I can’t even believe it’s possible. I still think it’s a publicity stunt for his new tour. I fully expect for him to pop up somewhere or to learn that it was just one of his clones that passed away. How many people imitated this man? Every known major pop performer in the world at least. It has to be an imitator right? Why can’t this be an imitator?

Some part of my own life has passed away. I don’t think I’m alone in this feeling. There is this sense of mortality when one who seems so immortal passes away. Remember his concerts in the 80s-90s? Live from Bucharest? My God! Men and women, boys and girls fainted cold looking at him. There is no man on this planet that had that level of power in my life. They say Elvis and the Beatles had it, but not in my lifetime. Michael Jackson was the closest thing to a living god we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes.

I remember his court cases–any public appearance–he was always followed by a huge entourage of SUVs trailing him from the beginning of his trip to the end of it. The moment he appeared from inside the darkened cavern he was worshipped. In some ways, we see these superstars as immortal. They aren’t supposed to die. Even now, as I write this, Michael is dancing across my TV screen as he always has. And he will keep dancing and singing.

When I first heard he was in the hospital, I told my daughter that there will be a throng outside the hospital playing his songs and praying for him. There was. When I heard he died, I didn’t believe it anymore than anyone else did. I still don’t. Michael’s promoting his tour. Watch. Ticket sales will go through the roof!

Weeks will pass and we will still not believe it. We will sing his songs and watch his videos and have him just as close to us as he’s always been. And someone will inevitably ask, “what does this mean?” It means we’re all mortal–stars or not. Today we witnessed a supernova–we will feel its effects for years to come. We will miss you Michael.

T.R. Locke

Mmm. The first real tip. Let’s see. How’s this…?

Develop a very thick skin.

I just happened to see the job listings from UTA (United Talent Agency). The job listings are supposed to be internal openings that agents and their assistants browse to learn what production companies, or their own clients, are looking for in terms of support staff. Most of the listings are for agent assistants, celebrity assistants, interns/trainees and other lower-level studio executives. They are the kind of jobs many people who come to Hollywood hope to land in order to get a foot in the door.

These lists get swiped and passed around through email. Join almost any creative support group and you’re likely to come across one or more from a major agency. They all have them. And some of the jobs pay decent wages, too. You can be a celebrity assistant for instance and earn “$48K/year–no benefits.” However the reply link was via a country music company, so it might not be enough money.

What traits do many of the jobs look for? Well, along with, “must be willing to work flexible hours and be utterly committed to the job,” one very telling request was as follows: “Must have thick skin.”

What makes someone put that in a job posting? Not sure, but I would guess they lost their prior assistant because they cussed them out one too many times.

Thick skin. It’s not only good for assistants working for agents and celebrities, but it’s a must for any creative person who puts their talent up for judgment.

In fact, thick skin might be too soft a term–try armor plating. “Must have armor plating.” Armor is better than skin for repelling the knives that often fly at you. “Must be bulletproof.”

Whatever dreams you might have in Hollywood, unless you’re extremely lucky, you’ll encounter lots of rejection before you find it.  Not letting that rejection penetrate,  not taking the harsh comments to heart–letting them bounce off your thick skin will definitely help you stay on track and give you a better shot at reaching your goals.

Keep at it,

T. R. Locke

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