People First: The Key to Work Relationships

It’s no surprise that representation can do wonders for one’s career.  I mean, after all, these are the people that help get you opportunities for quality work.  But they can be quite more than that if you build the relationship right.  Over time, that relationship can blossom into a rewarding friendship which counts for so much more.

I am so blessed to be working with Bob Blume at Step Forward Entertainment.  He is my manager who quickly turned into a friend.  We will often talk on football Sunday and debate which New York team is doing worse.  It’s an awesome relationship that I don’t hear about a lot in this business.  It is unfortunate when I hear people talk negatively about their representation.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are some agents and managers that could do a better job, but it’s up to us as the talent to be proactive.  Get to know the people that represent you on a personal level.  Form a bond with them and I guarantee you it will be a much more fulfilling relationship.  

These are tools you can honestly use with anyone in any field.  This is something that was taught to me by my mentor and it has made a huge difference in my life.  After all, it is much more lonely living as an island than working with a team.

My Happy Place

Everyone needs an escape from time to time.  Some people like to shop.  Some people like to watch movies.  Some people like to play video games.  For me, my escape is professional wrestling.  For the longest time, it was originally watching TV and movies, but now things have changed.  Don’t get me wrong, I still love to watch TV and movies, but the process is different for me now.  As an actor, whenever I watch something, I am watching from an actor/producer standpoint.  In a way, it’s work because I am using this as an opportunity to study and learn.  So now when I need a mental escape, I turn to WWE.

I have been a fan of professional wrestling ever since I was a little kid.  The first match I ever saw was Bret Hart vs. The British Bulldog at SummerSlam 1992.  From that point on I was hooked.  I remember collecting the action figures when I was little and creating my own shows.  Yes, I was a little wrestling nerd.  To this day, I’ll still go to the shows when I have time and they are in town.  For me today, it is just a great way to tune out and enjoy.  I know I will never be a professional wrestler, so when I watch it’s just a chance for me to turn my mind off.  That time is so valuable to me because most of the week my mind is always working.  I’m always thinking of ways to advance my career and to find opportunities for BBR Productions.  But for those couple of hours, when WWE is on, all of that shuts off and I feel refreshed.

For those who feel they are overloaded with work and are stressed, I highly suggest finding some sort of escape.  Keep in mind, the brain is a muscle and all muscles eventually need some rest.  Doing this will help you regroup mentally in order to stay on top of your game.  After all, even Happy Gilmore needed to find his “happy place”!

 

 

Breaking Down “The Circle”

Marc Chouen tells us about “The Circle” and what it means to him.

Confession…

Marc Chouen has a confession to make regarding social media.

Practice Makes Perfect

Marc Chouen talks about how eventually everyone has to back up what they say. Best way to ensure you deliver when that day comes is by practice.

Image Is Everything

I’m sure you hear people talk about image all the time. “Think about your image,” “It’s all about image, “Know your image” are quotes that are often thrown around.  But what does that mean exactly?  I’ll admit, when I first heard this I thought it meant my actual physical image. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg.  When people ask about your image they are really asking about: your brand, your logo, what you represent, and how you are perceived. In business, no matter what it is, this is extremely important to know.

In entertainment image is key.  Before I physically stepped into this world full time, I hired a business consultant.  At one of our first meetings, he challenged me to figure out my image.   What I want to present to others is a classy, sleek image.  I want people to see me as a hardworking professional in entertainment.  This is what I try to portray in all aspects of my image.  If you look at my website, you will see that it has a certain look and feel to it.  That’s not by accident.  I wanted to make sure the design is a direct reflection of who I am.  If what you represent and the public’s perception of you are in sync with each other, that’s a big win.  It is something, though, that you have to monitor and always keep in mind.  The moment you let that slip, it could be bad for business.

I am very thankful to have a business consultant that to this day still helps me with this.  It is something that I am always mindful of.  No matter what I do, where I go, or even on social media, I make sure that my image stays intact.  Remember…image is everything!

Teamwork

Teamwork can be such a wonderful thing, especially when you all have the same vision and drive. It’s a group of individuals, if done right, who can grow to be as close as family. You have each other’s back no matter what, and you’re there to lift each other up when things are down. Most important of all, it’s when there isn’t one person or thing greater than the group.

I feel honored to work with Team Rise Together, a group of people with various backgrounds in entertainment and business. It truly is a selfless group that continuously helps each other. More important, I am proud to call these people friends who I can trust. I know that if I ever need anything in a pinch, I can go to them first. The same thing goes the other way around. There have been numerous times when someone in Team Rise Together reaches out to me, and I’m there in a flash. I am the type of person who loves to help people, and there is no greater gratification than helping a friend in need. I’ve been on a few different teams in the past, but this is the one that I am most proud of.

The beauty of Team Rise Together is that we are still growing. We are far from those exclusive cliques who turn their nose to anyone not involved. If you are a selfless, hard worker who believes in making dreams come true, then we want to work with you. It’s all about strength in numbers. As the saying goes, “Part of the ship, part of the crew.”