#Hollywood egos are out of control

By Dan Barber

As a regular person who enjoys escapism through watching movies and TV programs, I am starting to run out of stuff to entertain me.

This should be a warning to those people who strive to work in the film and television industry. Don’t piss off your audience to the point where they no longer like you.

I understand that to be an actor takes a person with a huge ego who needs constant feeding from adoring fans. But the nature of the beast is once the actor becomes overwhelmingly successful it becomes difficult for them to live a private life.  That causes a danger to the individual of having their character flaws exposed from many sides. If an individual starts believing their own publicity releases as being God’s gift to the masses they run the risk of destroying their own employability in the entertainment industry.

Most people, regardless of occupation, like recognition for the work they do. But, most people view those who seek or ask for recognition for their work as being flawed…or they work for an incompetent boss.

How many times have you walked into a nice office building and noticed a clean mirrored shine to the lobby floor? When I see that, I think of the custodian who labored the night before to make that floor shine and hope that the individual takes great pride in their work. Also, I hope the trust in the business I have to conduct in that building is honestly reflected in that floor.

Perhaps I’m being manipulated into believing falsely. Maybe the custodian who labors in that building fears the loss of their job if there is a flaw anywhere in the floor. If that’s the case, should I be concerned about the business I need to conduct in that building?

The older and wiser I get the more pessimistic I become. Maybe I’ve outgrown my sense of naiveté like I’ve outgrown my sense of immortality or my sense of trust in self. When I was young I could climb a ladder or tall fence to gain access to my roof to make repairs to a leak without fear of failure. Now just the thought of doing that scares me.

My advice to actors is to be honest in your craft and talent because if you have to rely on a writer to create your “shiny” personality then you're doomed to failure because you will eventually be exposed as a “dull” phony in your industry. 

Also, you should avoid being used to manipulate political partisanship; that risks ticking, off at least half, or more of your audience from the start.

Instead of asking or demanding recognition that you may or may not deserve, strive to provide through your chosen occupation the quality and believable escapism your audience deserves. Make us laugh, cry or cheer with your performance don’t make us cringe from your exposed faulty personality.

I am running out of a source of entertainment to help me escape reality.