“Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of — for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.”
-Socrates
Key word is reputation. We all like to ideally have a positive reputation and be known for our craft, its only natural. So why is it, given that there is so much good and positive developments for our careers we can do on the internet, actors tend to behave so….dumb? Even with all the information on etiquette the Internet can provide. Even with all the public relations guidance and strict policing celebrities are afforded, you still often hear about a twitter scandal or inappropriate rant. So it’s no surprise that non-celebrities are no different, if not worse.
Now there have been many ‘social media for dummies’ articles surfacing and even workshops as of late. However, what’s applicable to the World Wide Web should also transcend to the real world. I was recently on a big-budget set and was way shocked to hear everyone from extras to crew to wardrobe folks, complaining about long hours and the director. Now we all remember how Christian Bale on the set of Terminator Salvation went absolutely friggin’ bananas at the director of photography, don’t we? While that type of behavior is more on the extreme side, the last thing you want to do is have a reputation for being difficult. And when I say ‘difficult’ I don’t mean just confrontational or incompetent, gossiping and complaining falls within that realm. And it’s suffice it to say that if I’ve noticed, chances are, so have many others including influential folks in the industry. There are spies on every set, be very conscious of that; the makeup artist could be the cousin to the director or producer- so while you’re at crafty complaining about how friggin’ tired you are of the ‘disorganization’ believe it will go back. As in the last situation, I noticed the complainers were not back on set the next week.
Let’s face it; this industry is a relationship-based field. And with the long and insane 10-18 works hours on set, no one wants to deal with a negative person. Nor do they want to put up with someone who is constantly complaining about the long hours or any mishaps that may occur – and as we all know, that’s pretty often. Be a team player on the internet and in the real world, or it could cost you opportunities. Make professionalism your priority at all times, it will precede you.
The following link is a great resource for social media etiquette:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diane-gottsman/social-media-etiquette_b_4548813.html
About Rhym Guisse
Rhym Guissé stepped into her acting shoes at a young age with witty impersonations and dramatic theatre at the family dinner table. She spent her childhood furthering her natural acting talents with choral singing, ballet dance classes and theatre. The efforts soon paid off when Rhym was cast in her first independent film, “La Méduse Rouge,” a French noir film. Rhym was born in Annaba, Algeria, to a Malian father and Algerian mother. She experienced many different cultures and societies from an early age and speaks three languages. Rhym’s cultural diversity has greatly influenced her artistically and cultivates her intense motivation to succeed. "My background is so varied and diverse, I've never been one to look at what the next person is doing," she says. "My travels and cultural experiences have set me apart and I will never blend in." It is this confidence and passion that motivates Rhym to achieve her dreams. A true artist, Rhym continues to effortlessly float between the disciplines of acting, music and art. Rhym continues to seek roles that challenge her as a woman and as an artist.