Making the best of the silence

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.