Okay, granted there are the givens that help one stand out: talent, taste, connections, money, good looks — but what if it was a level playing field?
Are there things that you can put into practice that will help positively separate you from the pack of other hungry artists trying to cement a place for yourself in the field that you love? Since all of you have helped me with your conversation, appreciation, and general involvement, I wanted to do something that might aid you to get to where you want to go.
The following are some quick thoughts as to what things might quickly make others take notice of you, remember you, or give you some deserved respect. I am eager to hear other suggestions too. There are probably one hundred ideas like these, and I think it’s time we all started sharing.
- Know what you like. That is, know what you like beyond the stuff that you like just because you made it, or want to make it, or think you can make it. Understand what you appreciate and why you appreciate it. It is a lot of work to become articulate about creative endeavors, but those communication skills are prized and praised — and surprisingly rare. I am still waiting for someone to provide me with their alternative to my list 32 Qualities Of Better Film. Get to it!
- Know your story. That is, know not just the story you want to tell, or help tell, but know the story of you and how to tell it. In order to get work done, people need to want to work with you, and they need to explain to others why they should also want to work with you. Mastering your story or stories should be a goal. To keep your story evolving is one of the practices I recommend most.
- Be heavily engaged in social media. I know I sound a bit like a broken record on this point, but… We have not yet even seen the true impact of being part of a large, vibrant, and heavily engaged social media community will have on a work,
