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The It Factor

Question:

Hey I agree.  Why I said "for some".   Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think for some the obsession to be "discovered" must deplete the richness life has to offer.  To me it’s akin to those who play the daily lottery.  What’s wrong with doing little plays at a local theater?  You’re using your craft, not chasing a dream that’s almost unattainable.  (They said only 2% actually make a living acting.)  And it can’t be good for your health either, running around like that, blood pressure up, waiting for call backs.   JMO. Mary Well, and this isn’t meant to sound elitist at all, you can’t work the same caliber of projects in a local theatre.  For many, that would probably work, and I have had many friends that went through four to five years of college training as an actor to do just that.  But for those of us out there slaving away in crappy jobs and auditioning to be in that 2% working class of actors, we have very different reasons. Some want the fame.  They will sell their lives away for the fame. That’s just great.  A bit of a gamble, maybe, but great for them…"You go girl" is all I could say to them. But then there are those who do it for the art (not the "craft" as you call it…they are two different things).  I tend to think of myself in that category.  I am fascinated by, and feel perpetually challenged with the onslaught of new and different and unique characters which call to me, personally, to bring them into existence.  I’ll stop it there so I don’t run the risk of going into a tirade…you get the gist.  But the point is, you just can’t get that kind of work at a local theatre with a bunch of other actors and directors and designers who are "just doing little plays" and just "using [their] craft" and are themselves not "chasing a dream that’s almost unattainable". Misery loves company…so do artists. -rwbruce

Response:

I’m just wondering what everyone here thought about the It Factor on Bravo

I saw the first two episodes, and they depressed the hell out of me.  Buncha wannabees seeking fame and fortune, squealing and carrying on while the camera rolls and follows them around.  No talk of art or higher purpose at all.  I didn’t see a candidate among them that I would like to spend an hour with. "The It Factor" brings to mind what Joe Chaiken once observed about the many aspiring actors who wish to succeed  not because of love of art ,but in pursuit of a form of "self-flattery".  Some people believe that, if they can manage to get their images  projected on  movie or TV screen, it will make them matter in life.  Seriously, I hope all this is worth more than that. Ed Hooks www.edhooks.com

Response:

I think for some the obsession to be "discovered" must deplete the richness life has to offer.  To me it’s akin to those who play the daily lottery.  What’s wrong with doing little plays at a local theater?  You’re using your craft, not chasing a dream that’s almost unattainable.  (They said only 2% actually make a living acting.)  And it can’t be good for your health either, running around like that, blood pressure up, waiting for call backs.   JMO. Mary

Well, and this isn’t meant to sound elitist at all, you can’t work the same caliber of projects in a local theatre.  For many, that would probably work, and I have had many friends that went through four to five years of college training as an actor to do just that.  But for those of us out there slaving away in crappy jobs and auditioning to be in that 2% working class of actors, we have very different reasons.  Some want the fame.  They will sell their lives away for the fame. That’s just great.  A bit of a gamble, maybe, but great for them…"You go girl" is all I could say to them. But then there are those who do it for the art (not the "craft" as you call it…they are two different things).  I tend to think of myself in that category.  I am fascinated by, and feel perpetually challenged with the onslaught of new and different and unique characters which call to me, personally, to bring them into existence.  I’ll stop it there so I don’t run the risk of going into a tirade…you get the gist.  But the point is, you just can’t get that kind of work at a local theatre with a bunch of other actors and directors and designers who are "just doing little plays" and just "using [their] craft" and are themselves not "chasing a dream that’s almost unattainable". Misery loves company…so do artists. -rwbruce

Response:

Nope, no good, but thanks Keith.  An IBM spot that I was released from in September ran, out of cycle, on the show – and Bravo is denying it. Actually, I’ve gotten a full dub of the show from an actor friend here in L.A.  Appreciate your offer, though. Best, ST – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have it without commercials if that helps.

Response:

I’m just wondering what everyone here thought about the It Factor on Bravo

Response:

Didn’t see it.  But if anyone taped it (including the commercial breaks), PLEASE, PLEASE let me know.  This is extremely important. Steve Tom Los Angeles – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m just wondering what everyone here thought about the It Factor on Bravo

Response:

I have it without commercials if that helps.  It’s also on Fri at 8 I think as well! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Didn’t see it.  But if anyone taped it (including the commercial breaks), PLEASE, PLEASE let me know.  This is extremely important. Steve Tom Los Angeles

Response:

LOVE this show.  Had no idea how bad the life was.  I pictured waiters/waitresses doing small theater on the side, but their whole life is auditioning!  How about the guy who got in at 4:30 am? Mary "No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful." – TMBG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m just wondering what everyone here thought about the It Factor on Bravo

Response:

: LOVE this show.  Had no idea how bad the life was.  I pictured : waiters/waitresses doing small theater on the side, but their whole : life is auditioning!  How about the guy who got in at 4:30 am? : Well, in his case he has a nightly comedy gig…and figure the place closes at 2….so it takes him that long afterwards to "unwind" — performance high…. : Mary : "No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful." : – TMBG :

: I’m just wondering what everyone here thought about the It Factor on Bravo

Response:

: LOVE this show.  Had no idea how bad the life was.  I pictured : waiters/waitresses doing small theater on the side, but their whole : life is auditioning!  How about the guy who got in at 4:30 am? : Well, in his case he has a nightly comedy gig…and figure the place closes at 2….so it takes him that long afterwards to "unwind" — performance high….

Yeah but my point was that was a normal day for him, and he wasn’t even paid!  I think for some the obsession to be "discovered" must deplete the richness life has to offer.  To me it’s akin to those who play the daily lottery.  What’s wrong with doing little plays at a local theater?  You’re using your craft, not chasing a dream that’s almost unattainable.  (They said only 2% actually make a living acting.)  And it can’t be good for your health either, running around like that, blood pressure up, waiting for call backs.   JMO. Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Mary : "No one in the world ever gets what they want and that is beautiful." : – TMBG : : I’m just wondering what everyone here thought about the It Factor on Bravo

Response:

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