Losing Business Because I Am Too Young?

Daniel J

Daniel J

Well-known member
I met with a couple at a coffee shop the day before yesterday and the first words coming out of his mouth were, "you dan? (i nodd)... I was... uh... expecting someone older" I stumbled some odd comment about my facial hair.

This is what brings me to this post. I would like a quick comeback next time this happens such as "well this _______(work of art) was produced at the hands of ______(such and such person) who was only ______(such and such) years old"

Any History/Art majors out there?
 
just show them your portfolio - i could care less if van gogh was 14 when he did starry night (which he wasnt - just using it as an example). Any time I meet with a vendor if they dont have any quality work to show me then I could care less. People will be taken back by your age, but if you arent professional and have professional work to show then they have every right to be. If you have good work to show and act in a professional way then you are set.
 
Michael Bay was directing National commercials and big budget music videos by the time he was 26. Actually i think he was younger then that but I'm being a tad conservative.

I also seem to find myself in the "age" problem. Not so much because I am 25 (almost 26) But because I look about 5 years younger then I am. I find that some people just don't give the the same respect on that first impression meeting. Once they see my work that all goes away. But it certainly is an annoying challenge.

However I'm sure that thats time goes on, looking a lot younger will be an advantage to me. But for now.....

When I was 21 I had a flight attendant question my age to sit in the emergency seat on the plane. She stated that I had to be at least 14 to sit in that row.

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I had the same exact problem when I was in my early twenties.

I almost became a producer for the PBS affiliate when I was 22. I made it to the final interview with the top four candidates, but they made it clear they were uncomfortable trusting that much responsibility to someone so young.

I almost ran a TV series when I was 28. Same logic.

Now, I'm an art director at 34. I'm still younger than most art directors and most of the artists in my department.

I never figured out how to resolve this problem...I just got older and the problem became irrelevant once I was a bit closer in age to my counterparts and potential coworkers.

Here is what you need to remember:

- It isn't personal. They're making a judgement based on their own personal maturity at your age and based on the maturity of most people your age. They're generalizing.

- There isn't anything you can do about it, except be extremely professional. Be even MORE professional than anyone else you've met. Be MORE detail oriented. Prepare your paperwork to an even higher standard. Show up 10 minutes early. Have an incredibly professional and polite voice mail message. Don't answer your phone "wassup?" (I had a potential hiree answer his phone like that two days ago...he didn't get the job.) Accept that they'll be looking for signs that you're an ordinary 22 year old slacker...don't give them any of those signs.

- Do an extensive phone interview first, send them a bid or proposal through your email...and then when they meet you face to face they'll be more likely to judge you by the work you've already delivered to them.

- Do a short, trial freebee for clients. I did this a lot. Sometimes I was exploited. Sometimes, it evolved into paying work.
 
I concur with all of that. Basically, you just gotta work twice as hard. And let them know that you piss excellence .

"I get no respect. I get no respect at all" :~)
 
I know of a story of a writer who wrote for TV for years... but he couldn't get any work on lets say for fun THE OC or any young hip tv show because he was in his 50's...

So he started showing up at pitch meetings with his new late 20's writer partner... who was his son in law... and he started getting writing jobs for those shows...

I forgot to ask how much his son in law finally got for just being a younger stand in...

Also RyanbellaCine... its sure hard to post something when these images of a cute girl keep distracting me... lol...
 
"I get that quite a bit - so did Orson Welles."

You can continue, "...Welles produced his own radio program for CBS when he was 23. That's where he scared the hell out of America and the rest of the planet with his War of the Worlds broadcast. Oh, and he also helmed Citizen Kane, which you must know to be critically and widely recognized as the best film ever made in the United States—when he was twenty-six.

Always add that you're not comparing yourself to Orson Welles, but they should get the point if you're on your game.

Darn you BarryS, darn you to heck!

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Spielberg directed his first TV movie (DUEL) at the age of 25. I believe the Gaffer on the shoot ribbed him about his age and suggested he (the gaffer) go get the kid (Spielberg) some cookies and milk before the night shoots started.

Also, don't forget Spielberg was directing films at 13. His first (short) film I believe was called "The Last Gun" in 1959. Just because your young doesn't mean you don't have the talent.

The people who make comments about your age are probably jealous and poopooing their pants. Just make sure you have the talent and the balls to take these people head on.

Remember, if your enthusiastic and prolific at making films anything is possible......Now if only I could get my ass out of this chair and go make a movie.

Regards

Rich " pot calling kettle black" Steel
 
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overlandfilms said:
"Always add that you're not comparing yourself to Orson Welles..."

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Click to expand...

I would say who the hell is Orsen Welles?
1. Where shiny shoes and business casual attire.
2. Where cologne.
3. If you can grow facial hair grow it.
4. Bring some type of Briefcase/Laptop bag.
5. Be very very prepared!
6. Say yeah I hear that some times but I thats why I am here try not to waste my youth.

So basically no tennis shoes,baseball caps,sports jerseys,baggy jeans,tight ass jeans,ripped up jeans,ipod headphones,or school backpack. Don't say "you know what I mean", or "like" every other word. Business cards are a most. If you do all of that you didn't get the gig for other reasons. Hope this helped.:)
 
I'm confused. Nik, would you not tell someone who Orson Welles is because it appears to you to be an obtuse reference or are you saying you don't know who Orson Welles is?

My earlier post cited Welles as an example of an artist who accomplished things at a very young age. Furthermore, in the eyes of the greater filmmaking establishment, his achievements have not yet been matched. Hence, Citizen Kane is almost universally recognized as the best American film ever made by anyone who matters.

I also should say that I don't disagree with your observations on looking and acting the part of a creative professional.

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Personally, I'd avoid comparisons to any other directors. If you mention what Orson Welles or Steven Spielberg did, it's likely the guy's going to be thinking, "Yeah, but what are the odds of YOU being another Welles or Spielberg??"

Instead, I would attack the issue from a different angle -- explain that youth is a STRENGTH, not a weakness. There is a vast difference between youth and immaturity or inexperience. Remind him that the YOUTH audience is a huge market, and who knows better how to resonate with that market than a YOUNG person? (Yes, use the word 'resonate'.) Your youth is one of your strongest suits. Your ideas are FRESH and NEW and HIP (or whatever the current slang for 'hip' is nowadays.) YOU are the exciting new CUTTING EDGE of filmmaking.

THAT'S the way to play it. (At least, that's the way I'D play it if I wasn't 53 years old!)

Good luck!
 
I was saying I did not know who Orlsen Welles was or I haven't seen Citizen Kane, but I am 26 good thing I look old. If you are dealing with corporate types they might not know anything about these types of films. They will probably have tv show/commercial/new movie references. That is about it. Just look like you would play golf with them. I am big and black with braids in my hair. So I try to play the Neo Soul role. I am far from that.
 
I really hope they've at least heard of Citizen Kane... and Orson Welles...

anyways i think Nik's right on with shiny shoes etc - I get more respect now that I carry a leather padfolio around and make notes about things too. Usually its just drawings of dinosaurs attacking the client, but they dont need to know that. Sometimes I've even taken actual notes and they've been useful later - crazy!!
 
I am always curious about Citizen Kane being #1. The way I understand it is this rating was achieved because the large majority of film scholars/critics all appreciate Citizen Kane to some degree, but isn't necessarily their personal #1. For example, if you had everyone make a top ten list, Citizen Kane is the only movie to appear in everyone's list, however, it is not always their #1. I'd like to know for sure, though.
 
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