My Character Was Killed Off. Is My Profession Useless?
Expensive Remy,
I at all times knew my character could be killed off.
Once I took on the position of patriarch in a status drama sequence, the manufacturing firm was very clear that the person I’d be enjoying had an expiry date. I assumed nothing of it on the time—reflecting as an alternative on how properly the producers communicated. Colleagues of mine have been knowledgeable of the dying of their characters by studying about it within the sides that script runners delivered to their trailers. No less than I didn’t uncover the particular person I used to be enjoying would meet a grisly finish in entrance of an acne-ridden movie college graduate who’s been persistently getting my espresso order unsuitable.
So it took me unexpectedly after we filmed my ultimate scenes for the present, and I felt grief. I do know it is not sensible. However after I was invited to the edit to look at my ultimate episode, I can solely describe it as like an out-of-body expertise. Besides as an alternative of hovering above myself a la Patrick Swayze in Ghost, I used to be in a soft viewing suite in West Hollywood confronted with my autopsy face in 4k.
To make issues worse, I’m usually approached by followers who appear shocked to find me alive. “I assumed you had been useless!” they’ll exclaim, or counsel I’m ‘again from the grave.’ One particular person even requested me if they may gown up as a reanimated zombie model of my character for Halloween. I do know it’s all meant in jest, however the jokes depart me unsettled.
Remy—am I only a narcissist, or is there one thing extra at play right here? I’m over 70 now with extra wrinkles than after I signed on to this job. I must deal with discovering the following position—not grieving the final!
Sincerely,
Loss of life Benumbs Him
Expensive Loss of life Benumbs Him,
It could be regular for any actor to expertise a way of loss as one position involves a really definitive finish. However a full existential disaster (the likes of which you seem like having) is one thing else.
Maybe the clue to what’s actually happening right here is in your ultimate sentence. Few roles are written for actors of their 70s. Is it that you’re grieving your previous, and, in very sensible phrases, frightened for the long run?
The common life expectancy within the U.S. is 76 for males and 81 for girls. But we like to fake that dying is one thing that solely occurs to different folks. And we’ll get to listen to about it within the ‘In Memoriam’ part of the following awards ceremony as a choral model of a Billie Eilish tune performs.
Alternatively, the truth that a human life is roughly 1,000 months is one thing we overlook. Why not think about that you simply’re 95 years outdated, sitting in a stupendous spot. You are feeling like your life has been a hit. What was the one factor that you simply achieved that permits you to assume this? The reply to this query is your true objective.
And when the following particular person comes as much as you telling you they ‘thought you had been useless,’ why not play alongside? How unbelievable wouldn’t it be if you happen to had been again from the useless—having one other probability at a life that you simply thought had been reduce quick? Ponder your self with the form of marvel that will enable—wrinkles and all.
Illustration by Russ Tudor
Will My Niceness Sink My Hollywood Profession?
Expensive Remy,
Is it potential to be too good in Hollywood?
I’m a growth exec at a studio specializing in serialized drama. Simply recently, an rising quantity of my time is spent studying unsolicited scripts from mates, friends-of-friends, and even friends-of-moms-of-pastors-of-friends-of-cats-of-neighbors-of-friends.
It looks as if everybody fancies themselves a author and is satisfied their one thought goes to be the one to make Hollywood’s collective jaws drop. I believe I’ve heard each iteration of an apocalypse plot (together with one the place Affected person Zero was a WWE wrestler and one other set aboard a fleet of jet skis), and don’t get me began on individuals who assume they’re the brand new M. Night time Shyamalan!
However for all my may, I can’t discover a solution to be trustworthy with people. I spend hours going forwards and backwards with wannabe writers giving suggestions on their romance film—the one they assume is the brand new ‘Pocket book’ however wouldn’t arise on the Hallmark channel. The corporate CEO is getting impatient with me. That being stated, he additionally requested me the opposite day if I’d take a look at his niece’s warfare epic.
I really feel like a script Jedi—heading off pages from all angles. I’ve been saying sure to folks for thus lengthy, how can I flip issues round?
From,
Life’s a Pitch
Expensive Life’s a Pitch,
You’ve raised a elementary query that many in Hollywood grapple with: are you able to be too good in an trade that usually rewards the other?
The explanation everybody involves your door is since you’ve made your self approachable and welcoming — qualities which are admirable however make it arduous to set boundaries. Keep in mind, you’re not Betty Crocker, and you may’t probably cater to everybody who reveals up.
Right here’s some sensible recommendation on the right way to handle your priorities higher:
1. Set Clear Boundaries: Politely however firmly let folks know that your major focus should be in your present initiatives. Create an ordinary response for unsolicited scripts.
2. Prioritize Your Work: Your job is in danger if you happen to don’t focus in your most important tasks. Allocate particular instances to assessment scripts from acquaintances.
3. Talk Truthfully: Begin being trustworthy in regards to the high quality of the scripts you obtain. It’s kinder in the long term to present constructive suggestions slightly than false hope.
4. Restrict Entry: Politely decline requests which are outdoors your capability. You may humorously counsel they work immediately with M. Night time Shyamalan in the event that they’re satisfied they’ve the following massive twist!
Hollywood isn’t at all times the friendliest place, however having a component of kindness isn’t a foul factor. Simply guarantee it’s balanced with assertiveness to guard your time and power.
Hold your kindness, however wield it properly. You’re doing the trade a favor by filtering out what doesn’t work and specializing in what does.
Your ally in script choice,
Remy
My Filtered Photograph Fiasco
Expensive Remy,
I’m being lambasted by the press on each side of the Atlantic—only for enhancing a photograph of myself.
Once I married right into a well-known household, I used to be wholly ready to have my life placed on show for public consumption. I seen it as a contract—I’d be sorted, and in return, the lots would personal me.
However just lately, I needed to take a couple of months’ relaxation following a medical process (nothing critical. On a scale of bunion elimination to coronary heart bypass, it was nearer to bunion elimination).
Quite than let me disappear from view, my publicist insisted on my sharing an informal selfie throughout my restoration. I wasn’t wanting my greatest, so I used the ‘Princess AI’ filter and lickety-split, uploaded the photograph.
All hell broke unfastened. Spools of unsupportive feedback leaked throughout my web page. I used to be known as ‘trout lips’ and ‘Botox Betty,’ and one netizen stated she had seen higher wax creations in Yankee Candle. What’s worse: a number of articles have arisen, linking my public profile to the rise of physique dysmorphia in teenagers.
The one and solely time I used to be papped with out make-up at my native grocery retailer, a couple of years again, everybody stated I should be ‘doing a Britney circa 2008’… now I take advantage of a filter, they’re saying I’m inauthentic.
Expensive Remy, I’m questioning my very own sanity. Is that this my downside, an trade downside, or a societal downside?
Sincerely,
Filter Face
Expensive Filter Face,
What a whirlwind you’re caught in! First, let me guarantee you, the concept that one has to look flawless to be valued shouldn’t be unique to Hollywood—it’s a common wrestle. From schmaltzy motion pictures with grease on the digital camera lens (the ‘unique’ filter), to as we speak’s influencers with groups swiping away blemishes like flies, we’ve all been bought on immaculate seems to be being the norm.
It’s no marvel then that your filtered photograph has stirred such a response. In actuality, your face has change into a canvas for society’s unprocessed fears—our anxieties about being “adequate,” getting old, and retaining price. When it’s as simple to filter our faces as it’s to change on the oven (although I counsel towards complicated the 2), the strains between authenticity and artifice blur.
As for the physique dysmorphia issues, it’s essential to acknowledge the influence that media can have on impressionable minds. By being clear about using filters, you may counterbalance a few of the destructive results. Encourage your followers to embrace their pure selves and search assist in the event that they wrestle with physique picture points.
Your good friend within the fickle discipline of fame,
Remy
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Remy Blumenfeld is a veteran TV producer and founding father of Vitality Guru, which gives enterprise and profession teaching to excessive performers in media. Ship queries to: guru@vitality.guru.
Questions edited by Sarah Mills.