An open letter to @JenandChanda re: #FocusRally
Alrite ... so I have keywords set up on my tweetdeck for the #FocusRally ... and I just saw a post from a team that I could not ignore.
Before you go any further ...
Click here to read the post I will be referencing.
It's totally kosher, I'll sit here and wait for you. Doop dee doo ... doo doo dum. Hum hum yum. K, ya back? Awesome sauce.
Ladies, what are you thinking? For reals. Get it together, babes! I'm a finalist too. I totally get the anxiety. It's maddening. You have to understand, this is a casting - and Ford has not publicly said anyone has been picked yet ... so the rest is kinda here say, and you've just gone and said all that? Are you for reals? This is the internet, nothing goes away.
We have no idea what they are looking for - but these things are mostly a numbers game. What type of reach does this individual have in social media? Are they someone the viewers of Hulu can relate to? Are they physically and mentally stable to compete in a high stress competition like this? Someone once told me for the Fiesta Movement they put us through about 40 different groups and types of background checks before we were selected. They check out EVVVEERRRYYYTHIINNGGG, it takes time. Furthermore, the bottom line in all of this is about money. Ford is trying to sell cars, and the creators of the Amazing Race are trying to do something innovative with interactive media. It's NOT about you. I say this all not to put you down in any capacity. In fact, I really do hope you guys get it - you're clearly incredibly passionate individuals. However, I just feel the need to educate, that people can do some really sneaky things in castings. Other competitors might post that they received some sort of special "insider info" to psych you out. Congrats, from the sounds of it - it looks like they got to you.
Take a deep breath, and keep being awesome. Show Ford that you'd be a FANTASTIC candidate if picked, and you won't be a sore sport about the process in general if you aren't chosen. There are so many opportunities in this space right now, I would hope that you guys could take some of that passion and energy into building your brand and exploring more of those options.
I very sincerely do wish you guys well - and really do hope you guys get it ... but man, you just gotta breathe. We're all in this boat, we're all nervous ... but the final decision hasn't been made. Don't make it easier for them by going off the deep end.
If you need to vent, I can offer a helping hand to help appease the nerves. I do some gnarly yoga and meditation - we can just make it a Skype session. =)
JenFriel@TalkNerdyToMeLover.com
#NerdsUnite
