Taking Tests, Social Engineering and Acting....

My 2.6 year old daughter was approached by a talent scout in a shopping mall. The friendly man said, "She is cute, she should be in ads or movies." He gave me his card, I gave my number and a few weeks later we had an appointment.

On a lark we went. No money for this my wife and I agreed. It is either a scam or an adventure.

When we got there the agent said "Before they can read, they only go off looks and you never know what they want. But you (considering me) could be an Italian, Latin, French, Irish ..... 30% of all movies are film in Utah because its a non-union state and all they have here are blond haired blue eyes. You have a real shot.

He asked me to read a few lines but here is the good part. During this interview the agent subtly explained two things; "When they ask you to mark, say your name and the agent that represents you" the second; "Don't memorize the lines, just do the scene".

After some more small talk about what extras are paid and so on, he gave me the lines and left the room. My assignment was to look them over for awhile and prepare a short demonstration.

When he came back in he said "Mark!" I stated my name and his company. "Action when ready". He was clearly just seeing if I could follow the most basic of instructions. Internaly I laughed because so many of my students are too busy checking email or sharpening their highlighter weapons to listen. I notice this and utilize the data in every class.

I read the scene, I sucked because I was being tested. Just playing around for fun I could do that scene pretty well. I thought about students taking tests, its not much different really. During class reviews we prove this over and over that when not being tested people usually exceed expectations.

He said "Let me help you and lets try this again...." then he proceeded to create an emotional place I really didn't want to go that fit the words of the script. I did better this time, but still with hesitation and again didn't follow the second instruction. I tried to memorize and pass the test rather than just doing it.

He tried to sell me acting classes.

This is what trainers understand; some students come to learn and others come to be made to realize they already "know" and just have to be more flexible. In both cases, the mind has to be opened and challenged, made uncomfortable at times, then encouraged.

Its far easier on my side of the projector where I usually sit.

We went there on a lark because my daughter was recognized in a mall and what parent doesn't think their kid is a potential rock star? The switch happened and perhaps I was the target all along. Clever social engineering notwithstanding the price is actually reasonable. Not every risk is a threat; I might do it just for fun. If I start acting out movie scenes in my classes like my friend and mentor Larry does, you will now understand where this comes from.

What I took away from this most of all was a reminder I give to you: Next time you take a test, don't be tested, just answer the questions and see where you are. You might pass or you might fail this particular benchmark, but that is all it is. You ultimately decide your own settings and spoil in the rewards of earning having exceeded them.

But you first must play the scene and find out where you rest.