What the Producer Said...Sweet Sixteen.

In the movie business, there are two times during the year when “Big Movies” are released. Traditionally, the Fourth of July weekend is big for over the top action-packed blockbusters (which today seems to mean the latest awful version of a Super Hero movie).  Christmas, or rather, the Holiday Season is when the big family friendly movies come out.  In order to keep this post “evergreen,” I will let you determine which family movie took the top prize this weekend.

The other thing these two times of the year have in common, is they are your psychological career introspection peaks. (You can look this up if you don’t believe me).

Especially among those new, or a few years into the business, the summer and the end of the year represent big time decision periods.  Here is how it works.

In the summer, you start thinking raise and the timeline toward a promotion.  It’s not your fault.  In the summer, the prices go up on everything.  All the new Fall clothes come out, and you have just finished making your last payment on your share in (ugh) Hampton Bays. 

In a sense, this is your Action-Packed Blockbuster time of year. This is when you turn it on. All of a sudden you’re coming in (close to) on time. Knocking out the assignments like a Tyson blow.  And you want absolutely EVERYONE to see how spectacular you are.  In your mind, you are ready to blow up bigger than anyone has ever done it!  All that, and you want to make damn sure you are noticed by the people who dole out the Academy Awards.

Fast forward to the end of the year.  You’re probably 0 for 2.  You didn’t get the promotion and there is a “raise freeze.” (Code for “We only gave raises to those who can walk out the door with Clients.”)  The movie on the marquee has changed. 

Now you are in Holiday Season mode.  Instead of blowing people away, you’ve turned into the “feel good movie of the year.”  You’re displaying all the classic elements of the family movie.  You start thinking about how you are going to triumph over adversity. You fantasize about leaving the business to do that thing you really love.  And no matter what, you see a happy ending (Which usually has you signing an offer letter from another agency).  

So, here’s what. You are not unique when it comes to this.  Let me be more specific. I am writing this on December 27^th, so I want to let you know that you REALLY don’t want to open that bakery/bike shop/bed and breakfast/ that you think you do.  It’s the holidays talking.  And just like the movie biz, there will be another season coming along.  Stick with this business and I guarantee the golden statue will eventually come.  Feel free to thank me in your acceptance speech.   

 And…fade to black.