The Business of the Business

This is really really nerdy, but lately I have been fascinated with what's happening in the financial markets and its ripple - no, tidal wave - effects on our $13 trillion (that's trillion with a T) economy. Trillion. That is 12 zeros following that $13. I can't even fathom that many zeros after a number.

But I digress. See, a mere year ago, our economy produced $13 trillion - our GDP (so says the World Factbook). In a very oversimpified explanation, that's the value of all the goods and services our hard work provides. The proceeds from the sale of these products funnels back into the economy as businesses produce even more products that require advertising so consumers will purchase. And that advertising requires writers and directors and producers and editors and actors...and that includes voice over actors.

It's called show business for a reason. What happens to our business, when other businesses who feed ours are failing and faltering? Well, for some of us, nothing. Those who have solvent clients are still viable and hiring us to work and helping us all to be productive members of the economy. But what if you're the voice or face of AIG (who just pulled all of their advertising, since their very recent and massive federal bailout)? Nothing happens in a vacuum, and this stuff trickles down....fast.

All of a sudden, you're no longer the voice or face of anything, and back to pounding the pavement in search of a new client. And when the clients that are available have reined in their advertising budgets "just in case" the markets hit even choppier waters, well...there's less business to be had. Artists in show business are used to pounding the pavement, but now...it will take more energy, more effort, more time, more cold calls, more auditions... just to land that next gig.

It sounds crappy, and yeah, it is. But this is the kind of situation that begets creativity. Lots and lots of it. It's a time to retrench, take stock and open up our eyes, ears and imaginations to invent what we might have once thought impossible. And turn this tidal wave of events from something that could temporarily drown us into something we can surf safely to shore.

So to my friends (in all industries) who are feeling a bit queasy from this strange state of economic affairs, let's all pray for a calming of the tides very soon. And in the meantime, keep breathing, keep dreaming and pass the Dramamine.