“How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”
—Jacques Plante (Legendary hockey player)
At one point in my life I thought the above job sounded pretty good – then I had an epiphany.
I was sitting in an entertainment industry workshop listening to the participants express their fears, worries and challenges. Everyone was panicked to succeed immediately or else they feared it would never happen for them– these discussions led me to an incredible realization.
I discovered the reason that all of us within the entertainment industry, no matter the level, have it better off than professional athletes – even with their mega money and fame.
The source of my realization is my family background. I come from a sports family, and that is an understatement. My Father is Chuck Arnason and my brother is Tyler Arnason both ex-NHL players who had great careers.
Here we are at the NHL All-Star weekend. So proud of my bro! Both my dad and brother are now retired and even if they still dream of playing hockey they know it will never happen again – that makes me sad.
As I sat in the workshop and listened, I thought of all athletes.
An athlete’s career has an expiration date. Time moves forward and one day they are simply too old to get a job – forever. Although athletes land their employment in a similar way to us, they try out where as we audition or pitch, the fact is they face a very different reality.
A professional athlete’s dream ends in a way that we in the film industry will never experience. Athletes must capitalize on every moment while carrying enormous pressure. Not knowing if their career will take off while understanding that in a few short years their opportunities will truly be over.
Imagine that you are at an audition you must book. Here is why – your reality is that there are 2 maybe 3 years left for you to land a major film or TV job. Then, after you have booked this job, you will only be hired for two years, maximum.
Performers, writers, directors and producers live such a luxury: our dreams do not expire. We will always have the potential to land a dream job, to create our own work or to get back at it.
Thank you Betty White, Jessica Tandy, Christopher Plummer – Oscar at 82 years of age.
I had always been a little envious of my brother’s lot in life, professional athletes make a lot of money and it is a very exciting job. I secretly dreamed that had I been a boy I too would have followed in the family business and had a fulfilling hockey career. Yet today I feel that perhaps I am the lucky sibling, having a passion for a career path with unlimited possibilities and no end in sight.
Here is my brother and I with our bunny Marshmallow -two very little people with big dreams. Love the tank tops.
Today, he and my dad are both doing just fine. We are a household of big dreams and many sports’ sayings which help get me through the sticky times. I hope they inspire you too!
“You miss 100 % of the shots you don’t take” Wayne Gretzky – How true, we all need to remember that when thinking “should I” …um yes take the shot!
“No one asks how, they just ask how many” – Unknown. For me, this one means that there isn’t a ‘right’ way to get a job in film or a goal in hockey. Perhaps it takes you countless letters/gift baskets/naming your firstborn child Spielberg to get your dream part or the puck bounces off your shoulder into the net. However it happens – it still counts.
Remember “an assist is worth as much as a goal”– Aubrey Arnason. So pass the puck, share knowledge and connections, it will garner you more wins.
“The game isn’t over until it’s over.”– Yogi Barra. Yet, for we fortunate film people the game is never over.
I don’t actually know how my dad or brother feel about never playing again, but I can guess there are days they think “put me in coach I’m ready to play”, again.
So I ask you this – just when you feel you don’t have “anything left in the tank” take another shot for the pros. You never know when a lucky bounce will land you the goal you’ve always dreamed of.