Hey Everyone, I hope you're all doing well. Today, I want to tackle a topic that's been on many of our minds: overcoming gatekeeping and navigating the often tricky waters of industry politics. This is something that affects us all, no matter where we are in our careers. Specific Pain Points: Many of us have faced challenges related to: - Politics: The behind-the-scenes maneuvering that can often feel like a game of chess. - Hierarchies: The rigid structures that can make it difficult to climb the ladder. - Respect: The struggle to earn and maintain respect in a competitive environment. - Ego Checks: Dealing with individuals who let their egos drive their actions. - Lack of Opportunity: Feeling stuck and unable to break through to the next level. - Gatekeeping: Those invisible barriers that seem to prevent access to opportunities and resources. Personal Experience: When I first started out, I quickly realized that talent alone wasn't enough. I had to navigate a web of politics and hierarchies, often feeling like I was playing catch-up. Respect wasn't easily given, and ego checks were a daily reality. I had to literally prove myself every second I was on and off set. ** One particular instance stands out. I remember shooting a music video for a Rapper named Belly and it was the first big project that I’d done. I had never really worked with a bigger budget but I knew I could do it because it was just another day doing what I was naturally gifted at doing. I felt like an outsider, and breaking through the established circles seemed impossible. The “gatekeepers” were in full force, and every attempt to prove my worth was met with resistance. I had requested these battery operated lights and only had me and my roommate as crew. I was running around with a massive camera on me while switching batteries in and out as the lights died during filming. Not to mention, we were shooting a car shot and the filter dropped off and broke and I was told that it would be taken out of my already sacrificed low rate on top of the fact that I might not work again.