The Seduction Of The Arts Industry

The arts industry is the most seductive industry that there is, this is not only in South Africa but the world over. Once one becomes an artist, especially a working artist, there are so many things that beckon and that come at you trying to seduce you. Some of the seduction is overt but most of it is subliminal. You need to have your head in the right space to be able to deal with all the temptations that throw themselves at you.

Most people change drastically within five years of them having joined the industry, yet others start the transformation in college and at tertiary. As an actor, or an artist you owe it to yourself to hold your head up high and resist the temptations, the lure and the seduction of this industry. People will come at you with offers of drugs, sex and all types of other irresistables. You aught to ask yourself a few questions; 1. where do you see yourself in the next few years? 2. Are the things being offered or being asked of you going to help sustain or even grow your career or are they potential destroyers? After asking yourself the questions the onus is then on you to resist and keep away from negativity.

The scourge of substance abuse has reared its ugly head and is now a permanent feature in our industry. We have seen many an artist losing their jobs because of abusing substances, like drugs and alcohol, and as it is always the case, people who abuse substances never want to take the responsibility and never want to admit, even when the signs are there for all to see.

You owe it to yourself to stay clean, avoid all sorts of temptations, work on your craft and work on becoming a better actor day by day. That is the only thing that can sustain you in this industry!

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