“If they won’t share the script...it’s normally because there’s something they’re trying to hide from you. So that would be a huge red flag.”
- Valerie Jane Parker, Actor
During our conversation with our friend in filmmaking, Valerie Jane Parker, Valerie took a moment to provide a warning to actors about the importance of having access to a script before taking a part. She reminds us that, even though the opportunity may be attractive because of the character, the pay, or even the team, the script is what defines the expectations around what you will need to do to bring that character to life.
So what could someone be hiding? Well, a number of things:
Political, religious, or social agenda
Level and type of physicality and intimacy
Use of language
Political, religious, or social agendas
Before taking a part, it’s important to know the voice of the filmmaker. Every film has an underlying purpose (or agenda) associated with it. Sometimes that agenda jumps off the page, other times it is peppered in with subtle nuance. Either way, it is important for you to know what that agenda is and determine whether or not you want to be associated with it. Even though it may just be a part you’re playing, by accepting the part, you are promoting the agenda.
Level and type of physicality and intimacy
Acting can demand a lot from a person whether those demands are mental, emotional, physical, or all of the above. You have to be prepared for these demands by understanding the expectations of the character you are considering to play. By reading the script, you’ll be better equipped to determine whether or not you are willing or able to meet these expectations. Blindly accepting a part can not only compromise your values, but it can also compromise your physical health and well-being.
Use of language
Words have great power. They can uplift, inspire, and motivate but they can also divide, discourage, and dishearten. As an actor, you are your brand. Every part you play is a reflection of your brand and how the world gets to see you. The words that come out of your mouth, whether in real life or on film, define other people’s perception of who you are and what you stand for. Make sure that every part you play uses language that is on brand for you and the career that you are trying to build. If you can’t see the script, you can’t see its impact on your brand.
The devil is in the details
When determining whether or not a role is right for you, the devil is in the details and the details are in the script. Choosing a part that aligns you with the wrong ideals, values, or principles can be detrimental to your career in the long run. Anyone who hides these details from you is willing to risk your long-term success for their short-term gain. Buyer Beware!
A big thanks goes out to Valerie Jane Parker for her words of wisdom. Her positive spirit is infectious and we have been truly blessed by her presence in our lives. We look forward to continuing to be a part of her amazing journey and will leave her an open invitation to the podcast anytime she wants to drop by.
As always,
Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.
Updated: Jul 21, 2021
"I told myself [that] for five to seven years I wasn't going to push super hard to be a writer outside of doing my own stuff on the side...and I would just master and build this community for five to seven years and it really paid off for me."
- Rasheena Nash, Writer
Rasheena has always been dedicated to building her craft and to pursuing her dream of being a writer, but she also knew that there was no straight line to success. Having wisdom well beyond her years, she sought out opportunities to be great at whatever role she was afforded to play even if it didn't resemble her dream job. She knew that her excellence would be noticed and that it would continue to afford her new opportunities to show her talents. Through hard work, dedication to her craft, and the growth of a strong network, she landed her dream job with Disney and is now writing for Raven's Home...all within her five to seven year plan.
This is a lesson that all filmmakers who aspire to be a part of something greater should learn early in their careers: The job you want isn't going to be given to you based on your talent; it's going to be earned based on your value.
Here's something to think about: There are 365 days in a year. That means that Rasheena's plan was based on the understanding that she would not achieve her goal for 1,825 to 2,555 days. She knew that she would have to provide nearly 2,000 days of ever-increasing value to various industry gatekeepers if she was ever to reach her ultimate goal. Not many people are willing to make that commitment and that's why many people never find success.
What's needed is a dedication to the process of becoming great. This process often includes taking the job that's given until you can take the job you ask for. It means that you have to work from the bottom up, prove that you can be trusted with whatever task you're given, build a community of advocates, and leverage your track record to put yourself in new and more impactful positions.
If you're a filmmaker seeking an opportunity to work with the best and the brightest in the industry, take a lesson from Rasheena and start by getting your foot in the door. Just one foot, in any door. If they let you in, be great. Whether it's getting coffee, managing schedules, fixing wardrobes, or assisting a producer or director, you have to be great because being great sets you apart from everyone else. Greatness always shines and it serves as a calling card to others who, like you, are looking to surround themselves will people who will help them get to the next level.
We are so very proud of everything that Rasheena has done over the years and are excited to see what she will do next. We hope that her journey can be an example to you and to anyone else in the industry trying to make their mark.
As always,
Be Better. Be Creative. Be Engaged.
In this episode, Chris and Jason continue their conversation from last week and get to the heart of the other three "Why's" of film investment.
About the MAKE IT Podcast The MAKE IT podcast is a platform for the voice of independent filmmaker. We offer a variety of educational, aspirational, and entertaining content that promotes the success of creatives across the filmmaking community and the film industry. Our Filmmaker Conversations with industry professionals are dedicated to sharing the advice, knowledge, and insights of experienced filmmakers while exploring what it truly means to be an independent creative in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Each filmmaker conversation is backed by thoughtful research that allows us to uncover the raw, authentic truths behind each filmmaker's journey. Through our Indie Talks, we share our thoughts and perspectives on navigating independent film from the perspective of Advisory and Executive Producers. We discuss topics that are relevant to filmmakers across a wide spectrum of filmmaking perspectives, and we do our best to uncover hidden truths and new developments in the film industry. Our goal is to help filmmakers avoid the pitfalls and obstacles on the business side of film so that their filmmaking creativity can thrive. Our Industry Insights provide bite-sized actionable advice that filmmaking professionals and creatives of all kinds can use to keep their heads up as they continue their filmmaking journeys. With advice sourced from the filmmaking community, we build upon the wisdom of our filmmaking guests to provide our audience with truly aspirational and inspirational content. The Mistakes in the Making series gives our filmmaking friends an opportunity to speak directly to our filmmaking audience to share a specific lesson they've learned through a mistake they've made. We are firm believers that mistakes can be the gateway to success when we open our hearts and minds to learning from them, sharing them, and using them to Be Better. The Film Investment series is a conversational series of 52 episodes geared towards the would-be film investor. Each episode, facilitated via a friendly conversation between hosts and friends Christopher Barkley and Jason McConnell, highlights a unique aspect of the film investment process. In addition to being a great resource for film investors, it serves as a reference for filmmakers regarding the many considerations that must be made when seeking film investment.