Peeping Tom

I'm somewhat of a voyeur (voyeuse?) ... a peeping Tom (Tomasina?). I sneak into blogs, read and marvel at the wonderful wordplay ... and then sneak out as quietly as I entered without nary a sound or comment.

I'm constantly amazed by the creative templates used, the thought and time put into each posting ... some complete with pictures. And yet, I always end up scratching my head and wondering ... where do these folks find the time?

Does their prose really flow that easily, that perfectly from the tips of their fingers? Or is it written and rewritten until it is as near perfect as possible? Sure I've encountered some blogs on my stealth missions that appear to have been written and posted immediately ... but there's stuff out there that reads like "literature", if you know what I mean. And some of that "literature" has regular posting!!

Being an amateur blogger myself, I understand the time and energy needed to post regularly (while making some kind of sense) ... and I've got to wonder ... do these people really have the exciting lives they speak of? Or is there some artistic license thrown into the pot?

The answers don't really matter ... I'll keep lurking and setting out on my stealth missions ... and vicariously enjoy what others have written. That's what peeping Toms do.

There's no business like show business

You've got to be a glutton for punishment or rejection.

Or maybe you just dream bigger than most people ... and nothing and no one can pop that bubble.

Having peeked behind the velvet curtain of the industry ... even from up here in "North Hollywood" ... I scoff at those who don't know the industry enough to know that there are no overnight success stories. It's an industry based on hard work, preparation, seizing opportunities when they knock and more importantly, paying your dues.

I've sure there are some real overnight success stories out there ... but in reality, most overnight success stories have worked harder and endured more rejection than most of us will in our entire lifetimes.

It's an industry based on forking out hard-earned money ... putting money behind the dream for things like gas, parking, headshots, heck even wardrobe sometimes, classes and seminars, networking events ... postcards and holiday greetings and schmooze ... and keeping in contact with even the lowest peon on the totem pole (which is sometimes you).

It's an industry where, you've got to be known to be booked ... so those first auditions, don't hold your breath ... it's all about doing well enough to be called back in. Paying dues ... student movies, indies, webisodes, ... then if you're lucky, a bit part on some TV show or a notch above an extra in a feature ... heck, if you're really lucky you could score a commercial or two ... or a speaking part on a mini-series or mockumentary.

You soon find out that casting directors work with who they know ... or who they've seen audition enough times to assume that a good audition is not a "fluke" ...

And as time goes by ... you notice those that have given up ... and can recognize a "newbie" and their parents as soon as they open a door. You get to know which parents are competitive ... and those who are helpful because they understand that casting decisions are out of their hands (and that their behaviour reflects on their child and provides example) ...

Having a little "starlet" hopeful at home (who actually spent some time signing autographs for the firemen who came to ventilate our home last night after our small fire mishap ... okay so, some of them knew her daddy ... but imagine the thrill when you're all of nine?) certainly has this topic top front and center in mind.

I'm constantly gauging her level of continued interest, trying to access any self-confidence issues ... wondering if this is "good" for her or not. The funny thing is ... I'm the one who's the most disappointed when she doesn't book ... she expresses some regret and it's done. Onto the next project, the next audition, the next step in her career.

Is it the resiliency of youth? Or are "artists" born with this? This ability to forge on no matter what ... the ability to carve practice time and lesson time out of busy schedules ... the ability to turn everyday chores and tasks into something that will help further their dream?

I'm dealing with the disappointment of the phone not ringing to announce she'd booked the "Guitar Hero" commercial she'd been called back on. She was walking on air when she walked out of that casting office declaring that she couldn't have done any better ... the casting director had waved to her before she went in ... we know he loves her. And yet ... she didn't have the right look or the right colour hair or eyes ... and the prize goes to another little girl with the same hopes and dreams.

But as a mother, I can't help but wish that it was my little girl and her hopes and dreams ... because after all, she is the best right?

Want to read more about the industry ... take a gander at this great blog by Ken Levine

Birth

Another blog sees the light of day.

Funny how blogs tend to want to multiply like rabbits or cells. Not so funny when one stops to think that it may simply reflect how compartmentalized our human brains are. But then again, it may simply be an instinct for order amidst the chaos. Even as kids we tend to put things into different piles. I'm sure everyone can remember sitting cross-legged on the floor with blocks or Legos or Polly Pocket clothes and knowing instinctively which pile every single item belonged in. Instinctively yes, for the most part, but it did take some concentration and effort to hear those pieces tell you where they belonged.

Watch a child some day ... look at the furrowed brow, the set of their lips, the tiny pink tongue sticking out as their hands hover over one or two or three piles ... waiting, as one probably does with a divining rod ... to feel that magnetic pull ... and then the contented look or even the nod of approval as the item gets "plopped" down in its rightful place.

I'd actually sworn to myself that I wasn't going to become one of those crazy multi-bloggers. I'd wondered many times how they ever found the time to write anywhere with so many choices before them. I realize now ... that it's much like the example I cited above, the thoughts on the tip of your tongue kinda' let you know where and how you should be exposing them to light. I mean, if I want to rant full throttle about injustice or some general topic ... why would I do that it my daily journal? ... or in a blog that's co-authored with a friend?

And so, a new blog convinces the blogger that it should see light.