You Asked for My Opinion ...

A client called me yesterday because he had landed an interview at two very prominent talent agencies in Los Angeles, for their agent training programs.

And, since he knew that my rise through the talent agency ranks had been meteoric, from talent assistant to head of television in 30 days, with NO agency experience, he wanted to ask my advice on a few things. (The fact that no one returned my calls during my first year on the job is a whole other story!)

Towards the end of our conversation, the topic of wardrobe came up and he told me that he was going to wear khaki pants, a navy blazer, a white shirt with a red tie and nice shoes. Then he asked me what I thought...

I told him he needed to wear a suit.

His response was that he was going to wear khaki pants, a navy blazer and a really great red tie, and that he thought this was a really nice outfit. Again, I told him he needed to wear a suit.

This went on for four or five more minutes, back and forth, telling me how nice the khaki pants were; that they weren't chinos, but really nice pants, and would that be okay?

Once again, I told him that ... HE NEEDED TO WEAR A SUIT!

It wasn't until this afternoon that I wondered why he asked for my opinion in the first place, since all he really wanted me to do was agree that his outfit was okay for these interviews.

The only problem was that it was not okay. He needed to dress for the job he wanted (future talent agent), not the job he currently has (waiter).

I recently had the chance to catch one of my favorite movies on TV: Working Girl, with Sigourney Weaver and Melanie Griffith.

At one point in the movie, Sigourney's character makes this comment to Melanie's character: Dress shabbily, they notice the clothes. Dress impeccably, they notice you.

In order for my client to compete at the level he wants to compete at, he has to dress the part; and the agents at both of these agencies wear full suits - not khaki pants.

So what, exactly, is the point of this story?

I guess it's this:

There are a lot of people in this business who are more than willing to share their knowledge with you. However, if you have the good fortune to meet one of us, and you ask us for our opinion, or our help with something, then at least be willing to listen to what we have to say!

However, if the only thing you want is for us to agree with you on a particular issue, then please DON'T ask for our opinion. Or, if you do ask, please don't argue with whatever information we offer.

Honestly, it really doesn't matter to me what clothes my client wears to these interviews. He could wear jeans for all I care, because I'm not the one he needs to impress, and I'm not the one interviewing for the job. But, I'm also done offering my opinion more than one time, when asked, because it seems to go in one ear and out the other.

My grandmother once told me that you should never argue with a child because you're never going to win...

Grandma was right!

To Your Success,
Sharon

www.TheIndustryCoach.com
www.101TipsForActors.com

101 Tips for Actors

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Here's hoping that 2008 is your most prosperous year, yet!

Happy Holidays,
Sharon


www.TheIndustryCoach.com