Hello all,
It's mid-January and it's pretty cold outside.
Shouldn't complain. After all there isn't any snow on the ground and the temperatures are pretty balmy (+2C, 35F). By now, Toronto should be covered with snow and temps should range in the "wow honey, there's a bit of nip in the air" kinda cold. But it isn't and depending on who you are, that's either good or bad. But that's another topic altogether.
It's been a couple of months since I wrapped up the Nuit Blanche travel video for Lonely Planet. I'm looking forward to putting together another vid about Ice Wine in February. Hopefully there will be a good stock of ice wine this year. It's been warmer. Ice wine tends to work when it's colder outside but...well....re-read the first paragraph if you have to.
In-between developing travel docs and writing restaurant reviews and going to the occasional audition, which are great opportunities by-the-way, I can't help but feel under-stimulated, if that's even a word.
I'm inspired. I'm motivated. I'm ready to put together and work on any project presented to me.
But there are days where that inspiration and feeling of failure consumes me. I won't lie. It sucks.
Being in the Television industry really has been a roller coaster ride, especially since the Recession took hold and networks started to cut costs left and right. That was September 2008. It's now January 2010. There are still good days and plenty of bad. A ray of hope is followed by several days of feeling rejected and a failure. It's tough. Tough to pay my rent and tough to stay positive. Although my savings are quickly being depleted and moving back home is probably the easiest solution, something tells me things will work out.
But for every bit of good news, there is bad news. And as much as I hear that the economy is recovering and things are picking up again in the television industry, news comes down that City TV has just let-go dozens of people, including several prominent members of the on-air crew in Toronto. Take a look at the article.
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/753004--anne-mroczkowski-among-citytv-layoffs
Anne in particular has been at the network for a very long time, Laura and Pam as well. To think that a network would decide to make that kind of experience expendable is mind-boggling...to a point. I understand it's a business. I understand that costs have to be made and I'm sure the people doing the firing didn't want to do it. I get it. But what that also tells me is that credibility and merit don't mean very much. You do your job. You're supposed to love your job. You're supposed to be passionate about the network that pays your bills. You give your heart and everything else you have into a company that, when it comes down to it, decides to let you go anyway. I guess it's like every relationship. There has to be a time when the party ends. I get that too.
But what do these constant layoffs and restructuring plans say about the future of Broadcasters? What does that say to the student who's learning how to be an on-air personality, producer? If people like Anne, Laura and Pam can get let go just like that, everyone is vulnerable. That fact has always been prevalent.
I've been in the Media industry for just over ten years and I've had a great run. I take pride in having the chance to learn and take part in some pretty amazing events and have unforgetable experiences. But this type of news really forces me to look at other industries and learn more about getting OUT of the television industry. I've always said that Broadcasting is like Acting but with a bit more consistency. I'm re-thinking that theory.
You have to adapt to the changes around you. I've done that. I've re-evaluated my strengths and weaknesses and proceeded from there. I've learned how to do many things with my time off and hopefully one day in the near future, it will pay off somewhere. I've had a few interviews and a few leads. But still no job that pays me a consistent amount on a consistent basis.
I call what I'm going through a constant erection. There's always stimulation but very little release. There are interviews and networking events, but no job...yet.
Someone once said: "Failure builds Character. I have enough Character".
It's true in every way. I'm ready to work. Now!
