Hello I hope you’re doing well! This week I’ll be sharing a little writing snippet. A disclaimer is that it’s not as positive as I try to be in this space! But oh well, here we go!
The Industry Will Never Love You
The industry will never love you.
If anything in this life is incapable of loving, is it the performing industry. Yes, the industry is made up of individuals who are most likely capable of love, but when joined together, they create a money machine made completely of stone that is incapable of feeling or expressing love.
We walk on loveless streets. Hard and cold and gravelly. The canopy of steel buildings makes sure the sun can only peek through from time to time. You might catch a glimpse of it, but do not mistake this for love.
My phone rings at 9:47am. “Would you be able to get here around 10 for some pre-production?”
Of course!
I mean, I’m only about 100 blocks away. 13 minutes? No biggie. I could surely do my makeup on the subway down, right? And I can just throw on the dirty dance clothes squashed at the bottom of my 70 pound backpack. Never mind the fact that I’m currently clocked in at my job that pays me money. But hey, this is big! Pre-Pro means networking and getting to meet important people and learn important dances, I can’t miss this opportunity. My boss and coworkers will understand! And they do.
After 20 minutes of absolute chaos, I find myself in the room. Waiting. After a while:
“Hey sorry, we actually have enough bodies for the day.”
Bodies?
To some, we’re only bodies. The size of your waist. The color of your hair. Your height. The font you use on your resume. The background color of your headshot. The shirt that makes your collarbones pop. Is this all I am? Is this all we are? Is this how art is made?
“No worries, thanks for thinking of me!”
And just like that, I’ve traded in 3 hours of paid work at my job for what would have been unpaid labor. But instead, I micro-dosed humiliation.
The industry will never love you.
The New York City streets will find a way to remind you of the bone-chilling cold even in the summertime. The holding rooms will be filled with girls who did their make up at 6am in hopes of auditioning, but will not be seen. The auditor will ask you to cut your 32-bar song to 8-bars the moment before you open your mouth to sing.
In these trying times, it is imperative that you find joy within yourself and your community. Sitting in the park with a book. Eating at your favorite restaurant. Going out dancing. Whatever you find within yourself, hold it tightly.
The industry will never love you. But you can find love within yourself.
Heyyyyy how are you this piece isn’t meant to be angry, more of a statement of facts surrounded by some interesting observations. This topic has been rattling around in my mind for a while so there it is. Hope it didn’t harsh the vibe too much. More positivity next week!🤪
Value your time this week <3
xoxoxo
Yasmyn
Thank you for showing up authentically! The more we can love ourselves, the better off we’ll be at everything we do!
Yasmina you are loved.