Need to vent!

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
I am sorry if this offends anyone. I am sick and tired of people telling me how "lucky" I am for getting opportunities I have worked hard for.

Recently, I have been asked to audition for a host role on a new TV show coming out that uniquely showcases areas of expertise I possess. One person happened to overhear my end of the conversation at work. I tried to excuse myself, but couldn't. Following the phone convo, the same person proceeded to tell me how "lucky" I am for being offered the opportunity. I had to bite my tongue, but proceeded to tell him that luck had nothing to do with it. It was hard work, dedication, and training.

Being told how lucky I am just pushes a button in me. What I have accomplished took blood, sweat and tears........ literally. I do NOT consider myself lucky. It is only an opportunity that I most likely will not be chosen for, but feel honored to be asked, but not all that surprised to receive. I have paid my dues and worked my a$$ off for.

Again, just venting.
 
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As TJ said, "The harder I work, the Luckier I get"

I have the same reaction to the word "talent"


Congrats on the opportunity that you worked very hard for. :thumbsup:
 
Doc Bernard said:
I am sorry if this offends anyone. I am sick and tired of people telling me how "lucky" I am for getting opportunities I have worked hard for.

Recently, I have been asked to audition for a host role on a new TV show coming out that uniquely showcases areas of expertise I possess. One person happened to overhear my end of the conversation at work. I tried to excuse myself, but couldn't. Following the phone convo, the same person proceeded to tell me how "lucky" I am for being offered the opportunity. I had to bite my tongue, but proceeded to tell him that luck had nothing to do with it. It was hard work, dedication, and training.

Being told how lucky I am just pushes a button in me. What I have accomplished took blood, sweat and tears........ literally. I do NOT consider myself lucky. It is only an opportunity that I most likely will not be chosen for, but feel honored to be asked, but not all that surprised to receive. I have paid my dues and worked my a$$ off for.

Again, just venting.
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it sounds like you're overreacting to me, but i wasn't there so maybe i'm missing the context.
 
I have the same reaction when people look at something I've done and then tell me my camera must be really good.

As far as overreacting... I dont' think so.
Blowing up at the guy would have been overreacting - but there is nothing wrong with taking pride in your accomplishments and your work.
And when someone attributes what you've done to 'luck' it's essentially a different way of saying you got where you are by accident.

It's always said luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
So congrats to you for busting your ass to be properly prepared.
:thumbsup:

Best of luck with this latest opportunity - I'm sure it won't be the last.
 
You lucky bastard! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

I know exactly what you mean. Just remember the world is full of wanna-bees who are jealous & feel they are owed something.

Congratulations... I bet you get the gig!
 
ugafan said:
it sounds like you're overreacting to me, but i wasn't there so maybe i'm missing the context.
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Ugafan, I hear you. But to you I will reveal myself. In real life, I consider myself an actor, controlled and level. As an actor, I considerer that to be more real to who I am. On set, I am given freedom to explore my emotions and express them. I am allowed to be more "real" without the constraints everyday life places on people.

Sometimes, I look at it as having a multiple personality disorder, LOL. But, I consider that to be a result of wanting to be an actor. Maybe, just maybe, I am nuts.

But that does not say I haven't paid my dues. Zaza, just gotta push my buttons, huh? Bite me, LOL. And thanks all. Probably won't get the gig.
 
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This has been resonating in my head for some time: I feel like life is half choice, half circumstance. Of course, those aspects are mutually dependent.

In the industry's embellished success stories, people don't realize what it took to catch that 'lucky' break. The break is the circumstance, the hard work was a choice...the intentional dedication to learning the skill/craft/art, making sure you can perform when opportunity swings your way.

Either way, hope the gig pans out. It's okay to go a little nuts if the work makes you come alive
 
As somebody who is decently successful just 2 years out of college, I think luck does have a part with being successful.

I got my first full time job straight out of college because somebody watched my sports highlight videos on a fan message board. I got a freelance oppourtunity with a client because I bought something off him from craigslist. I didn't get jobs from real interviews for whatever reason - bad luck. I got a great financial situation where I am able to invest money into video equipment.

Now without hardwork, none of that would of been possible. But also without a little luck, they also wouldn't of been possible.
 
Luck happens. Most of the successful people I know attribute some bit of timing to their success. You meet the right person at the right time, a gap opens in the marketplace, or somebody mentions you as a candidate for a gig. Those things happen outside of your control, so you can call them luck.

But you drastically increase the chances of something like that happening if you work hard and become excellent at what you do.

Then there is the whole "what you do with the opportunity" factor. You might be lucky enough to catch a break, but luck won't hold out forever. You have to make the most of that chance.

There was an old interview with Brad Pitt (maybe around Legends of the Fall) that I saw. The interview was talking about how Brad is generally considered good looking. Brad just smiled and said that being handsome may open doors, but it doesn't keep them open. You have to work for that.
 
Congrats on the opportunity Doc, and best of luck. Let us know if you get the job.

Regrading luck, I believe in your situation it's the result of hard work. Judging by your posts on DVXUser, it's obvious you bust your butt to get the work you have and keep the work.

In some situations, yes it's luck. One guy from my highschool barely passed his acting class, moved to LA and got a big break. He's been in a couple movies, was a major character on a successfull TV show, and is enjoying the good life.

On the other hand, I was in a theater program with another guy who poured his heart and soul into everything acting related. After 4 years he moved back to LA and eventually (a few years out of school) landed a nice role in a feature film and it's sequal. His was a result of a lot of hard work.

But like they say, you have to make your own luck. And that means working hard, networking, constantly learning new things, and pushing yourself to get to the point that luck is removed from the equation and success is a result of that work.

Michael
 
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