Happiness in Hollywood: A Personal Perspective

Working in a field plagued with inconsistent jobs, long hours and constant rejection is not the life most people would choose. In entertainment, becoming famous or even financially successful is extremely rare, but still countless individuals join the industry every day. As with any competitive business, the majority of one’s profession is spent climbing the ladder, slipping here and there, maybe getting back on and seldom making it to the top. Life in this industry can be draining and as someone who desires a career in film and television, I have regularly asked myself if I could lead a joyful life in a constant clamber. Inspired by This I Believe, a media project that is "engaging millions of people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives," I will present my philosophy on living, learning and happiness in such a tumultuous industry. This personal post meant to help readers understand the focus of my blog.

Individuals often join entertainment with the motive of award shows, parties, fame and riches. Although these are elements of the industry, very few get to revel in them. The typical actor spends the days driving in traffic from audition to audition, paying for classes and headshots (like my commercial one shown to the left), looking for agents and rarely making money. In fact, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the average member of the Screen Actor’s Guild makes less than $5000 per year. Is this the way someone wants to live? American author Annie Dillard once said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” I believe that the key to enjoying life is enjoying our days and in the case of an actor, enjoying the climb. If I did not love the process, I could never be happy as an actress. I look at auditions as opportunities to create, to play. Every screen test is a performance; every class is a chance to invent. A passion for the craft is what drives me. If acting were a chore, the joy would be lost.

Actors tend to have an innate interest in the human condition, a desire for a new perspective. Natalie Portman, seen to the right, is an actress that I greatly admire. She has incredible intelligence and versatility that is brought to nearly every character she portrays. Portman wisely stated, "I'm going to college. I don't care if it ruins my career. I'd rather be smart than a movie star." I see education as vital to understanding human behavior, the core of acting. I believe life is a constant motion that will lead me where I am meant to be. The key is to go in the direction I want to go, but let life take its course. For many, entertainment is a gateway, starting there then moving to an entirely new field. Some, like casting director Lonnie Hamerman, start with acting only to discover a love for a related career. Others just continue the climb. Its important to stay open change. As author Anais Nin describes it, “Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” In this field, artists continue to grow and learn with each project and each battle that they face. When I decided that I wanted to enter this field, I tried to convince myself that there were more lucrative, stable professions that I should pursue. However my mother wisely advised, “You at least have to try, or you’ll always regret it.” I believe everyone should start at their passion and see where it leads them. This prevents wondering what might have happened and creates contentment in the chosen path.

As people make their way through this grueling business (and many eventually abandon it), there are always others who seem miles ahead. Being content with my stage in the journey is a particular challenge, letting jealousy and competition affect my enjoyment in the profession. But I have found that celebrating each triumph in my personal climb helps combat these evils and no matter how small the victory, knowing that I am moving forward while growing and learning creates a self-worth and a positive perspective. By embracing these accomplishments instead of belittling them in comparison to others, my days and outlook are brighter. In an industry overflowing with obstacles and hardships, learning to truly enjoy the process is the best way to enjoy the life.

Brand Beckham: Scheduled to Hit the U.S. in Summer 2007

Last week NBC announced that Victoria Beckham, former Spice Girl and wife to famous “footballer” David Beckham, will be starring in her own reality show coming this summer (the couple can be seen in this photo to the right). The television program will highlight her move from London to Los Angeles in six half-hour episodes, reported Michael Janofsky in Bloomberg. Producing the show is 19 Entertainment, a company run by American Idol creator and Beckham family manager Simon Fuller. Fuller is also a key negotiator in David’s $250 million deal with the Galaxy, Los Angeles’ Major League Soccer team. David is anticipated to start playing this July, conveniently close to Victoria’s expected reality television premier. “Brand Beckham,” as the pair is called in London, can arguably be considered Britain’s most watched celebrity couple, but are lesser known in the U.S. Victoria’s show offers the perfect introduction, not to mention being a tremendous marketing move for selling both the duo and Major League Soccer (MLS) in the states.

After a successful music career as “Posh Spice” in the 1990’s group The Spice Girls, Victoria is now focusing on clothing design, says People Magazine. Much of the star's show is expected to emphasize her break into the American fashion industry. The program will offer enormous publicity for Victoria's book released last October, That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between, as well as her fashion line DVB Style, which currently carries sunglasses, and perfume. March 1st, only a day after NBC’s announcement of the celebrity's show, DVB revealed that Victoria will be selling her own line of denim with pieces to hit stores in June 2007 and the entire collection to drop in September. Aaron O. Patrick quotes In Touch Magazine editor Michelle Lee in his Wall Street Journal article: “I imagine our coverage of Posh is definitely going to increases....She's maybe in once a month or every six weeks now. She's a very hot topic when it comes to her body.” Victoria, who is often criticized for being too skinny, is seen here with good friend Katie Holmes. Star power is a tremendous asset in the world of fashion, so entering the States with a bang is an incredibly smart decision. Six episodes all about Victoria will surely leave people wanting more, making the Beckhams the center of attention.

“Posh and Becks” are not the only ones benefiting from their star-studded entrance. The more attention they get, the more publicity there is for Major League Soccer. Some have said that the Galaxy paid too much money for Beckham, but what is the price of single handedly saving a sport? This is what MLS is hoping Beckham will do. Though it is the number one game in many parts of the world, soccer falls short in U.S. popularity; the website USA travel does not even mention it in their sports section. MLS is hoping Beckham will bring the game mainstream. He is the most known footballer for non-soccer enthusiasts in the States due to his celebrity marriage and the 2002 film Bend it Like Beckham (David is shown to the right in his Real Madrid uniform, with oldest son Brooklyn). People already interested in the sport will be drawn to witness the famous player in action, while others will be intrigued to see what the fuss is about, not to mention get a glimpse of Posh’s handsome husband.

Even before last week’s announcement of their reality television show, Beckham’s arrival has proven advantageous to MLS, says Grahame L. Jones of the Los Angeles Times. Since the news of his future arrival, season ticket sales for all MLS teams have spiked, not just the LA Galaxy, and for the first time in league history all soccer games will be televised, the majority of them nationally. The schedule has been set to make the most of the league's investment, ensuring nearly all the teams host the Galaxy at least once. MLS Commissioner Don Garber says in Patrick’s article “Having David play in the most commercially robust market in the world clearly is going to present a real opportunity to generate significant income.” The more America sees Beckham’s face, the more attention the league will receive. David has sponsorship deals with Adidas and Gillette and both are expected to use him in more U.S. advertisements. Having Beckham play for the Galaxy is like a celebrity endorsement. Paige Montgomery, of Paige Denim told USC students that having a star wear a pair of her jeans is worth millions of dollars in advertising. So perhaps having David play is like $250 million worth of promotion for Major League Soccer.

Coming this summer with a reality television show, endorsements, new fashion line and touring soccer star, the new kids on the block are set to put their stamp on the States. The British superpower known as “Brand Beckham” is entering an entirely new market, but with these incredible assets and friends like TomKat, one can expect that the pair will do just fine.