When I was studying, decades ago! It was drummed into me how competitive this industry is and success was dependent on who you know. These days, many other industries have adopted the same principles, so it should be the norm that we all help each other to a certain extent.
Unfortunately, there are still far too many out there that have adopted the "All About Eve" approach to getting ahead (great movie with Bette Davis, rent it if you can). I have met artists who have smiled and encouraged another artist, to their face. Only to trash their name, when a job opportunity came along. Or an artist, not wanting to say the product they used on a shoot in case it is copied. Or not helping an artist, by withholding equipment he or she has asked to borrow, even though they have had it gathering dust in their cupboards for years. Or artists who are too busy to do a particular job, but won't pass on the name of another artist, to that client "because they would rather a stranger get the job, than someone they know"!!!
I despair when I hear these stories. Yes it is a competitive industry, but I am also a firm believer that whom ever you help along the way, it comes back to you ten fold. Likewise, if you go around screwing over the competition, eventually, karma is going to come back and take a huge chunk from your assets! I'm sure a lot of people wonder about the bookings I have had in the past and thought "how the heck did she get that one??" but I have always tried to help anyone who has asked for it and if that makes me naive, then sobeit, but I also believe it's positive karma being returned (very new age, I know). I find that so much easier to live with than the thought of deliberately blocking someones chance to shine. I believe success is down to hard grafting, determination, skill and a whole lot of luck. I for one, will do anything I can to enhance my chances of the latter!
There endeth todays sermon!
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