Oct 28 2005
Celebs.
Just any FYI for those of you starting to come up in the biz – working with celebrities t’ain’t always what it’s made out to be. Now simply knowing celebrities is usually cool (at minimum interesting). But working with them certainly can range across the spectrum from mind-blowingly-lovely to utterly horrific.
I’ve said it before – to successfully work with celebrities, you have to be 95% business and 5% fan. No more, no less.
Right you are, of course, Jason. I try to do that consistently, and thinking of “famous people” as human beings really helps in that regard. Just being friendly and normal and professional is all.
Question for you: Is it gauche to mention having worked with celebrities, in a matter of fact way, in a resume? Just factual, I mean. Does one sort of dance around that? Or simply leave it off?
For instance, once I worked with several famous high level and up and coming classical artists as the Artists’ Assistant at a well-known classical competition. I was literally these people’s right hand woman, sharpening pencils, refrigerating medicines, buying stamps, etc. I worked my tail off, of course. (I did get to sit right next to them and hear their comments as the performers were “on”, but of course would not ever divulge that to anyone.) Made sure to speak with Famous Artist’s *Wife* at the reception, who turned out to be absolutely lovely, interesting in her own right and knowledgeable, a real delight.
Do I mention working with Famous Artists X, Y and Up And Coming Artist Z in the Administrative section of my resume, or no?
For future reference, is it different if I sing in a production (say I have a minor role) on stage with them? My instinct there is to leave that out…
???
As far as resume goes, I would only include such highlights if they were significant in the ‘celebrity’s’ career, or at least made an impact in some way. Then it is useful to those reading, as it demonstrates you are competent at such a level.
Any mention of celebrity involvement that is not really relevant or was an insignificant event, is likely to be more damaging to your resume than beneficial, as those reading should be able to separate an attempt to look important from actual substance.
There is nothing worse than ‘name dropping’ or attempting to make something out of nothing, whether it be on a resume or bio etc.
I see this in alot of indie bands’ bios, in their attempts to attract those in the industry, will mention certain bands or labels with which they have no connection or a tenious link a best.
I think a good bio / resume will paint an accurate and honest picture with an interesting story.
There is no point in trying to look good, just concentrate on being good, then the story will write itself.
You hit it on the head. I tell my students this all the time. I also make it an important topic at my clinics. You need to learn about the other half the business and how to work with large egos. To be a great side person/ freelancer is only half the battle. I’ve gotten some gig just because I was a nice person and easy to work with. I’ve even lost some gigs for that same reason.
Thanks guys, that really does help. (After I posted that question, I thought hey, at least in our field, if you put down such and such a performance, everyone who’s the least bit knowledgeable or who cares to go look it up will know with whom you worked anyway, so why brag, it just looks cheesy & cheap.)
Glenn said it well, “There is no point in trying to look good, just concentrate on being good, then the story will write itself.” (And as Kenn says, we do need to learn to work effectively with big egos. Mostly that means working very, very hard and staying out of their way, I guess.)
Thanks again. It’s been very timely advice, gentlemen.