A New Leaf

I figure I've spent my days writing about frustrations in life - especially in work. When you're part of the Entertainment Industry (film, tv, music, etc...) it drains you of so much of your passion sometimes that you get sidetracked. I've been expressing and exposing these issue that have annoyed me and my colleagues for a while now, and I think I've proven my point. When I started this blog, it was meant more to incite motivation and allude change. 

They say that the tried-and-true method can only work for so long, so hopefully I will have more positive things to write about in the following months. I've decided to leave work frustrations at work and focus on more lifestyle crusades to write about instead. So, bare with me as I brainstorm ideas regarding psychology, sociology, the arts, political issues, etc... hopefully making each subject relevant to the daily reader.

Cheers to getting out of my comfort zone... let's see where this takes me

Eye of the Beholder

A Room with a view, wouldn’t that be nice. It might perhaps be a lavish penthouse suite, or a very spacious modern office at the top of a prestigious building (which might as well end up being your penthouse suite), or you might be staying on vacation at one of the top rooms at an exclusive hotel. Whichever room it might be is not what’s truly important, what does matter is the view.
A view from the top means nothing if you’re looking down at ant size people walking around, feeling like you’re better than them. A view of a wall (from the building next door) also doesn’t help in appreciating ones environment. Your view from whichever room you choose needs to be one thing among others – it need to be yours.
Our perceptions are our windows to ourselves, to our manner of thinking and of viewing the world. It doesn’t matter where we are as long as we can have a room with a view – meaning, geography shouldn’t become a factor as long as your view is one of optimism.
You could be at a grand hotel in Paris, looking at the Eifel Tower from your room. Or you could be in New York overlooking Central Park. If you perceive your vision in a pessimistic nature, then that is where you’ve lost yourself in a fog of negativity. Rather than viewing the Park, or the historic monument as just something to look at, or not wanting to take part of going and enjoying these sites because it’s too much of a hassle; try to appreciate what you are looking at. Try to find the greatness in your views of the world, big or small, it doesn’t matter. As long as you take a second to acknowledge your surroundings and appreciate the good, the better off you’ll be and the more your view will increase with happiness and beauty.
If this sounds a bit too fluffed up for you, then look at the facts. Research shows that in order to be more optimistic and happy one should invest more in experiences – the more you spend on experiences rather than on material things, the better you’ll feel in the long run. Stories will only get better with time, as opposed to material things which will eventually have no more use for you. People should also learn to be present, savor the moments and start noticing the good things around them. You don’t necessarily have to stop what you’re doing, just try to be mindful of your actions and acknowledge those moments, which you might not get to experience again.
People who are optimistic are also by nature strivers, they are always pushing, never conforming, and always having to adjust and re-adjust. This is good because it gives them drive and motivation, which make them more likely to reach their goals, and eventually set up more goals – giving them a long list of accomplishments to be proud of.
Just to be clear, happiness and optimism are not the same. Happiness is about today, while optimism is about tomorrow. To be continuously in a good frame of mind will eventually get you to feel happy on a daily basis. And to consistently be on the look out for good things coming your way will suffice your optimistic views of life. They are both key elements to finding success, and great allies to have in this (sometimes frustrating) life. It’s not just about having a room with a great view anymore, you need to a) be able to create your own view and b) be able to appreciate it as well.

Running to Catch Up

What is normal vs. what is normalized...Why do we rationalize our surroundings when we know it's not the best environment? 

I believe it is normal to feel - to be frustrated, happy, sad, etc... and be able to express ourselves. To normalize something happens when we conform to our environments, and to those who believe to be in authority. Of course, I am not advocating for people to have meltdowns and tantrums at the workplace - there is a place and time to blatantly expressourselves, but still it doesn't mean we should just let things rolls off our backs (unless it doesn't really affect us, or unless we really don't care). To have thick skin to many means to be able to roll withh the punches, to not let things get to you... To me, it means to normalize outstanding behavior - to normalize being yelled at, getting stressed over the most insignificant detail, becoming the butler, maid, go-to person whenever your boss needs an emergency psychology session... all this gets rationalized as paying your dues, it's part of the "hazing" that everyone goes through - it's how the weak get separated from the strong; or rather how the normal get de-sensitized to be able to take the worst from the worst.

My question is, is this process really worth it? Is it necessary or can there be another way to prove whether or not a person belongs to the industry? Some people might say why mess with something that has been going on for years? Well because as times change people do as well - everything evolves on some scale.. and are those left behind truly those who are the strongest from the bunch? or are they the ones who slowly loose their common sense and normalize their surroundings in order to reach the top? How effecient have these people proven to be?

For example, by challenging newcomers with tasks that actually have something to do with the job at hand? Giving them projects to analyze, simulate a meeting and make them work under real pressure; by actually showing them what it means to do your job and seeing if they have what it takes if far greater than having them run around like headless chickens, screaming at them for not getting your coffee right, etc... is worthless in my eyes. Maybe by initiating them into the workforce, rather than hazing them for a year or so, there would be more competent and content people working out there.

The last thing a recent grad (or anyone for that matter) wants to do is become an insignificant tool within a company. Us youngesters want to prove ourselves. So, give us real responsibilities and we will show you just how productive and beneficil we can be.

This however, is a vicious cycle which can only start to change if WE do something about it. We have a voice, we have motives, and we have skills. Things would run more efficiently if we wouldn't normalize this hazing ritual, and instead re-make the workplace into a normal environment where conforming is substituted with compromise and not with being exploited.

Too Much or Not Enough

Do you re-call me previous blog entry: “Pushing and Shoving”? Well, just to summarize, I touched upon the reality for most recent graduates who have been having a hard time finding a job due to their lack of experience. I still stand by what I said, but now, after talking to some friends who were previously employed and now are back at zero – I’ve realized they are having the same difficulties in getting new jobs as well. The reason? Too much experience.
Ironic huh? In other words, due to the on-going recession (the Government isn’t fooling anyone, we’re still hurting) the majority of companies have gone to extreme measures and have had to cut their budgets – meaning less money for employees. So by hiring people who are barely starting, they can get away with paying them next to nothing. That’s right; minimum wage is no longer the norm for just McDonald’s workers. Having a Bachelor’s degree doesn’t seem to make that much of a difference in monetary terms – at least not in the Entertainment Industry. Sucks, I know.
So, what incentives are these media people offering young eager people who already have experience and want to take the next step in their careers? Or for those unfortunate others who had to be laid off? Beats me. The potential to learn and grow within a company, or the promise that if you work hard for a year or two will eventually pay off when taking the next step seems like a dream of yester-year. Working your butt off nowadays means that you will continue to pay your dues until some form of miracle happens and you finally get the job you always wanted – and even then you will have to keep digging deep to keep it and you will have to work just as hard to continue to love it. Sounds like taking the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of a job right? Wrong.
The incentive to work in such a difficult environment is no longer external. You gain experience everyday, you meet new people everyday, network anywhere you can (if you meet the Director of Creative Affairs of a major studio in the bathroom you need to find a way to introduce yourself – easier if you’re a girl, just compliment her shoes); being able to grow in the right direction is now up to YOU. And the drive that keeps you going in a seemingly unfair trade is your passion for the Industry, your belief in writing, directing, producing, acting, representing the crème de la crème, etc… In today’s world, you need to be in charge of your motivation. Our incentives are internal; we push ourselves and put up with so much bull in order to get to the next step. Once we reach it, we realize that you have to continue to push, reach, fight, and yes, cry your way to the top.
Anyone who enters the realms of Hollywood knows it’s not an easy task. Rejection is not just for actors or models, “thick skin” is required but it’s not as important as having a strong belief in yourself. We are here for a purpose, and unfortunately it will take us a bit of time to find out what that purpose is. It doesn’t matter really, everything changes, we will have our ups and downs, but as long as we maintain focus on our dreams and passions, I’m sure we’ll be able to survive this struggle. Rejection is not really all that personal – overqualified, under-qualified, chemistry, competence; these are mere factors that shouldn’t play such a gigantic role in our work life. If you have a passion for the industry and are able to communicate it efficiently to the right person, you are very likely to land that dream job and keep pushing – because this is what you chose, this is where you want to be, and all the sweat and tears will be worth it. Only the strong survive, and only you can build up that necessary strength. Don’t be discouraged if you had to start from scratch and no one is making you a great offer, it’s not really their true choice – so many factors align in these decisions that it’s unfair for both parties sometimes. And if you have little experience and are having a tough time finding an entry level job, the same goes for you, all you need to do is show how much you are willing to invest in your work and how much it will pay off for both. Passion is key for most things in life, but right now, it’s an integrate part of putting yourself on the map and positioning yourself in the right direction. Whenever you feel discouraged, remind yourself of why you are here, why you want to be a Producer, Director, etc… and you’ll be able to continue moving. And if you can’t think of why, then I suggest you re-evaluate your situation - maybe this wasn’t the right place for you after all. There’s no shame, as long as you are able to find your passion and drive, you are one step closer to being where you’ve always wished to be, but most importantly, to be where you deserve to be.

Building Blocks

Leaving your mark on the world is beyond difficult for me to even wrap my mind around. There is a vast ocean of things one could do, and places and industries where one could work in, that to choose one thing seems limited and unfair. We’re not used to thinking about our capabilities in more than one thing, but to be honest it’s what we’ve always done. In school we would juggle 8 different classes in one day, we would then come home from school and go to other classes like dance, piano, soccer, tennis, etc… Then when in high school, most students get part time jobs, same goes for college students. We’ve been multitasking for a while now, so why would we decide to stick with just one thing now that we’re all grown up (and so much more capable). My question is, if you were working at X company, and were suddenly able to establish your very own company, a) would you do it? And b) what would your company be?
There are a lot of people that are content with being the employee, there’s less pressure and stress trying to carry an entire company (no matter how small it might be), doing your job and receiving a pay check is enough for them. This doesn’t mean they are less passionate about their jobs than others; it’s just more comforting to be taken care of than to take care of others. To be fully responsible for your staff and company transactions, doing every thing possible for your company to thrive is very risky and nerve racking. But, to be the boss has its very nice advantages too. You run the place, no one moves unless you approve, and if you’re successful you can run more companies and be the overall “big man on campus.” Not a bad way to live, huh? Especially when you’re ambitious.
Well, I’ve been employed for roughly over a year now, and I think I like the idea of being your own boss, rather than following instructions and doing things for other people. Don’t get me wrong, I love to help out and be productive, not to mention that great feeling of “I pulled off a miracle!!!” - but sometimes I just want to do my own thing on my won time. It’s really hard to be your own boss in the Film Industry; most people are actually independent contractors – especially those who work on film sets. But, to form your own company when you’re just starting out is one of the most difficult things to do in Hollywood. You lack sooo much experience when you first get here, it’s not even funny. Everyone here starts from the very bottom (unless your Spielberg’s kid, and even then you’re not guaranteed a big position when you first start). The Entertainment Industry is like no other; there are no set rules, everything is more of an understanding and there are a number of rites of passage. However, there is no better way to learn than through experience here, and for that you need to start as an Assistant.
Everyone in LaLa Land knows exactly what being an assistant is, and to be honest, it’s not for everyone. Confused? Let me clear it up. Being an assistant in Hollywood is not the same as being a secretary. Being an assistant to a Film Producer, Agent, Manager, Executive, Studio Head, etc… is being their shadow, their go-to person, their apprentice and their “punching bag”, among other famed titles like business manager, banker, driver, doctor, and the famed and loathed title of Psychologist.
It’s really not what people sign up for, but it’s the first step to making it here. If you can survive the first 2 years of being an assistant, you can survive just about anything. You learn the business, how to be resourceful, creative, and efficient – not to mention, learning some pretty useful survival techniques. Once this “boot camp-like/hell week” is over, you’re off to your next step. Here is where you may actually have the ability to choose your area of expertise. But, it has come with a price, you slaved for 2 years and you still have a long way to go to reach the top. Unfair? I’d say so. But, it’s the way it has always been so, no one does anything – they all just complain, ALL of them.
I don’t plan on ruffling any feathers here in Hollywood, nor am I going to try to create a rebellion against the Hollywood Monarchy. But, I do wish I could build up my own company within the Industry, and slowly create positive change. It’s going to take a while, but hopefully in the end it’ll be worth it. There have been a lot of people of have actually tried to establish a company based on morale, but have failed at the hand of the blood sucking Industry – no wonder the vampire trend has yet to lose speed. However, there might still hope, after all Hollywood movies are famed for their happily-ever-after endings.
So, referring back to my question, if I were able to establish my own company would I do it? Yes! In a heartbeat. What type of company would it be? I would love to create a corporation and have a variety of diverse companies under it – film production, talent management, maybe a magazine, some franchises, etc… the number of options are limitless, no matter what anyone says. Why not try out different things and be good at more than just one thing? We all have various skills that can be channelled to different things. So, instead of criticizing celebrities for trying to do it all, get inspired. Come one, if the Olsen twins could form a very profitable Empire by the time they turned 18, you can certainly put on your thinking cap, and see what innovative business you can integrate to the world.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Whistling while you work is one thing, but sneezing while you work is not cool. Annoying your co-workers whilst you whistle isn’t so bad, you can just stop and/or switch to humming – irritating your co-workers can be funny… sometimes. But, when you’re sick and sneezing, couching, and not making any sense when you speak then that is no fun at all. A) You feel crummy and are not properly motivated (or capable) of working. B) Your co-workers will treat you like the plague or a leper (no one wants to get sick, so they’ll maintain their distance). And C) staying at home and sleeping is your best bet, but it’s not really an acceptable thing to do. In a nutshell, being sick sucks, and it’s worse when you have to work.
Most companies give their employee’s “sick days” from which they are allowed to call in sick without feeling guilty of not going to work and thus delaying a deal or leaving clients high and dry. Unfortunately, in my industry, calling in sick makes you look like a wimp; everyone is expected to come in to work no matter how sick (or hungover) you are. If you have a migraine, take Exedrin; have a cold, DayQuil; etc… No one ever tells their employees to take the day off and get some rest, and most of us feel guilty asking, we would hate for it to translate into an excuse to just not come in. You’ve probably seen your boss working 24/7 no matter how stressed out and sick they might be, so you don’t want to be considered the weak link just because your body functions differently. Many of the execs and heads of companies can afford the best doctors and medicine, thus they are able to work with out the need of rest because of all the “superman” pills they take. We on the other hand are stuck with over the counter stuff that only works temporarily, and most of the time we don’t even take what we should – what do we know? If the bottle says it will take care of a fever, nose congestion, headache, stomach pains, and irritated eyes we’ll take it even though our main problem is a soar throat. We don’t know any better when it comes to over the counter medication, and we don’t know any better when it comes to calling in sick.
Would you rather call in sick on a day you don’t feel 100% and you’d rather just skip working and stay at home watching TV – sort of like skipping class. Or, would you rather call in sick because you have an interview for a waaay better job and don’t want anyone to find out about it until you actually get it? I’m guessing you’d opt for both. But, then comes this little irritating reality (at least for me) called karma. If you called in sick on a day that you actually could have gone to work without a problem, then eventually your lie will catch up to you. With all the extra stress and guilt of making up excuses, you’ll end up actually being sick– enough not to be able to go to work, but you’ll have to suck it up because you called in sick last week, so calling in sick again will only perpetuate your image of being a weak little person who will use the “sick excuse” any chance they get. It’s a no win situation if you ask me.
So, is it worth telling these little white lies to get out of going to work? Or will it come back to bite you in the end? In an ideal world, work would be like school – if you really don’t feel well, then you can stay at home watching TV as you drift in and out of sleep. When you get back you will have a whole lot of catching up to do, but at least now you’ll be clear-headed and properly capable of dealing with your responsibilities and stress. In the real world, I say, be prepared to issue those little white lies every once in a while, but also anticipate that you might have to use them again very soon – and you’ll need a different plan to carry it out. Outsmart your boss, and be wise about the choices you make at work. Like the saying goes, if you’re going to do something wrong, then do it right. And, if you truly are sick and know that you’ll recover faster by staying at home, then call in sick – you’re more of a coward if you prefer not to call, than calling because you need rest. In the end it’s just a job; your health and happiness is way more important and should be number one on your list of priorities – it’s better not to get paid on a sick day, than to get fired for having sneezed in your bosses face, or being so out of it that you email the wrong person confidential information about the company.
And if you have an in at another place for a better job, then take it and see what happens – you might miss out on something really good if you decide to not risk it and stay in the same place with no hope of moving up. It’s your health, your career and your future; do whatever you think is best, and make the necessary sacrifices only when necessary.

Down the Road Apiece

When I talk or write about something I have a strong opinion about, I tend to express myself in a very animated and affective manner. It might become misinterpreted as a negative energy coming from a source of anger. I know I might speak with some intensity, but in my perspective, I’m just simply saying what I think and believe. There are certain subjects that I am very passionate about, and there are others that bring out frustrations.
In this day and age I can assure you that there are more frustrations than contentment around the world. And all I’m trying to do via this blog is bring awareness to what others might be dealing with in the hope that they might feel comforted knowing that they share their dilemmas and unfairness with others. It’s not so much that misery loves company; rather, it’s more of a let’s try to turn that frown upside down type of thing.
In bringing awareness to these situations I am trying to keep my values and priorities in order, preaching without the ability to back it up isn’t really my way of being. If you read between the lines of what I write about, you’ll realize I’m emphasizing the unfairness and inequalities that some people (mostly those of my generation) might be going through. They might be serious, or they might be mundane frustrations, I try to give them a glimmer of hope in that things will eventually get better. But, you have to work at helping your situation – no fairy godmother or genie is going to wish your worries away. If you want to be happy, you have to find ways to deal with your concerns in order to achieve your goal, rather than looking the other way and just faking it.
It’s a true sadness that in today’s world, being realistic has become associated with being bitter and negative. Thinking in realistic terms doesn’t mean that you can’t be a romantic and a dreamer. Being realistic is knowing what you want, what you are capable of, and how to reach your goal. Being realistic is knowing who you are, and not being bothered with the need to conform into what you think you should be in order to have people think of you a certain way. I feel blessed in the sense that I know who I am, and I’m ok with it. I don’t feel the need to convince anyone of my opinions or manner of being, I just am.
Through my writing, I show you who I am little by little – you get to know my interests, perspectives, motivations and of course, my opinions. The subjects I parlay don’t necessarily apply to me (not everything is personal), but they might apply to others – including you Dear Reader. All I am responsible of is shining a small light on the situations I see happening around me. Unfortunately some of them might have a negative appeal, but you will (hopefully) realize that in each of my blogs there is a moral to the story – life doesn’t have to be so complicated and down, it really sucks if it is BUT you need to be aware of your surroundings in order to be able to help change them into something better for yourself and for others. Whining is unacceptable if you’re not doing something about it.
I grew up watching Disney movies religiously, and so I’ve grown up learning how to read between the lines – and before you even start, no, this is not an expose on the racist and anti-feminist underlying tendencies of the Disney characters – my point is, if you remember these Disney films, you’ll see that they all had to struggle in someway in their journey in order to get their “happily ever after.” This very notion is embedded in my way of viewing life: nothing is perfect, and it doesn’t need to be; there is a solution to each problem; you need to learn how to fight for yourself; and most importantly for me, you have to learn how to be yourself and be able to express who you are without fear. If Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” would have let the townspeople win, she wouldn’t have set the Beast free. Right?? Like I said you have to read between the lines, not everything is spelled out for us, and it is our job to interpret these messages as best we can to help our situation. This is the main reason for why I started this blog, so that I can be able take things off my chest and try to find ways to make these concerns turn into better situations.
I take time to enjoy the good things in life, being grateful for what I have and the people I get to call friends. But I also don’t blind myself or turn my back to the bad. Having said that, I want to thank those who have taken the time to read what I have to say – it truly means a lot to me, and I hope you’ve been able to relate to what I write about in some way. We’re all in the same boat trying to reach land (our goal of happiness and fulfilment). All I ask is that you help me row, so we can get their together (& faster ☺).