More Thanks and Giving Please
by Jodie Bentley
This year has flown by. As the leaves fall and the holidays approach, look back on this year and examine all there is to be grateful for. NYC is a fast-paced crazy town and so is our profession! Sometimes weeks will go by and I'll realize what happened to the 'let's get together for coffee!' that I was trying to plan a few week ago, or I'll recall a voicemail I completely forgot to respond to. Life intrudes. Auditions are scheduled work gets booked. Thanksgiving time reminds us what is important. And what is important is to be grateful for what you have and every person and experience that has aided your life.
Showing appreciation to our family and friends, that's sort of a given around the holidays. But what about that casting director who booked you on your first voice over, or that director you just worked with who you loved, or your agent who believes in you, or that casting office that always calls you in? Take the time to thank people, truly thank people, for being in your life. You might have heard us say this before, but all the people in this industry are just people. People love to be thanked and feel they made a difference and acknowledged for what they do. Most of us only reach out to the industry when we want something - come to my show, or can I get seen on that project, or think of me, or I want an interview because I need new representation. All that is understandable, it is our business. But take your business to a new level and show your team, your contacts, your support system, your fans that you are grateful for them and wish them luck in what they are doing. Human kindness goes a long way and is not forgotten.
Last month I started working with a new agent. Do you know how that relationship started? I met him at a University showcase I was attending this past April. We started chatting and realized we met years ago when he was an assistant at a different agency. The next day I sent him a card, just saying how nice it was to see him again, and best luck in the new agency he had recently started working with. I ran into him again a few weeks later, and the first thing he said was 'Thank you for the card, that was really sweet!'. In September I sent him a card inviting him to my NYMF show. He called me right away to reserve a ticket, and now we are working together. But it started with a card, a gesture of gratitude and good luck.
So, as the holidays approach plant your seeds. Make a list of the casting directors you see a lot, and people you've met at networking events that you just really liked, and anyone that would you would like to show your appreciation towards and send them a card, an email, a small gift, whatever rings true to you. But reach out and be thankful. That is the way to move forward in life and enjoy this period of Thanks Giving.
