundations/scholarship in memory of Beverley Harrison.
11. Fly in a private jet.
12. Produce a feature film
13. Write a book
14. Go to Amsterdam with Jef
15. Hike the Appalachian Trail
16. Run for Office
17. Be debt free and have repaid all the debts/loans I have incurred in my life.
18. Maintain a healthy weight of no more than 175 lbs.
19. Race cars
20. Rent a beach house in New England for a summer for all my friends.
21. Rent a large cabin in New England for the fall for all my friends.
22. Direct a Film
23. Direct a TV show
24. Go on a European journey with Jennifer.
25. Go on an Italian journey with Gina.
26. Explore Germany and Eastern Europe with Kevin.
27. Run a marathon
28. Work at a resort or vacation destination for a season.
29. Host or present on a major awards show
30. Move back to Utah
30 things I want to have:
1. A new car
2. A 30" waist
3. An Armani suit
4. Expensive dress shoes
5. A large whirlpool tub
6. An RV
7. Excellent health - mental and physical
8. An apartment in Chicago
9. A small villa in Greece
10. A small villa in Sorrento
11. A condo in Utah
12. A well equipped kitchen
13. A perfect smile.
14. Lasik surgery for better vision
15. A full time accountant/financial advisor
16. Restored credit
17. A simple yet elegant all purpose wardrobe that can fit into one suitcase.
18. Great camping gear so I can pull over and sleep/live anywhere while on road trips.
19. A well stocked bar in my home.
20. New headshots
21. Inheritances set up for the people I love most.
22. A small cabin in the country
23. Great sunglasses
24. The ability to take excellent care of my dog, Oscar, or any other pets I may have.
25. A European passport
26. Super comfortable hiking boots
27. A massage therapist on speed dial
28. A full time personal assistant
29. A Vespa
30. A mountain bike.
30 things I want to do before I die:
1. An around the world cruise
2. Visit Cuba
3. Live in the Greek Islands
4. Skydive
5. Attend the Cannes Film Festival
6. Go to Australia
7. See South Africa
8. Great Wall of China
9. Hawaii
10. Alaska
11. Win an Oscar
12. Win an Emmy
13. Go to South America
14. Portugal
15. The Islands of the Mediterranean
16. Thailand
17. Japan
18. Be completely pampered at an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean.
19. Visit the Pacific Northwest
20. Go to Yellowstone National Park
21. Drive from Alaska to South America
22. Take the Trans-Siberian Railway
23. An African Safari
24. A Trans-Atlantic Cruise
25. Attend the Academy Awards
26. Attend the Golden Globes
27. Attend the Emmy Awards
28. Attend the Tony Awards
29. Get my Italian Citizenship
30. Retire someplace in Europe
1. Have my own place
2. Buy a house
3. Act in a prime time series
4. Act in a soap opera
5. Continue to bring "Proper Manors," the soap opera I created, to life.
6. Be interviewed on a national talk show
7. Start a scholarship foundation for at risk youth from broken families in memory of my nephew, Shawn Pippin.
8. Create a foundation that allows students/young adults to travel in memory of my father, Allan F. D'Alessio
9. Donate 100K to my theatre group in Plant City, FL
10. Create an arts foundations/scholarship in memory of Beverley Harrison.
11. Fly in a private jet.
12. Produce a feature film
13. Write a book
14. Go to Amsterdam with Jef
15. Hike the Appalachian Trail
16. Run for Office
17. Be debt free and have repaid all the debts/loans I have incurred in my life.
18. Maintain a healthy weight of no more than 175 lbs.
19. Race cars
20. Rent a beach house in New England for a summer for all my friends.
21. Rent a large cabin in New England for the fall for all my friends.
22. Direct a Film
23. Direct a TV show
24. Go on a European journey with Jennifer.
25. Go on an Italian journey with Gina.
26. Explore Germany and Eastern Europe with Kevin.
27. Run a marathon
28. Work at a resort or vacation destination for a season.
29. Host or present on a major awards show
30. Move back to Utah
30 things I want to have:
1. A new car
2. A 30" waist
3. An Armani suit
4. Expensive dress shoes
5. A large whirlpool tub
6. An RV
7. Excellent health - mental and physical
8. An apartment in Chicago
9. A small villa in Greece
10. A small villa in Sorrento
11. A condo in Utah
12. A well equipped kitchen
13. A perfect smile.
14. Lasik surgery for better vision
15. A full time accountant/financial advisor
16. Restored credit
17. A simple yet elegant all purpose wardrobe that can fit into one suitcase.
18. Great camping gear so I can pull over and sleep/live anywhere while on road trips.
19. A well stocked bar in my home.
20. New headshots
21. Inheritances set up for the people I love most.
22. A small cabin in the country
23. Great sunglasses
24. The ability to take excellent care of my dog, Oscar, or any other pets I may have.
25. A European passport
26. Super comfortable hiking boots
27. A massage therapist on speed dial
28. A full time personal assistant
29. A Vespa
30. A mountain bike.
30 things I want to do before I die:
1. An around the world cruise
2. Visit Cuba
3. Live in the Greek Islands
4. Skydive
5. Attend the Cannes Film Festival
6. Go to Australia
7. See South Africa
8. Great Wall of China
9. Hawaii
10. Alaska
11. Win an Oscar
12. Win an Emmy
13. Go to South America
14. Portugal
15. The Islands of the Mediterranean
16. Thailand
17. Japan
18. Be completely pampered at an all inclusive resort in the Caribbean.
19. Visit the Pacific Northwest
20. Go to Yellowstone National Park
21. Drive from Alaska to South America
22. Take the Trans-Siberian Railway
23. An African Safari
24. A Trans-Atlantic Cruise
25. Attend the Academy Awards
26. Attend the Golden Globes
27. Attend the Emmy Awards
28. Attend the Tony Awards
29. Get my Italian Citizenship
30. Retire someplace in Europe
Sunday, July 4, 2010
It is my drug of choice
One of the challenges I often run into with my blogging is that everyone takes every word I write literally. I utilize my blog as a place to work out my brain, emotions, thoughts, dreams, desires and decisions that I am considering. I also am one of those individuals that often thinks out loud, saying and sharing thoughts about what I'd like to do/accomplish. I share random thoughts about my career, personal life, goals and feelings with a lot of the individuals that I know. It really bothers me when someone takes what I say or write as the gospel. I know that it can be frustrating to others who really want to pin me down on a specific issue but I need this venue and my real time ramblings to establish my priorities.
I have spent the past few weeks really thinking about what inspires me -- in other words, when I wake up in the morning, what do I want? I find that most of the time my thoughts run towards traveling. I love to travel. I love waking up in different places. I love the smell and feeling of an unfamiliar place as I learn the lay of the land. I love not knowing what is around the next corner or what adventure may be in store with an unscheduled day. I love sleeping in after a late night of drinking and socializing with new friends. I love waking up early to catch a flight, bus, train or ferry to an exciting new destination. For me, travel, just being in motion, has always created the most stability for me. I am also painfully aware that the loneliness I have carried with me throughout my life is as much a part of who I am when I am traveling -- and the people I meet - often those that really seem to fill the void the most - are the ones I am the quickest to leave. I may look back. I may have regrets yet I find I am unable to throw on the brakes long enough to stay or be in one place. I need a soul mate that craves the open road and adventure.
Financially speaking I grew up, as far as I knew, somewhat wealthy. Money in my late teens and early 20's was easy to make. I had enough luck in my life that there always seemed to be financial windfalls whenever I needed them to occur to allow me to take the next step of my professional and personal journey that started as a kid. Now, I realize I must rebuild financially to do what I love most.
Nothing inspires or motivates me like a trip. Even the mention of a trip makes me work harder than anything else. I know one part of my life is certain. I am a traveler. I need to travel. I must travel. I will continue to explore this world and learn from each stranger who becomes a friend.
I have spent the past few weeks really thinking about what inspires me -- in other words, when I wake up in the morning, what do I want? I find that most of the time my thoughts run towards traveling. I love to travel. I love waking up in different places. I love the smell and feeling of an unfamiliar place as I learn the lay of the land. I love not knowing what is around the next corner or what adventure may be in store with an unscheduled day. I love sleeping in after a late night of drinking and socializing with new friends. I love waking up early to catch a flight, bus, train or ferry to an exciting new destination. For me, travel, just being in motion, has always created the most stability for me. I am also painfully aware that the loneliness I have carried with me throughout my life is as much a part of who I am when I am traveling -- and the people I meet - often those that really seem to fill the void the most - are the ones I am the quickest to leave. I may look back. I may have regrets yet I find I am unable to throw on the brakes long enough to stay or be in one place. I need a soul mate that craves the open road and adventure.
Financially speaking I grew up, as far as I knew, somewhat wealthy. Money in my late teens and early 20's was easy to make. I had enough luck in my life that there always seemed to be financial windfalls whenever I needed them to occur to allow me to take the next step of my professional and personal journey that started as a kid. Now, I realize I must rebuild financially to do what I love most.
Nothing inspires or motivates me like a trip. Even the mention of a trip makes me work harder than anything else. I know one part of my life is certain. I am a traveler. I need to travel. I must travel. I will continue to explore this world and learn from each stranger who becomes a friend.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
I haven't blogged in a while. My old blog is over on Myspace (www.myspace.com/lostineurope). I started it in late 2004. Whenever I have stopped blogging - it's generally because life is good or more likely, I have just gotten to busy to keep up with it. I have noticed a trend. My mental health is directly tied to how much I blog. For better or worse it is vital that I share my thoughts and feelings - even if I feel like some of them are met to be private.
In this new social media world it is almost impossible to expect any level of privacy and I have come to terms with that especially since I have spent most of my adult life working in the entertainment industry. I am back at a point in my life where I feel like I am starting over again. I never expected to be back to that point so soon but I have recognized the pattern. It happened in 1997 when I challenged my family about the well being of my nephews. It happened in 2000 when I got overly involved in a friends personal relationship with another person. It happened in late 2003 when I had a major falling out with my stepmom. Again in late 2004 when I chose to stand up for some clients in Hollywood. Then in 2006 when I had an engagement fall apart, again in summer 2007 when some coworkers questioned and doubted my skills. Last spring I had some minor setbacks but now, the summer of 2010 - well, I am at ground zero and need to rebuild, regroup and redirect my life.
Stay tuned and thanks, in advance, for your support, comments and such.
In this new social media world it is almost impossible to expect any level of privacy and I have come to terms with that especially since I have spent most of my adult life working in the entertainment industry. I am back at a point in my life where I feel like I am starting over again. I never expected to be back to that point so soon but I have recognized the pattern. It happened in 1997 when I challenged my family about the well being of my nephews. It happened in 2000 when I got overly involved in a friends personal relationship with another person. It happened in late 2003 when I had a major falling out with my stepmom. Again in late 2004 when I chose to stand up for some clients in Hollywood. Then in 2006 when I had an engagement fall apart, again in summer 2007 when some coworkers questioned and doubted my skills. Last spring I had some minor setbacks but now, the summer of 2010 - well, I am at ground zero and need to rebuild, regroup and redirect my life.
Stay tuned and thanks, in advance, for your support, comments and such.
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