Peoples Misconceptions of Others

After talking to an online friend, I realised how different people’s ideas are. In relationship to an actor’s success there appears to be a misconception that once an actor has appeared on a popular television show that they have suddenly made it big and can find any role they desire.

Personally speaking, after watching an actor on a show for over a year, I assume that they would be reasonably well off financially, quite secure in finding other roles and content that they can support themselves and their loved ones. Apparently I was wrong, although I am grateful that from what others have said I am not the only one with misconceptions of others. However, are our misconceptions about the actors themselves or about what it means to be famous? So what is fame? Is it being known by a few thousand people for being on a show or a film? Is it having walked down many a red carpet for film premieres and galas? Do you have to have a mansion and be known wherever you go in order to be seen as famous or are you famous if it is only people that watch you on the screen that recognise you? According to a dictionary definition, fame is ‘The condition of being known or talked about by many people, especially on account of notable achievements.’ So according to this, being on a show for over a year and having people know you and talk about you on places such as Twitter or Tumblr means that you are famous. I would love to hear the readers opinions on this!

I would also love to know how actors view themselves? Being me, I just had to ask!

‘I think that there is definitely a misconception of what “fame” means. For example, seeing someone of TV and assuming what that may mean their life is like when in reality it’s quite like everyone else’s. Just trying to get by and balance that with pursuing what you love. I think people sometimes tend to assume it’s all red carpets and premieres when in reality it’s working side jobs and going to class and competing with thousands of others for one or two available jobs which, to me, is part of the process. It’s earned. But there’s definitely an idea that if you were ever on TV, you’ve basically “made it” which is not the case. There’s much work to be done before you get to a level of complete stability with your craft’. I assumed that having a solid role would help to get new ones but according to Curt ‘it does help but it doesn’t guarantee anything and most productions want big names to be attached to their projects so it’s about being persistent and patient enough to earn the trust to finally be given bigger opportunities. The thing with acting is that while you’re working, it’s great but then that job goes away, you have to fill in the gap until the next job or the same job comes back.’ Curt Mega

Therefore, although I knew that actors still have to audition and I guess I was vaguely aware that many would still have other projects to work on, I guess that I did not fully understand that although I personally may be a huge fan and know many other people are their fans too but they would still have to hold down a normal day job even after appearing as a regular on a show or staring in a big film. So next time you are in Starbucks or Tesco, look around, you never know who may be working there!

This discussion made me wonder what other misconceptions we may have of people, I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts, maybe even your own experiences of seeing differently to others.

Paul

I think that due to the internet and social networking more people are being talked about and are becoming “Famous” , also the large number of TV channels are increasing the amount of people in the entertainment industry which is driving costs down along with wages. I’m guessing that the number of “A list Stars” is static.
- http://www.successcircuit.com Michelle Baker
  
  Very true, as well as sites such as You Tube and social media where people are making their own fame.
Ria

The same assumption is often made about writers – people assume that once you’ve published your first book that suddenly you’re rolling in dough like JK Rowling.

As I started becoming more serious about pursuing writing as a ‘career’ I was slightly shocked to find out that even successful, published, well-known authors often have day jobs to pay the bills!

Another writing related assumption is that a writer can pop into a cafe for a couple of months and bang out a novel, when in reality it often takes years and years – and many, many rewrites before you have a finished product.

Most creative industries seem to perpetual these myths – and I know it’s certainly increased my appreciation for all forms of entertainment and art the more I’ve learned how much time and effort goes into each episode/movie/novel/album/etc. But it always seems to me that the general populace remains oblivious to the reality of these industries.
http://www.successcircuit.com Michelle Baker

I agree that this misconception relates to practically all art forms, I am not sure why we believe that it only takes one ‘success’ to be successful in life. I think that it is an interesting part of societal beliefs.