Jon FriedmanProducer
Published on March 2, 2004
Jon FriedmanProducer – The Rejection Show
www.tremendousrabbit.com
Some writers, cartoonists and actors have had their work shot down by the market. What do they do with the rejected pieces of work? If you are smart, you would take it to Jon Friedman, who created a show dedicated to rejection. Jon’s Rejection Show is gaining popularity and is becoming a hot topic. Imagine a show where you can go and present your material that was just shot down and the audience loves it. Loves it? But wait a minute, it was just shot down. How can somebody else really love it?
This is a perfect example of some one else’s garbage being someone else’s treasure. In talking with Jon, here are a few interesting thoughts.
* Most of the people who had their works of art rejected are considered very successful in their own fields. They realize as part of their success, they will be rejected more often than accepted. The thing that separates them from the not-so successful colleagues is they do not let the rejection stop them. In fact, they are fueled to continue on until they are accepted because that is the feeling that motivates them.
* These same people realize their pieces are sometimes rejected for reasons outside of their control. For example, the material might not be right for the venue. The reviewer may be in a bad mood. Sometimes, material will look differently on paper than when it is actually performed. The decision is not made on quality but on personal taste. You can take all of these reasons and add a dozen more from the miscellaneous column and realize that many times, plain luck takes over. You have to have all of your stars in alignment.
* And sometimes, heavens no, the piece you thought so highly of, is just not good enough.
Jon went on to say that the successful artists who perform their rejected pieces in his show have a few things in common. First and foremost is their passion for what they do. Their passion drives them through all of the negativity associated with success. The ones that do it just for the financial reward are not as likely to escape unscathed by rejection. In fact, more often than not, the artists looking for only financial gain are least likely to continue on the path to success after being rejected several times. The last common denominator is the successful artists may take the rejection personally, who wouldn’t? But they get over it by being creative and findings ways of being accepted. They don’t let it stop them.
Thank you Jon Friedman, our Titan Profile of the Month. You have shown us how rejection is a part of every successful person’s game. The only difference is what you do with it. You might as well as turn it into a show, because someone out there is going to like your stuff.
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