GIVE A SHOUT TO WORD UP! wordup@papermag.com
Entries tagged with 'Agents'
Posted Oct. 12, 2007,
The Life and Times of Fabian Basabe: "You Are a Brand!"
By Fabian Basabe
Rule #2: YOU ARE A BRAND!
Hello my dear readers. What follows is an interview with Paul Anderson, a mega-agent who managed to launch and bring success to many TV and radio personalities -- we are talking about godly skills here. Unfortunately for me, I was way beyond salvation even for him, but at least -- probably out of pity -- he granted me this interview, which I share with you.
Paul’s job is mainly focused on helping the talents he is working with to focus on their own skills and build what is called in the business, a “personality brand.”
See, apparently, each one of us has certain characteristics and traits that define us and make us more appealing to a certain audience than to another. Once you understand who your audience is, and you are able to win it, you establish followers. Your stakes go from commodity to brand, you stop being a disposable face that can be replaced by the next hot thing, and basically win the hearts of Americans and are in the business to stay, baby!
OK, the interview is not at all extravagant, but I am completely intimidated by him and could not bring myself to ask him any of the hundreds of silly questions that so easily pop in my mind daily. By the short and focused responses you might get what I mean… he is business and he is not afraid to show it.
On my part, I am going to go back to plotting my next blog.
Posted Oct. 8, 2007,
The Life and Times of Fabian Basabe: "Be on Time and Stay Away From the Bullshit."
By Fabian Basabe
Rule #1: Be original -- don't be a whore! Sleep with people because you like them... not because you think it will help you. You will just get passed around.
We are all familiar with stories of shady agents who want you to meet them at their homes at night in order to make a move, or tell you, “that is how the industry is...” NO! This is a terrible misrepresentation and a sad story unfortunately told over and over again. This is business! You are talent and they are agents. The agent makes money when you make money. If you are talented you will work, period! If you are young and inexperienced and a bit naïve, you will most likely become a pet to an agent that finds you hot... but pay attention, this is a very expensive city and every day will cost you. Do not be intimidated, just be aware... you are after a profession and you should be professional. There are hundreds like you and you are not the first to use sex as an "in.”
The industry gets a bad rap as it is... be original, actually keep your clothes on, strengthen your skills by taking classes and getting real work experience, be on time, and stay away from the bullshit.