Are You A Pleasure to Work With? Take This Quiz
Your answers just might horrify you
Whether you’re a performer, writer, or artist, much of your success will depend on how much other people like working with you.
It’s nice to imagine that the entertainment business is a meritocracy, where only the talented succeed. But that’s not how it works.
Here’s a primer on talent.
Given this caveat, it’s true that a spectacular talent does occasionally burst on the scene and attract a bounty of opportunities.
Those opportunities dry up fast if the spectacular talent turns out to be a diva.
The “talented” only get special treatment in the business if they’re also a pleasure to work with. Only then are they ushered through the cordons by a tuxedoed concierge into a veritable VIP lounge awash in fuck-you money.
Here’s a simple, five-question quiz to assess whether you are (or would be) a pleasure to work with in the entertainment business:
When you contact someone in the business, what do you do?
a. Ask them to look at your work.
b. Demonstrate your abilities, and then ask them to look at your work.
c. Ask for an opportunity to work with them and make your case.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
When you attend an industry meeting with a creative executive, how do you behave?
a. Politely.
b. All-business, so you don’t waste their valuable time.
c. Refuse to accept a refreshment because you don’t want to be a bother.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
When you attend an industry party and meet a fellow talent or an executive, how do you behave?
a. Politely.
b. All-business, so you don’t waste their valuable time.
c. Like a partying fool.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
When you work with someone on a creative project, how do you treat them?
a. Appropriately and respectfully, like a professional colleague.
b. Like a creative partner, with plenty of suggestions and ideas.
c. Stand up for yourself and always demand fair treatment.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
When you interact with anyone inside or outside the entertainment business, how do you behave?
a. Reclusively, to maintain your allure.
b. Secretively, to maintain your mystery.
c. Depends on their level of importance in the business.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
Answers: 1: e, 2: e, 3: e, 4: d, 5: e
Look for a full explanation of the answers in tomorrow’s post.
Have fun out there!
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