Lately, when working on set, I've found that not only do a lot of actors like to talk about themselves (that's inevitable....and I've gotten used to it.....plus I'm sure I do it myself to a certain degree) but they talk over me when I start talking about the business or completely discredit what I say. This is without asking me any questions about myself, my past, what I've done, where I've studied etc. It's gotten to a point where I just sit back, relax, and watch someone dish out exaggerated or inaccurate information to another naive actor. Sometimes another actor will sit down and talk to me about what I should do with my life before even asking me how I've gotten to where I've gotten and where I'm currently at! It's extremely rude and condescending!
The other day a fairly successful actor friend of mine (fairly successful meaning has had multiple guest star roles on network television shows) that I look up to, vented on Facebook because she was having trouble making all her auditions AND paying her bills. A totally validated rant because it's one of the hardest things for us actors to do and something I'm currently unable to do. One of her friends wrote underneath her post that she should "learn from her peers" and that THEY don't "pay to play" (she never mentioned that in her post) and auditioned regularly for all network shows.
I'm sure this individual only meant to help my friend but they completely ignored her post and unknowingly put themselves above her!
Moral of this blog post! Start listening to other people! Really listening! You could actually learn from someone else. If you're not willing to listen and think you are better than someone or know more than another person.....just shut up and don't talk until you are asked a question because no one likes being talked down to!
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