Sunday, May 13, 2007

Perception

Showbusiness can be a business of perception.  It's kinda like saying to the world that you have an 8-incher when in fact, you only got 6.


It's magic... plenty of smoke and mirrors.  It's airbrushed photos, stylists, make-up artists and hairdressers... it's lighting and the right angles... it's a lot of things that have nothing to do with talent, drive, determination, ambition, basic good looks, and perseverance.


Sounds discouraging, doesn't it?


It doesn't have to be... I'm one of the old fogies that feel that at the foundation of it all, under all the smoke and great lighting, one's talent, drive and ambition wins out over everything.  That this is what will keep artists from becoming one-hit wonders.  It's what determines an artist's longevity.  It's what will separate the men and women from the boys and girls.


It's frustrating when I find that the more talented folks don't get as many breaks as those who have a fraction of their gifts.  It's cruel and unfair.  However, I have faith in audiences that ultimately, they pick those who are deserving of the attention and accolades.

35 comments:

mm ruth said...

congratulations on your nomination on broadway.com's audience awards. god i can't wait for this year's tony awards =)

oh and happy mother's to you and advance(?) happy birthday to your beautiful little girl. Godspeed!

arkitekfhc . said...

Unfortunately, show business has become so political and politics create fortunes of favors. What is a trend to the masses can be a hit wonder regardless of the level of talent or the lack of it. Just look at a certain blonde socialite. True talent is what defines an artiste's longevity in the business. You're right, it's not a fair in this business but, we'll hope and pray that you get all the breaks....because you deserve it.

Franco L. said...

Well said Lea! I totally agree with you on that! And also keeping your own feet on the ground.

aleisej g said...

absolutely!!!i do agree ms.lea...but i wish you everything..by the way a Happy Mother's Day to you poh..take care always

aleisej g said...

yes!nowadays,i'm seeing more people in the industry...yeah they have the talents and the guts but some of them don't use their talents wisely..and that's why,very few people stays long in the industry,

XXXX YYYY said...

"Showbusiness can be a business of perception. It's kinda like saying to the world that you have an 8-incher when in fact, you only got 6."

I hear ya! :) And conratulations Lea... SALUDOS!

Blueboy Blueboy said...

I like 8".....Kinda' like my nose!..... Maybe I can go F&%K myself....

Chino Hernandez said...

I agree Ms. Lea.

Linnor Rapes said...

Happy Mothers Day!!!

James Schaefer said...

Hi Lea,

I could not agree with you more. The same is true in many other walks of life, but just not as visible or extreme. I saw your performance on Friday May 11 and was fortunate to be sitting orchestra stage left on the aisle in the first row! You and the rest of the cast were terrific!

The most impressive part of the evening was at the stage door after the show. I, along with at least 100 other theatergoers, waited at the door to catch a glimpse and maybe say hello. Many times I have waited similarly after a show only to have the performers quickly go directly to the waiting limo. I was so impressed with all the cast members, but mostly with you.

You very patiently met each and every person that was waiting, providing autographs and photos. It was only after all those waiting had their opportunity to meet you that you casually walked across the street to your waiting car. During the time our photo was taken, I asked you if it was like that every night and you responded "yes...sometimes much crazier!" It's hard to imagine, but I am sure you do the same at every performance. Here is the photo from last Friday.



As a self-described "Old Fogey" it is clear you have taken the high road during your career and it was best demonstrated as I watched you after your show, interacting with those that appreciate you. If the crowd at the stage door is any indication, your faith in the audience is a mutual feeling. They respond to you because you understand the big picture, you have integrity and they feel you care.

Take care and happy mother's day,

Jim

XXXX YYYY said...

korek ka dyan! Well, just be thankful that you are so blessed.

Cory Carlick said...

Hi there, I found your blog a few days ago, quite by accident. After popping by here and there, I thought I'd leave a comment, especially on this topic. I would definitely agree about the smoke and mirrors. As a producer in a production company expected to assist with casting, I see tons of talented people every single day that really have it going for them -- but haven't yet gotten their break. It feels great when you know you've selected the right person for the job, but often times you have to turn away an incredibly talented person, and when it is, it's usually for one tiny little thing (the look's not right, has a vocal quirk not suitable to that character, politics, etc.).

I've also seen producers with very little tact rip apart talented people unnecessarily. Yes, it's a rough business, but rest assured there are good people in high places that will toss a talented person a rope (for genuine reasons!) It's just a matter of finding those types of people. Granted, my background is in television in Canada, rather than theatre so I don't have the authority to speak about it. (I'm a fan of theatre, though -- and a fan of yours as well. I used to write soundtracks and jingles for TV/radio before I became a producer, largely because when I was a kid I used to listen to Phantom/Miss Saigon/Les Mis. It wasn't until a lot later I figured out that it was you I was listening to in Miss Saigon!)

There's some good sides to showbiz though, I've had the chance to work with some wonderfully talented people and some very cool characters -- and I met my fiance on a production! It's also really cool to be able to work with an idol since childhood, and I've had a lot of opportunities to do that. But it takes a lot of perserverance. I've lost track of how many doors I had to bang on before I got in. :) But I firmly believe with enough talent and drive, you can make it. I usually tell people that come in for readings if you can make it through a bad audition and go to another, it's just a matter of when, not if. So far experience has proven me right. :)

Have a great day and I'm glad you have a blog. Keep singing!

Cory Carlick, Skycron
Toronto, Canada
www.skycron.com

XXXX YYYY said...

Lately though, it's been all about the clothes, the make-up, the brands, the style, and if you look "hot" or not. Image I think plays a big part in showbiz here and abroad. Really destroys the real magic that showbiz is supposed to have.

Cory Carlick said...

That's true pretty much everywhere, I think. I think producers are only shooting themselves with that, though, especially when it comes to the casting calls -- you get someone dressed to the nines, florid; you know, "Anita dawwwwwling..." it's easy to get distracted from the performance. But once they're cast and you realize it's just the ability that gets projected on screen, then you've got a BIG problem. (That, an ACTRA/AFTRA doesn't like it when you decide to change your casting decisions once they're made, and not that I can say I really blame them! :)

You know, the glamour/image thing, it's not going to go away immediately, but it goes in phases, I think. It's cyclical like anything else in showbiz -- what's old is new again and all that jazz. Ah well, c'est la vie, I suppose.

Cory Carlick, Skycron
Toronto, Canada
www.skycron.com

Net Frondell said...

Hi Lea,

Just dropping' by to say Hi! Thank you for sharing yourself to all the fans through your
multiply and my space sites. I always visit your site and wait for updates! I hope you will do a musical play (again) in London in the future. We were in New York 2 years ago but I think you were in the Philippines, so we had to watch another musical play. But I hope to be able to watch you in the future. You have a GREAT gift and talent! Blessings!

Net
Stockholm, Sweden

joy weimer said...

just be true to yourself. That's how I got to be your fan.

Hill Top said...

not a single nomination for Les Miz on the Tonys... and The Pirate Queen was completely snubbed! Does the American Theatre Wing hold something against Boublil and Schonberg? Hehehe!

Click here and comment... What u like... said...

I have two requests, Ms. Lea :

1. Have a show with Michelle Kwan

2. Play Ariel in "The Little Mermaid"

Does everybody agree with me ?! I really want us all to petition these shows to Disney.

Thanks all...

orchid jolie said...

When I read your comment, I Laugh out loud. The idea of Ms. Lea on skates while singing pop in my head and I think I blanked for second there. That would be a blast! I'll pay my year's earnings to see that! But I think I'll just take the 2nd one. Heh!

And yes, I agree with Ms. Lea, there are a lot of talented and deserving artist that haven't been offered with such an oppurtunity and there are even more who was given an opportunity just because of their looks. (sigh) Sad but I hate to admit but that usually how it works. I keep on humming Pink's song that says "You'll be a popstar, all you have to change is everything you are.." . Sooooo true!

Oh well.. Congrats Ms. Lea! You rock!

satomi w said...

I totally agree w/ you Lea...showbiz stinks. hehehe Thanks to the producers who have a keen eye on great talents (like you) and for giving them a chance to shine!

satomi w said...

jimmyleo...that is so true and that's why i love lea. she takes the time to sign autographs and poses for picures w/ her fans.

XXXX YYYY said...

Well said!

XXXX YYYY said...

Perception: VAVAVOOM...
cnung manang sinasabi nyo dyan? ^-^

**déesse **. F. said...

wowwww!!! lovely pic:-)

Arlene Teves-Du said...

Ganda naman ng picture na ito!

Arlene Teves-Du said...

Lea, among your contemporaries, I'd say you're the only one that's an artist to the core, and you're truly one of greatest artists our country ever had. YOU make us really proud!

Rico del Rosario said...

"...one's talent, drive and ambition wins out over everything."

Your career more than proves this. And like a trailblazer you continue to clear and give light to the path for many fledgling artists who long for nothing but integrity in their art and creativity. Thank you.

Chinky Fuentes said...

I'm so impressed with the pic. Definitely, NOT manang! Congratulations, Lea, on your nomination on broadway.com's audience awards.

JANE AREJOLA said...

very well said ms lea... have a nice day!

Marisol Galang said...

Hi Lea,
You always make us proud to be a Filipino. We watch you last May 11 performed as Fantine in Les Miz in Broadhurst theater, Manhattan, NYC as an advance Mother's day gift for my 78 year old mother in-law who was always dreaming of watching you perform. It was a dream come true for her especially having her pic taken with you after the show. For me and my husband, the best scene in the play was your dying scene...we think that was the highlight. Of all the female performers, you have the most powerful voice as well as the best stage actress. We hope you get to play more roles in Broadway because you are simply one of the best...! I was so overwhelmed and excited seeing you that I was so speechless and was not able to pose right and smile before the camera but anyway, my mother in law is just so excited that I have to framed the photo with you with her even if I do not look good in the photo. Thanks for signing an autograph for us as well as posing for a photo with us. Belated happy b-day to your daughter Nic. Thanks for making us proud to be a Filipino....Mabuhay!

Rico del Rosario said...

People actually think I have an eight. I wish. I'm really just a six. Sigh.

P Vicente-Mena said...

I had my doubts about this during American Idol when I thought Sanjaya actually had a shot at winning. Thank heavens they did go for someone with talent in the end!

diane frances said...

ms, lea is bewitchingly beautiful!!!

diane frances said...

ms. lea is bewitchingly beautiful!!!

diane frances said...

what a great idea!..i love to hear her singing Part of Your World!!!