Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1538091
C I N E M A A U D I O S O C I E T Y. O R G 45 While psychologists could dig into the topic of human behavior as it pertains to the illusion that is fame, as a layperson, it makes more sense to lean into, or in this case, push back against a mindset that has plagued the entertainment industry for far too long. Imagine a scenario where you're working on the second season of a remake of a TV series that you grew up watching. You've been nominated for and have won a mantle's worth of prestigious awards and the accolades that come along with them. Things are going great! The general public doesn't know you, but by the time you get into a conversation, it inevitably spills out that you have one of the most amazing and rewarding jobs—working in sound. Fast-forward a few years, and your entire world is rocked by a pandemic, followed by a historic strike. You no longer have the consistent union hours you once had and, as a result, risk losing medical insurance for you and your family of dependents. After polling a few colleagues who have experienced similar scenarios like this, most, if not all, agree that a sense of shame was one of the first negative emotions stirred up when job security became an issue after having not been an issue for so long. Sadly, this scenario has been the truth for countless colleagues, some of whom have been secretly delivering your meals or groceries and wouldn't be caught dead being "caught" like Geoffrey Owens. If we pick up from where we left off with Geoffrey, it isn't surprising that he became a meme. It was sickening to witness the cyber bludgeoning of a man who had clearly fallen on hard times and, like anyone else, never considered becoming the center of senseless ridicule and shame. Unlike Geoffrey, most of us work strictly behind the scenes and will never truly know the anguish of handling that highly concentrated level of scrutiny in a short period of time. Still, what makes us flinch and shrink back in terror at the idea of needing to do something other than our "regular" work and being discovered by our colleagues and peers, especially after achieving solid levels of success by industry standards? Sometimes it isn't always about an unhealthy fear of being discovered. We have to look at the industry post strikes as the challenge that it is. Amidst all the uncertainty of Hollywood's continued existence as the "top of the top" of the industry food chain, the work simply isn't in abundance as it once was. Some see having a side hustle as a necessity, while others have considered the actual creative work (mixing, sound design, etc.) as the new side hustle, replacing it with "regular 9 to 5" jobs that pay consistently and have decent benefits. How do we address this stigma and shame head-on in our industry? For starters, we need to talk about it on a case-by- case basis. Remaining open-minded and creative landed me a mostly consistent gig as an audio editor for a prominent podcast. While editorial isn't my ideal focus, I'm quite adept at it. Similarly, a colleague even shared that they're actively and aggressively taking on independent film and television projects of all budget sizes to fill the gaps between union-based work, which comes in a little less than part time these days. Considering all of this, here are some tips and ideas on how to survive and possibly thrive in these very uncertain economic times: Swallow your pride: Accept the fact that you are not alone in this. I know some of the same people you do, and we probably both know a multi-award-winning [insert professional audio role of your choice here] somebody who can't cash in those awards for rent, shelter, or food. Multiple streams of income: If finances permit, diversifying your skill set could be another way to supplement your income and possibly sustain your current lifestyle while we wait out the financial winter we're experiencing. Maybe it's time to learn another audio skill. Keep in mind some of these streams don't necessarily have to be directly related to your field. Don't tolerate the shame: Not from you, and definitely not from anyone else. Whether you're driving a forklift at the home center or shuttle vans at the airport, get your stock and people safely to their destination, rinse and repeat. Honest, hard work is nothing to be ashamed of. While it's your choice to decide whether or not it's best to share your occupation(s) with the rest of the world, it's also your choice to decide whether or not you'll allow anyone to scrutinize or judge you because you mix shows when they're available and handle other jobs when they're not. It is great knowing that Geoffrey's story didn't end with his abrupt departure from Trader Joe's to protect his privacy and dignity. What naysayers and ignorant people meant for destruction became a blessing as people like Tyler Perry and 50 Cent gave him roles on their major projects, allowing Geoffrey to show that he's still adept at his craft and allowing him to pursue acting more intentionally. The best part of this whole thing is that Geoffrey would eventually return to his job at Trader Joe's with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper resolve, no longer tolerating being job-shamed for doing what he could to support himself and his family. Maybe, just maybe, we can stop caring what anyone thinks of who we are or what we do for a living. Sometimes the means of transportation from one career goal to another is not what we planned for or anticipated. Remain vigilant and always be prepared to pivot into something new and unexpected, as it just might hold the keys to your next level.