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All posts for the month January, 2012
I meet people every single day who have one or many or all of these poisonous lies constantly being whispered into their ears. I was once one of them. My clients tell me that making the brave jump into living their dream was one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things they’ve ever done. Transforming from being perceived as “invisible” to “invincible”
I don’t often post articles by other people, but I just know that I couldn’t have said this better myself.
Ten Lies You’ll Hear Before Pursing Your Dream
Written by DivineCaroline.com
Unfortunately, just before you take your first step on the righteous journey to pursue your dreams, people around you, even the ones who deeply care for you, will give you awful advice. It’s not because they have evil intentions. It’s because they don’t understand the big picture—what your dreams, passions, and life goals mean to you. They don’t understand that, to you, the reward is worth the risk.
So they try to protect you by shielding you from the possibility of failure, which, in effect, also shields you from the possibility of making your dreams a reality.
As our friend Steve Jobs says:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Here are ten ill-advised tips (lies) people will likely tell you when you decide to pursue your dreams and the reasons why they are dreadfully mistaken:
1. You can follow your dreams someday, but right now you need to buckle down and be responsible.
Someday? When is ”someday”? “Someday” is not a day at all. It’s a foggy generalization of a time that will likely never come. Today is the only day guaranteed to you. Today is the only day you can begin to make a difference in your life. And pursuing your dreams is what life is all about. So don’t be irresponsible. Don’t wait until “someday.” Make today the first day of the rest of your new life.
2. You’re totally screwed if it doesn’t work out.
Wrong! This is a giant, lame load of BS. You’re not even close to being screwed. In fact, the worst case scenario is that things don’t work out and you have to go back to doing exactly what you are doing right now.
3. It’s safer to stay at your day job.
Sure, I suppose. But you know what’s even safer than that? Going home, locking yourself in your bedroom, and never, ever coming out. And just like that, you will have flushed your entire life and your dreams down the toilet. Remember, safer doesn’t always mean better.
4. That’s impossible!
It’s only impossible if you never do anything about it. The reason certain things seem impossible is simply because nobody has achieved them yet. But this doesn’t mean that with your help these things won’t become possible in the future. If you truly dedicate yourself to an end result, almost anything is possible. You just have to want it bad enough.
5. Only a lucky few “make it.”
That’s because those lucky few got off their rear ends and did something about it! They had the drive, determination, and willpower that you have right now. You can be one of them. It’s up to you, and only you.
6. You might fail. And failing is bad.
Failures are simply stepping stones to success. No matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something: win–win. The biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you’re too scared to make a mistake. If you can’t handle failure, then you can’t handle success either.
7. You don’t have access to the right resources.
It’s not about having the right resources; it’s about exploiting the resources you do have access to. Stevie Wonder couldn’t see, so he exploited his sense of hearing into a passion for music, and he now has twenty-five Grammy Awards to prove it. Get it?
8. You need more money saved before you can take the first step.
You don’t need more money. You need a plan. You need a budget. Eliminate ALL the nonessential costs in your life. If pursuing your dream requires you to leave your day job, figure out the absolute minimum amount of income that you realistically require to live. Studying those who have succeeded with similar ventures also helps. But above all, take baby steps. Don’t be foolish and assume that you must have a certain amount of money saved right now, or that you must quit your day job today in order to pursue your dreams. Instead, ask yourself, “What actions can I take right now with the money and resources I have right now that will bring me closer to desired goal?”
9. You don’t need any help. It’s smarter to go after it alone.
You are the sum of the people you spend the most time with. If you hang with the wrong people, they will negatively affect you. But if you hang with the right people, you will be far more capable and powerful than you ever could have been alone. Find your tribe and work together to make a difference in all of your lives.
10. That sounds like a lot of hard work.
You’re darn right it does! But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. I think success in life hinges on one key point: finding hard work you love doing. As long as you remain true to yourself and follow your own interests, values, and dreams, you can find success through passion. Perhaps most importantly, you won’t wake up a few years from now working in a career field you despise, wondering, How the heck am I going to do this for the next thirty years? So if you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re onto something big. Because hard work ain’t hard when you concentrate on your passions and dreams.
Disregard these misguided bits of nonsense and you’ll be well on your way to fulfilling your dreams. Now get out there and make a splash!
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I’m always looking out for your image. — Steve
Robin Fahr is no stranger to the spotlight. She was a Marketing/Public Relations expert and a successful commercial actor & model in her 20s, she has been on local news and radio stations for years, and even has her own weekly talk show called “Conversations” on TV30 Tri-Valley Television.
Robin came to us over two years ago, asking if we’d be guests on her show. We had a great time – Robin is an excellent host & interviewer. Afterward, we had spoken to Robin about re-entering the world of commercial modeling and acting. We knew that after over 20 years of being out of the game that NOW was the time for her. Baby-Boomers are in high demand in the commercial market.
Well, long story short – we planned, photographed, trained and packaged Robin so she could confidently submit herself to the agencies in San Francisco. Soon after, she had many of them after her to sign! She’s been having a blast working on commercials, corporate videos and even infomercials!
But Robin wanted to expand her brand and her market. She wanted to be sought after in Los Angeles as well. She took advantage of the IMTA Showcase in Los Angeles in January of 2012. The IMTA is a big deal! It’s a week-long showcase, held twice a year, where over 400 agents, casting directors, managers and academia gather looking for new talent. It’s held in Los Angeles in January, and in New York City in July. Although she had some experience, we all agreed that extra preparation was needed to be ready for the competition. The IMTA is an investment that is worthy of some pretty intense preparation. We prepared Robin by helping with her monologue, spent tons of hours honing her comedic & dramatic acting skills, worked on memorization techniques, human qualities, photographic posing – even her teleprompter skills!
Robin was on a mission to prove herself as a Television Personality. She knew she had the skills to really do well in the Entertainment Host and commercial cold read competitions. She thought she “might do okay in the acting competitions.” Ha! Little did she know!
Lo and behold — Robin did all she came to do and more! She dominated the Television categories, winning the awards below:
* 1st Place – Entertainment Host
* 1st Place – TV Real People
* 1st Place – SitCom
* 1st Runner Up – Screen Test
* 1st Runner Up – Female Actor Of the Year
Talk about sweeping the awards! Robin is on fire! She is now booking meetings with Hollywood agents and has the attention of some very influential casting directors. Robin’s future has opened up very quickly since competing in the IMTA.
This, we attribute to great skill, training, preparation and tons of talent. When you reach the level of talent and skill that the industry recognizes as marketable, you are then able to be “welcomed into” what so many hope will just simply come to them.
Congratulations to Robin Fahr! We know you’ll have so many stories to tell us as this journey unfolds!
PS – If you’d like information on how Steve Cozart Photography and SLC Media Group can help you prepare and create your marketing tools just like we did for Robin, give us a shout! (866)568-7818
Register now for an amazing workshop experience
with top SF commercial photographer
Steve Cozart
on Sunday, March 4th from 1 to 2pm.
You will learn the secrets to getting you or your child work as a successful actor or commercial model.
We will take all of the guess work out of getting started, teach you specifically what you need to know to get started freelance or with an agency.
Click on the big REGISTER NOW button below/right to take advantage of this limited time opportunity. —->>>
You will get current and relevant information and perspective from people who work behind and in front of the camera.
Here are the valuable lessons you will learn in this fun, interactive boot camp:
We will take all of the guess work out of getting started, teach you specifically what you need to know to get started freelance or with an agency.
Click on the big REGISTER NOW button below/right to take advantage of this limited time opportunity. —->>>
You will get current and relevant information and perspective from people who work behind and in front of the camera.Here are the valuable lessons you will learn in this fun, interactive boot camp:
- How to package yourself to be successful in the San Francisco market
- The differences between agents, modeling web sites and casting directors
- How to find a great agent, and what they expect from actors and models
- Tips to create the right tools even with little or no experience
- How to find the right photographer and properly prepare for your photo session
- Clearly understand the ingredients that are needed to create strong commercial photos
- The best way to create a powerful composite sheet
- How to take an amazing head shot
- How to turn your “dream” into a business
For all ages 5 to 65. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by one or both parents.
This is an educational event, not an audition.
What are our clients saying:
ATTENTION EVERYONE:
Email from agent: …Congrats you are booked for the Cisco photoshoot…
(This is the second gig my headshot auditioned and booked for me) Thanks Steve Cozart!
Sam Vaiz
ATTENTION EVERYONE:
Email from agent: …Congrats you are booked for the Cisco photoshoot…
(This is the second gig my headshot auditioned and booked for me) Thanks Steve Cozart!
Sam Vaiz
Yeeh, I have been cast for a commercial at Dolan’s Lumber tomorrow! My new portfolio pictures are starting to pay off already!! The client described the couple for in the shoot as in their 40’s, nice-looking and upscale casual/country club casual. The casting director wrote me the following: For wardrobe/makeup, think along the same lines as your new headshots.
Now, that is awesome! Looks like I finally started to market myself in the right way. Thanks Steve and Laurie!
Astrid Tromp
Time to spotlight another talent that we’re SO very proud of.
Salina Conse is a VERY talented lady who has a background in theater. She shines on stage and wanted to take her skills to Los Angeles when we attended the IMTA. Not only did she attend as an actor – but also an a model. Salina and I had worked together in my weekly classes, working on her commercial acting audition skills. About a year ago, she earned the contract with the same agency that represents me too. While in LA she competed in over 10 competition categories, from Sit-Com to Fashion Runway, to Theatrical/Commercial Photography, Monologues, etc. She even made the final cut for the Michael Maddox fashion runway show during the week’s culmination award show!
Salina completely shined during the week! She competed in more competitions than any other of the contestants we took to IMTA. She had maybe 2 hours of free time during the entire week. She worked hard, stayed focused and performed like a star. Salina had confided in me (and I don’t think she’d mind me spilling these beans) that she had entered as both an actor and a model to see which one materialized.
So, here’s what materialized:
22 Scheduled Agency Callbacks!
2 Private meetings with Model Agents
1st Place in her division for the Sit-Com competition!
A $10,000 scholarship to the New York Film Academy!
After Salina had gone up to the stage to accept her award, we hugged. She whispered to me, “Well, now I know…I’m an actor.” What she didn’t know? I already knew this about her…and I suspect that deep in her heart, she knew this too. She’s good. Really good.
Funny thing about the IMTA…it really can determine whether or not a talent is ready for (or NOT ready for) the business. After a week in the heart of show biz, you will know if you can handle it. I have no doubt that Salina can thrive! Is she done preparing? No…hell no! But she now knows the skill level of her competition, the level she needs to meet and beat and is making a plan for the future…as an actor.
Our client Emily Greco has recently returned with us from Hollywood, where she took the International Model & Talent Association event by storm! After weeks of preparation, photography sessions and financial preparation all culminating in her 6 event acting competitions, she walked away with Actor of The Year, 1st Place in Commercial Print, 1st Place – Monologue, 1st Place – Screen Test, 2nd Runner Up – Television Host, plus she won a $10,000 scholarship to the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts!
Here in the Bay Area, Emily has been working with us at SLC Media for about a year. We helped her to gain the knowledge she needed to begin thinking of herself as a brand. Emily was already a gifted actor in many ways, but recognized that she didn’t really know how to apply her experience and skills she possessed to enter the commercial market we live in. Fast forward a year later – and see how she’s doing now! She’s booking commercials and ads like crazy!
We’re very proud of Emily and urge you to keep your eyes open for big things to come for her. If you would like to get started in this exciting and rewarding field, contact us.
Emily in a Lumosity.com commercial:
Emily in a Cisco commercial:
Welcome to SLC Media Group!
Steve Cozart is a successful actor currently represented by top agencies in San Francisco and LA. He has appeared on many local, national and International network television shows, several national TV commercials and music videos. He is also a successful commercial print model, musician and theater actor. Steve is an award winning photographer and acting coach. 
Steve is an agent-recommended photographer who can help you get where you want to be! Ask any of his clients who have sought after agency representation – 99% of Steve’s clients have signed with an agent after submitting photos/head shots that were shot by him. They get signed because we create exactly the type of branding they need to not only land an agent, but it actually gives the agent something to begin marketing the talent immediately. This photography makes you irresistible to agents.
Laurie Cozart is an experienced TV Host, entertainment coach, and author. She is curently represented by one of the top talent agencies in the San Francisco Bay area and has worked on major television networks, TV series and webisodes. Laurie is also a highly sought-after motivational speaker and business coach. Schedule a private half hour on-line coaching session with Laurie. Schedule here.
