As faithful Catholics, we’d like to think that if we had success in Hollywood, we’d behave better than those libertine, licentious types that seem to populate the town (I say “seem,” because there are more good folks than you know, although far fewer than we need).
We also know, as faithful Catholics, that we’re all sinners, and we’re as likely as anyone to be tempted by the world. But as we’re often reminded, someone living an amoral life may seem to be happy and successful on the outside, but the inside can be quite another matter. This bit of wisdom is not foreign to Hollywood either — the real trick is getting someone to admit it.
For the last few years on Twitter, @MysteryExec has been laying down the straight skinny on Tinseltown. We still don’t know exactly who he is — and if he’s an antique-coin dealer in Des Moines, he’s a great, undiscovered fiction writer — but he’s on a mission to turn the tinsel into tinder and expose what lies behind it.
In a Nov. 2013 essay at TribecaFilm.com, he explained his rationale behind the account:
The reason I started an anonymous Twitter account was to bring something back that I missed about the movies: magic and mystery. I never knew if the account would take off in any way outside of a handful of folks who stumbled onto it early on, but it became something I never expected. Something unexpected happened: I started giving a sh*t. People felt empowered.
At first, it was an amusing way to vent about everything that bothered me in this town while shuffling between projects. I don’t remember how the rest of the Mystery brand (if that’s even a thing) happened – who came next or who will be the next to hopefully feel empowered by anonymity.
I feel like I have an obligation to give a sh*t because getting people excited is important and will only breed better material. Selfishly, I just want to see (and make) better movies. It doesn’t matter who’s behind the @MysteryExec curtain.
Today (Tuesday, March 3), he went on a tweet-rant about success, the illusion of success, and surviving your own success (and the inevitable failures in between). Here it is, edited for clarity and content, repackaged in paragraph form:
“Pick your battles.” No. Choose better teams, teammates, associates, and friends. Conflict happens. Get people who maintain cool heads around you as much as possible. Let the loud, kindhearted ones be your Ads [assistant directors]. This is why age helps. You’ve already met & vetted the a**holes you don’t want to work with. And there are quiteeeee a few.
Generals are great b/c while some are future employers, it also lets you see who you mesh with. And when that person movies to a company that isn’t making flicks about talking dogs, babies, or recycled/rebooted tripe, you kids can play in the same sandbox. The company may suck, but the individual might be incredible.
The older you get, the more you’ll realize the ones who boast mostvaccomplish the least. You see who’s fraternizing & out on the town every night — hitting up every popular club trying to get in the general vicinity of someone important. You see them posting that sh*t to social media. Maybe you’re looking for a pseudo-“Entourage” experience. You’re young. Sure.
Find people on your level & find the people who got into it for the right reasons. Not the person who can get you courtside Lakers tickets. Okay, take the courtside seats once. You’ve earned it,
The illusion of success is soooooo not critical. Be successful by doing the work. Watching people trying to embrace the cliché version of Hollywood is what leads to bankruptcy. The silverspoon kids can afford to blow cash. It’s just a game to them. Always will be. No real risk. It all seems silly. But you get caught up in it. Especially when you’re under 40 and living in a fast-moving town.
I’m not telling you to save all your money, cuz let’s be real, you’re not taking it with you to the grave. So do enjoy it when you earn it. There are lots of people with awful career/financial advice who hover the minute you’re making $$$$$$. 99 [times] out [of] 100, they’re going to have “ideas.” It’s your cash. Don’t be swayed by sexy promises. Those people bury themselves deep early-on. “I was around before you made it.” “I built you.” etc. It’s all bullsh*t. What’s yours is yours & F**K anybody who tries to tell you what to do with it.
It can all go away so fast. Don’t forget the lean years. Don’t forget when you could barely find a buddy’s couch to crash on. Don’t forget that time you ate Slim Jims for a week. Say no. Don’t let them take advantage of your financial situation. And free work will always cost somebody something.
You don’t need to go out every night to make new friends or contacts or to cement some bullsh*t “lifestyle.” “Let’s do drinks” is the phrase. Beat it out of your head. It’s a kind thought, but rarely leads to anything but an STD test.
And while you’re following @MysteryExec, try @MysteryVP and @MysteryScriptReader as well. The language warning goes without saying — it’s Hollywood, after all.
Image: Homepage of @MysteryExec on Twitter
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