| 25 RULES OF SHOWBIZ
POSTED BY :CURT GRANGER ON THE BHAM-BUZZ
The 25 Rules of Showbiz
by: Curt Granger
There are a lot of general rules in the business and entertainment industries, but these 25 "rules" have endured through the Vaudeville era, P.T. Barnum, Broadway, Hollywood and into today's world of contemporary showmanship. A lot of these rules are still applicable for modern-day musicians, performers and entertainers. They're simple but powerful. Of course the saying goes "there are exceptions to every rule," so break these rules at your own risk:
Know thy audience.
Look & act the part.
Learn your lines. Prepare and rehearse.
Set out to entertain them beyond their expectation.
The show must go on.
Open BIG and end BIG.
The "star" goes in the middle and gets the spotlight.
Always speak into the microphone or look into the camera.
Make sure you give them what they paid for and came to see/hear. If they came to hear you sing your hits, you must sing your hits.
Never turn your back on the audience.
Never let the audience know you've made a mistake, but if they do, laugh it off.
He who fails and then succeeds gets bigger applause than he who succeeds every time.
Suit the action to the word and word to the action.
Develop your own style, act, and shtick.
If they like it once - they'll love it twice.
Never try to upstage a bigger star.
If you work with kids or animals, be prepared to be upstaged.
Never let them see/hear you out of context.
You need a nice hero that the audience can root for.
You need a mean villain the audience can root against.
Don't spoil the ending for others.
Always leave them wanting more.
Always go out on a high note.
Thank your fans and take your bows.
Don't believe your own PR. Don't read your reviews.
Remember, it takes talent, courage, and self-discipline to be a professional performer. There are a lot of "talented" people out there, but few who have the courage to be different, put themselves in a vulnerable position (on a stage in front of an audience), and the self-discipline to consistently give their all in their performances and never lose sight of their goals. Keep these rules in mind and apply them to your own unique situations when necessary. Most of all, be mindful of how your audience reacts , after all they're the ones who matter the most. |