Sunday, July 25, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Congrats to Francie Calfo on your new gig as President of Imagine TV ... You Go, Girl! (http://tinyurl.com/DV072210)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Lessons from George Steinbrenner
The first time I met George Steinbrenner was on the Chapel steps at my high school in Indiana. During the course of our conversation, he told me that if I ever needed help with my career I should call him, as he'd be more than happy to help me in whatever way he could.
At that point in time I really had no understanding of who he was in the business world, let alone the world of sports. However, his offer made a huge impression on me, and I've kept in touch with him ever since that meeting.
I realize that George Steinbrenner wasn't perfect (actually none of us are), and that he seemingly had a great number of enemies, based on his reputation as "the boss." However, I want to tell you about the man behind the mask. You see the man I knew was a father, a grandfather and a great humanitarian.
Here are three things I learned from Mr. Steinbrenner over the last 23 years that I'd like to share with you:
Live With Passion. Do you live your life with passion? Or, is everyday just another day on the calendar?
George Steinbrenner did, and his three biggest passions were sports, his family and the New York Yankees (although not necessarily in that order).
One of the things about which he and I communicated was his grandchildren, as one in particular is a very talented performer in their own right and is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. After this grandchild performed at Radio City Music Hall, George was very excited to see what opportunities might lay ahead for them in the future.
You see, aside from being an astute - and sometimes tough - business man, George Steinbrenner was also a family man. He was a father, and a grandfather, who was extremely proud of his children, and his grandchildren, and he loved them passionately.
Set High Standards. When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the best day possible? Or do you expect the sky to cave in?
If you follow sports at all, then I'm sure you know that Mr. Steinbrenner shelled out a lot of money to get the best players in baseball for his Yankee team. However, when he brought these players onboard, he also let them know that he had very high expectations of them; not only around their playing skills, but also around the issue of their personal appearance and their personal character.
Each member of that team, and in that organization, was/is a New York Yankee and, as such, Mr. Steinbrenner expected them to act in a way that would bring pride to both themselves and the Yankees. As a result, his team has the championships to show for it.
Give Back to Your Community. Are you a "giver" or a "taker" in life? How would your friends describe you?
One of Mr. Steinbrenner's greatest attributes was that he was a big humanitarian who quietly gave back to both the community and the world-at-large.
He put kids he didn't even know through high school, college and graduate school; he gave millions of dollars to schools so that the students attending them would receive the best possible education, and he quietly went about meeting the unmet needs of others, about whom we will probably never hear, because he wanted to give back to others; not because he had to.
Food for Thought: Whether or not you're a fan of George Steinbrenner, or the New York Yankees, is not important at this point in time. Instead, the important thing to remember here is that if we're open to it, we can always learn something from the lives and experiences of others, which, more often than not, we can apply to our own lives if we're willing to do so.
P.S. Want more inspiration like this? Then sign up for my free newsletter, the Industry News Digest today!
At that point in time I really had no understanding of who he was in the business world, let alone the world of sports. However, his offer made a huge impression on me, and I've kept in touch with him ever since that meeting.
I realize that George Steinbrenner wasn't perfect (actually none of us are), and that he seemingly had a great number of enemies, based on his reputation as "the boss." However, I want to tell you about the man behind the mask. You see the man I knew was a father, a grandfather and a great humanitarian.
Here are three things I learned from Mr. Steinbrenner over the last 23 years that I'd like to share with you:
Live With Passion. Do you live your life with passion? Or, is everyday just another day on the calendar?
George Steinbrenner did, and his three biggest passions were sports, his family and the New York Yankees (although not necessarily in that order).
One of the things about which he and I communicated was his grandchildren, as one in particular is a very talented performer in their own right and is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. After this grandchild performed at Radio City Music Hall, George was very excited to see what opportunities might lay ahead for them in the future.
You see, aside from being an astute - and sometimes tough - business man, George Steinbrenner was also a family man. He was a father, and a grandfather, who was extremely proud of his children, and his grandchildren, and he loved them passionately.
Set High Standards. When you wake up in the morning, do you expect the best day possible? Or do you expect the sky to cave in?
If you follow sports at all, then I'm sure you know that Mr. Steinbrenner shelled out a lot of money to get the best players in baseball for his Yankee team. However, when he brought these players onboard, he also let them know that he had very high expectations of them; not only around their playing skills, but also around the issue of their personal appearance and their personal character.
Each member of that team, and in that organization, was/is a New York Yankee and, as such, Mr. Steinbrenner expected them to act in a way that would bring pride to both themselves and the Yankees. As a result, his team has the championships to show for it.
Give Back to Your Community. Are you a "giver" or a "taker" in life? How would your friends describe you?
One of Mr. Steinbrenner's greatest attributes was that he was a big humanitarian who quietly gave back to both the community and the world-at-large.
He put kids he didn't even know through high school, college and graduate school; he gave millions of dollars to schools so that the students attending them would receive the best possible education, and he quietly went about meeting the unmet needs of others, about whom we will probably never hear, because he wanted to give back to others; not because he had to.
Food for Thought: Whether or not you're a fan of George Steinbrenner, or the New York Yankees, is not important at this point in time. Instead, the important thing to remember here is that if we're open to it, we can always learn something from the lives and experiences of others, which, more often than not, we can apply to our own lives if we're willing to do so.
P.S. Want more inspiration like this? Then sign up for my free newsletter, the Industry News Digest today!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hoping this doesn't happen, but definitely understanding the viewpoint of the Teamsters ...
(http://tinyurl.com/TransStrike)
(http://tinyurl.com/TransStrike)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
R.I.P. George
Mourning the loss of my friend, George Steinbrenner, and sending my prayers out to his family, friends, colleagues and all members (both past and present) of his beloved New York Yankees.
Monday, July 12, 2010
1-800-My-Agent
(From the book: 101 Tips for Actors)
Is there someone in your life whom you talk to on the phone every day? Maybe even three, four or five times a day?
Has there ever been a day when this person called you, and you actually ignored their call because you had already spoken with them so many times that you just needed some space? Have you ever called someone so often that they may have ignored your call?
As an actor, once in a while a situation comes up and there’s a reason for you and your agent to speak five, six, seven or even ten times in one day – especially if he or she is in the middle of negotiating a deal for you. For the most part, however, once a week is more than enough, particularly if the business is slow or there’s nothing going on.
Don’t call your agent or manager just to “talk,” because the more time they spend on the phone talking to you (especially if it’s nothing more than chit chat), the less time they have talking about you with the people who can hire you.
Which would you rather have: a nice, cozy, feel-good conversation with your agent? Or, a nice, juicy part in a fabulous movie or TV show that provides you with a big, fat paycheck, that came about as a result of your agent spending time on the phone promoting you?
The choice is up to you!
BREAKDOWN: You want your agent out there promoting you and talking about you, not with you. So, unless it’s been a while and you need to check in, or you’re returning their call, don’t call your agent 2 or 3 times a day – especially when it’s just to shoot the breeze.
******************
101 Tips for Actors:
Secrets for Success Every Actor Must Know
Designed to provide you with practical information for pursuing your acting career, 101 Tips for Actors gives you an insider’s look at how to be successful in this business. To learn more, go to: www.101TipsForActors.com
Is there someone in your life whom you talk to on the phone every day? Maybe even three, four or five times a day?
Has there ever been a day when this person called you, and you actually ignored their call because you had already spoken with them so many times that you just needed some space? Have you ever called someone so often that they may have ignored your call?
As an actor, once in a while a situation comes up and there’s a reason for you and your agent to speak five, six, seven or even ten times in one day – especially if he or she is in the middle of negotiating a deal for you. For the most part, however, once a week is more than enough, particularly if the business is slow or there’s nothing going on.
Don’t call your agent or manager just to “talk,” because the more time they spend on the phone talking to you (especially if it’s nothing more than chit chat), the less time they have talking about you with the people who can hire you.
Which would you rather have: a nice, cozy, feel-good conversation with your agent? Or, a nice, juicy part in a fabulous movie or TV show that provides you with a big, fat paycheck, that came about as a result of your agent spending time on the phone promoting you?
The choice is up to you!
BREAKDOWN: You want your agent out there promoting you and talking about you, not with you. So, unless it’s been a while and you need to check in, or you’re returning their call, don’t call your agent 2 or 3 times a day – especially when it’s just to shoot the breeze.
******************
101 Tips for Actors:
Secrets for Success Every Actor Must Know
Designed to provide you with practical information for pursuing your acting career, 101 Tips for Actors gives you an insider’s look at how to be successful in this business. To learn more, go to: www.101TipsForActors.com
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Thank you Amy Grant, for sharing this video with the rest of us: http://ping.fm/HFsG7 God Bless Tennessee!
Always a Bridesmaid?
When Venus Williams was knocked out of Wimbledon last week, the first thought that crossed my mind was that she always appears to be a “bridesmaid,” next to her sister Serena, aka “the bride!”
But after watching some of the other games, I found it very interesting to note that many of the top-ranked players, including Roger Federer, were actually losing matches to their lesser-ranked opponents and thereby opening the door for those who, in the past, have not had the opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals, semi-finals or even championship matches!
So what does this have to do with your career? Everything if you have ever found yourself feeling like you’re “always the bridesmaid but never the bride.” And if that’s the case, here are two simple steps you can take, to leave your “bridesmaid dress” behind forever!
Do the Work. When I was pursing my own acting career, I had a cousin who was discovered by the casting director of The Young and the Restless while he was walking down Hollywood Boulevard.
If you’ve ever seen the movie Legally Blonde, then you may remember this line “Do you think she woke up one morning and said: I think I’ll go to law school today?” Well, that was kind of my cousin’s journey, where he just decided to move LA one day to pursue an acting career. And, while I don’t know too many of the details, I do know that he blew the opportunity that had been handed to him on a silver platter and is no longer in the business.
If you’re able to read this article, then I’m willing to bet that you went to school to learn how to read. I’m also willing to bet that you had to take tests to move from one grade to the next, and eventually graduate. And if that’s the case, I’m also willing to bet that unless you were a superstar athlete and was able to get someone to take your tests for you, you were the one who had to study and do the homework in order to pass those tests.
So here’s the deal: when it comes to pursuing your career, you have to do the work involved, and that means: taking class; networking; sending out your headshots and resumes, and going on as many auditions as possible. Because just like when you were in school and no could take your tests for you, no one can pursue your acting career but YOU!
Don’t Quit. The other day, as I was flipping channels on the TV, I came across an old movie entitled Life Guard that starred Sam Elliott (loved him in Road House) and Parker Stevenson (loved him in The Hardy Boys). Now the thing that struck me the most was the fact that this movie was made back in 1976 – thirty-four years ago – and the fact that these two guys are still working in the business. That being said, however, can you imagine how many times one or both of them probably felt discouraged and wanted to quit the business? Dozens, at least!
When I was in high school, someone shared this poem with me, and I’ve kept it on my bulletin board ever since! Hopefully it will inspire you as much as it has me:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
Food for Thought: Just like the poem says, you never know how close to success you may be, but if you don’t do the work or you decide to quit when things get hard, you may never know “what could have been,” had you just pushed on a little further!
P.S. Want more inspiration like this? Then sign up for my free newsletter, the Industry News Digest today!
But after watching some of the other games, I found it very interesting to note that many of the top-ranked players, including Roger Federer, were actually losing matches to their lesser-ranked opponents and thereby opening the door for those who, in the past, have not had the opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals, semi-finals or even championship matches!
So what does this have to do with your career? Everything if you have ever found yourself feeling like you’re “always the bridesmaid but never the bride.” And if that’s the case, here are two simple steps you can take, to leave your “bridesmaid dress” behind forever!
Do the Work. When I was pursing my own acting career, I had a cousin who was discovered by the casting director of The Young and the Restless while he was walking down Hollywood Boulevard.
If you’ve ever seen the movie Legally Blonde, then you may remember this line “Do you think she woke up one morning and said: I think I’ll go to law school today?” Well, that was kind of my cousin’s journey, where he just decided to move LA one day to pursue an acting career. And, while I don’t know too many of the details, I do know that he blew the opportunity that had been handed to him on a silver platter and is no longer in the business.
If you’re able to read this article, then I’m willing to bet that you went to school to learn how to read. I’m also willing to bet that you had to take tests to move from one grade to the next, and eventually graduate. And if that’s the case, I’m also willing to bet that unless you were a superstar athlete and was able to get someone to take your tests for you, you were the one who had to study and do the homework in order to pass those tests.
So here’s the deal: when it comes to pursuing your career, you have to do the work involved, and that means: taking class; networking; sending out your headshots and resumes, and going on as many auditions as possible. Because just like when you were in school and no could take your tests for you, no one can pursue your acting career but YOU!
Don’t Quit. The other day, as I was flipping channels on the TV, I came across an old movie entitled Life Guard that starred Sam Elliott (loved him in Road House) and Parker Stevenson (loved him in The Hardy Boys). Now the thing that struck me the most was the fact that this movie was made back in 1976 – thirty-four years ago – and the fact that these two guys are still working in the business. That being said, however, can you imagine how many times one or both of them probably felt discouraged and wanted to quit the business? Dozens, at least!
When I was in high school, someone shared this poem with me, and I’ve kept it on my bulletin board ever since! Hopefully it will inspire you as much as it has me:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
Food for Thought: Just like the poem says, you never know how close to success you may be, but if you don’t do the work or you decide to quit when things get hard, you may never know “what could have been,” had you just pushed on a little further!
P.S. Want more inspiration like this? Then sign up for my free newsletter, the Industry News Digest today!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
On the passing of WME Agent Ed Limato
Sending my prayers to the family, friends and clients of WME agent Ed Limato on his passing yesterday. (http://tinyurl.com/38hz833)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
A Dose of Inspiration!
Are you an actor looking for a little encouragement around your career? Then I’d like to offer you a dose of inspiration, if I may!
The other day one of my private coaching clients was telling me that she had just re-listened to a call I held last December regarding the Actors Success Circle™ Program that I was putting together, and that she walked away from that call with the following pieces of information:
• The only two reasons why agents take on new clients
• The main job of an agent and/or manager
• The one thing agents can do which managers cannot
• The underlying motives agents can have in trying to get their clients to take a job
• What hidden secret you need to know about getting the Breakdowns
I also did a brief Actors Mindset™ session around the topic of "Career Commitment," which you can hear, as well.
Please know that this note is actually not about promoting the Actors Success Circle™ to you. If you're interested in learning more about the program, that information is also covered on this call.
Instead, what I really want to do is to offer you some inspiration around your career and would invite you to listen to the call RIGHT NOW, as it may just be the catalyst you need to take action and have some fun at the same time!
Remember, I believe in you and I KNOW that there's room for you in this industry!
The other day one of my private coaching clients was telling me that she had just re-listened to a call I held last December regarding the Actors Success Circle™ Program that I was putting together, and that she walked away from that call with the following pieces of information:
• The only two reasons why agents take on new clients
• The main job of an agent and/or manager
• The one thing agents can do which managers cannot
• The underlying motives agents can have in trying to get their clients to take a job
• What hidden secret you need to know about getting the Breakdowns
I also did a brief Actors Mindset™ session around the topic of "Career Commitment," which you can hear, as well.
Please know that this note is actually not about promoting the Actors Success Circle™ to you. If you're interested in learning more about the program, that information is also covered on this call.
Instead, what I really want to do is to offer you some inspiration around your career and would invite you to listen to the call RIGHT NOW, as it may just be the catalyst you need to take action and have some fun at the same time!
Remember, I believe in you and I KNOW that there's room for you in this industry!
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