Many people think landing a job is the ultimate goal for being in the industry, no matter which production it is. However, although money is important, and a stable job is even better, but many have forgotten what drove them to the industry in the first place- the “Passion”.
It is amazing when we landed fantastic jobs, especially working with high profile films, the joy is overwhelming. No doubt about it, that does not only look good on your resume, but also possibly put you at a higher rate and better negotiating position for the next employment opportunity. Often people say, “get your foot in the door first, the rest is easy”. Is that necessarily true? I have seen my share of people got booted, and not because their contract has ended, but they have been terminated prior. It is always hard to see when that happens, especially on the personal level, they could be the greatest individuals you’ve had the pleasure of working with. However, as professionals, they did not possess necessary qualities and contributed negatively to the production. My point is, it shouldn’t be about how you get the job, but how to keep the job, having contract extensions, and more important, being a professional!
So what does “Passion” have to do with being a professional? Remember the time when we were all in school, we assimilated every industry related knowledge, like a sponge, sucked it all up. We were hungry, creative, looked for every possible solution to compensate for our lack of skill and time. I have spoken to a few colleagues lately, and we all agree that the “spunk” has diminished over time due to long working hours, and/or lacking creative freedom. As a result, some people withdrawn to their comfort zone, only perform tasks they’re comfortable with and refuse to further expand their skill sets; others loose their focus at work, Facebook and Youtube take most of their working hours instead. This kind of attitude could also have a rippling effect, creating an imbalance within the work place. The unfinished tasks pile up and shift ownership to other artists, and eventually someone will get burned out, sick, and halt the production in many aspects. Exaggerated? Not really.
Remember why you’re in the tv/game/film industry in the first place, is because your love for it, and so are your colleagues. Be a passionate responsible artist, and be a true professional.
-e