How to be a Competitive Player in the Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry is as competitive as the Olympics. More so now that its survivors and thrivers have weathered the storms of an unprecedented pandemic, a duo strike, and the current culling. Below I offer three ways you can cultivate your career within the ebbs and flows of this business.
Identify the motivation behind your goals.
What is your why? Explore behind the curtains of “I want to be a(n) [insert title]” and identify the motivating factors that are leading you on your path. As life happens, especially events that are beyond our control, it is important to regularly check-in with our “whys” so that you can pivot when necessary. Identifying the motivation behind your goals keeps you on track for success, even if it means venturing onto a fork in the road. Trust your intuition to choose the path.
Align your work ethic with your goals.
This is not a 9–5 business, 8-hour day, or 40-hour work week. When you have a clear picture of your goals, reverse engineer what those benchmarks are towards reaching them. For example, if your goal is to acquire talent or literary representation, you have to have your pitch presentation ready prior to reaching out to agents and managers. Break that down into your headshot, resume, talent reel, writing sample, or artist portfolio, and query letter, alignment is key. Are your materials an accurate reflection of where you are now? Do they need updating? Put in the work to showcase your talent and potential, so that people will be inspired to help elevate your career. Having a strong work ethic means investing time and resources into achieving your goals.
Collaborate with like-minded creatives to achieve your goals.
The entertainment industry is a business of collaboration, and it takes surrounding yourself with like-minded creatives to get things done. Invest time in nurturing those relationships. The majority of my clients I have represented before they had a credit on IMDB. I had to be aware of the changing tides in the industry and also their shifts as a rising artist. Seasons for relationships do naturally often come to an end. If so, part ways amicably. Know when to walk away from a collaboration that no longer feels right, healthy, or in alignment with your broader vision. Keep putting yourself out there. Doors to new relationships and opportunities will open. It takes time and patience.
Why you want to be an artist, how hard (or smart — more on that later) you work, and how well you work with others are going to drive your success in an industry where there is not a dedicated roadmap. Reframe the detours into solutions. Respond to unpredictable situations that arise with integrity in your words and actions. Be competitive and be a good person. The two qualities are not mutually exclusive.
