Creative Talent Development - Fight For Your Passion

We've all heard stories like this: an attorney quits his law firm practice after twenty years to deliver newspapers daily because he thought he "would die" if he continued his old "reliable" and "lucrative" career. I have clients who come to me with a dramatic change like that, such as the female chiropractor who sold her practice after seven years to pursue acting, writing, and directing film. Then there was the cancer researcher with a Ph.D. in chemistry who told me, "I can't stand it anymore. I want to be an actress." Even though she was on burn-out from working non-stop in the laboratory, I told her not to quit her day-job, and start engaging her creative side more. She could balance her calendar by going to the theatre once a month and taking some acting classes to begin opening the door to new creative opportunities. Creative people are in their "right" mind.

How many of us are practicing in what our college major was? Have we forgotten our dreams? When we were children, did we freely express our aspirations through our play? Or did we have parents that stifled us from expressing our true nature and desires?

Most of my clients are in mid-life or have been downsized. What happened? Some say, "I was only going to sell life insurance for 6 months, and 20 years later, here I am. I forgot my dreams."

Creative Talent Development is the Northwest's foremost professional career consulting firm specializing in the entertainment/media industry. I'm talking about helping clients find one's passion and persevering to achieve it.

Oh yes, our passion changes somewhat with age and experience, but it began at a very young age, which we so carelessly forgot or our parents diminished. Fight for your true calling. Don't neglect that "still quiet voice" inside you begging to "let me out! Let me out!" that is the "voice of fulfillment." It simply does not go away…unless we respectfully begin to honor these God-given gifts, or "who we truly are." Match the deepest desire of your heart with the thing you are doing, and choose to do it!

Now, it's not as easy as you think! Here come the "joysuckers" (the obstacles we face):

Have you heard or said these? Those who abandon their dreams will discourage yours. Oh, they like to put you down because they're really afraid to break from their stable, secure life and risk the challenge of choosing "life" not death. They are the "walking dead" in their corporate jobs, blaming others for their unhappiness, wrapped in their own personal fears, and also intimidated by your new-found courage and freedom. Beware of the "joysuckers™" ! (By the way, we ourselves can be our own worst "joysucker™!") Knowledge and skills aren't the problem. How we think, and our willingness to change is. The bottome line is "guts." Don't quit!
Creative Talent Development can develop a unique plan to change your dreams into reality. First, by assessing your desires and aspirations: ie: Do you ever stay to watch the film credits after a movie? Do you ever say, "I could do that." Watching actors on a sitcom? Do you sing in the shower? Do you want to go beyond high school plays? Did you role-play as a child? Do you have ideas for writing a film or a commercial? Want to be a Steven Spielberg? What is your hidden dream?

All your skills are transferable if you know what you like or who you are. Let's look at your job resume and experience, find out the appropriate steps to get in this industry (without being misled by the scams), select the right training, acquire marketing tools and connections and how to get experience.

As Woody Allen, says, "90% of life is just showing up." Networking, brain-picking… Give yourself permission to explore this as an option and risk trying something new. It's all part of the creative adventure: Pick a start date, plant your seed, nurture and feed it daily, protect your seed from the "joysuckers" by using slug bait religiously, and watch what your seed becomes. A rose? A dandelion? A tulip? That's the adventure!

Seattle is the third largest talent pool in the nation. Talent scouts come to search our incredible theatres. We shoot national car commercials here because of our scenery locations. We also produce many independent films, CDs, and corporate/educational videos.

Here are some specific guidelines: First, stay in Seattle to build your experience, knowledge and connections before moving to the bigger market like L.A. Develop your niche. Second, get training from reputable instructors. Learn your craft and build a strong resume. Third, you don't need a portfolio to be an actor or a model. One great headshot by an industry photographer is necessary for actors. Fourth, first-impressions are critical. Don't pursue an agent too soon. There is strategy involved in getting rightly connected to the "A" players. Fifth, don't be misled by industry scams. Don't pay any school or agency up front to get you work. There are plenty of unscrupulous people who prey on wannabe actors, models, writers, etc. (especially teens!!)

Take personal responsibility to risk expressing your potential. Maybe we can't all be Beethoven, but we can all make music! Go find what makes your heart sing!!

FIGHT FOR PASSION

It's Not Too Late: Fight For Your Passion