Canadian talent is on the radar – both here and south of the border – more than ever.
The film sets, stages, and red carpets are more exciting than we’ve seen in a while in Hollywood North. Couple that with our city’s thriving arts scene, and it’s an exciting time to work in the Canadian entertainment industry…but it takes a specific type to handle it.
Here are 19 signs you work in the Canadian entertainment industry.
1. You Have Some Sort of Fallback Plan or Side Job
Your parents warned you that this industry wouldn’t be easy. That’s why you have an emergency “Plan B,” (which you better never have to resort to and better not involve a cubicle) or even a side job right now.
2. You’ve Worked in a Restaurant
Speaking of side job, you’ve likely worked at a restaurant in some capacity. And you probably realize now the people skills acquired as a server came in handy in developing your master networker skills.
3. You know what ACTRA Stands For
Not only do you know what ACTRA stands for, you’re probably either in or associated with the Alliance of Canadian Television and Radio Artists.
4. At Least One Person You Know Has Slept with a Major Celebrity
You, or at least one person you know, can add a major celebrity to your list of sexual conquests. The toughest part is getting in front of them, but you’ve got inside access.
5. You Know Exactly Who Sarah Gadon and Tatiana Maslany Are
And have for years now. Obviously.
6. You Spend a Disproportionate Amount of Time Debating Whether to Move to LA
Packing up and heading to LA has either worked out really well or really horribly for the people you know. That’s why it’s a constant debate in your life. If the whole “papers” thing wasn’t such an issue…
7. One of Your Biggest Dreams is that the Junos, Canadian Screen Awards, and ACTRA Awards Could Be as Big of a Deal as their US Counterparts
And that fellow Canadians who aren’t in the industry would actually watch them.
8. You Know that TIFF’s as Much of an Annual Reunion as a Film Festival
When else do you get to bump into the people you went to school with, met at an industry party years ago, worked on a project with, competed for jobs against, couch-surfed in LA with, or even dated, all under one roof?
9. You’ve Worn Torn Denim and Converse to Work
In fact, you’re probably wearing them right now.
10. You’re Quick to Embark on a “Hollywood North” Tangent the Second You Meet an American
And that usually happens after they question what it even means to work in the Canadian “Entertainment Industry.”
11. You Practically Tear Up When a Big Name Feature Film Highlights a Canadian City
This, of course, is in contrast to the years of frustration at the fact that every film set disguised your city in all its glory as something else. There’s a reason you count films like Chloe, The F-Word, and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World among your favourites.
12. Teambuilding With Your Coworkers Has Meant Getting Blackout Drunk
Work events and teambuilding exercises seem to include booze at university years consumption levels. That’s why the stories are always hilarious the next day.
13. You Constantly Have to Explain the Projects You’re Working On to Outsiders
And you sadly find yourself wondering if the only ones who pay attention to the Canadian entertainment industry in the first place are the ones who work in it.
14. You Never Need to Go to the Drug Store
You’re fully stocked in the product department to last a year thanks to all the gift bags at industry parties.
15. You Have a “Friend” Everywhere
Whether you need a hook-up at a New York club, a reservation at a hot new restaurant in your city, or a photographer in a pinch, you know someone for that. After all, networking is how you got this far in the first place.
16. Your Industry Friends Are a Breed of their Own
There’s a big difference between your friends in the industry and those who are not. The former tend to experience cases of “Peter Pan syndrome,” while the latter are really starting to kill your vibe/make you question your life with the dozens of daily pics of their kid.
17. You’ve Hooked Up With at Least One Person You Worked With
And are very suspicious of your colleagues who claim they haven’t.
18. You’ve Been on Twitter Since 2009
And haven’t missed a daily Tweet since.
19. You’re Totally Allowed to Be on Facebook Right Now
Your boss doesn’t care that your social media pages and apps are constantly open; in fact, social media activity is encouraged. It’s all about self-promotion and staying connected, after all.
#NOTABLE
Cover photo from: istock.com
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