Make up the rest

• Make up the rest

I enjoy what I do and how I got there. When I do reflect, I realize there is a lot going on for this resilient entertainer. Setbacks are inevitable. They could come in shapes of cars breaking down, money not coming in, people falling short of their efforts. So much could happen. If we are that passionate about making something of our life we must push on if we are to succeed. We can only work a plan so much, the rest, we must make up. Nothing in this world will ever want what I want more than me. Rely on yourself, your efforts. Extra help, as it comes, is a bonus. Waiting for a miracle to happen from something or someone slows the process.

Inaction of progress, when things slow down, is my fault. It's that simple. If I'm not provoking, doing, or being proactive, then inaction of progress is on me. What I do is different than most people. There are tasks I complete to a point, which were taught to me, that it feels, at times, that I am making up the rest. Truth is, there is nothing made up. I look around, listen to, and deal with people all the time. They are jaded, or stuck in their ways. This method was taught to them by themselves based on “ideas”, thoughts & possible epiphany of this business we call entertainment. It's not my job to judge them. It's my job to keep moving forward.

There's so many opportunities to ignore opposition on my opinion. I get attacked and judged fairly often. It could be my positive attitude. Worse, it could be because I think outside the box. That scares people more when things are happen for me and they can't believe their eyes. How can this guy be doing this? To them I am talentless, short cut taking, non-aware of the “art” of entertainment. My business sense is shun. Weird, all successful people do what I do. Not that they are following my steps, but more like I am following theirs! Learn from the doers, not the don'ts. If all else fails, make up the rest.

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

Straight Man in a Queer World

• Straight Man in a Queer World

I'm known as an unconventional doer. An outside the box kind of tinkerer. My methods are always questionable from any first encounter with new people. My philosophy is “Why listen to a NO when you can turn it into a YES!” Truth of the matter is, most NO's are the beginning of a conversation. To me, a no is beautiful. It motivates me. A no could come in different forms as well. “You are not good enough”, “That will never work”, “This is the way it is done.” Well, how about “There are no walls, only solutions”!? Make your path happen by being proactive. That's my secret. All Nos in my life are really hiding under a soon to be Yes.

Through maintaining a plan I have accomplished a lot in my time, as short as it has been. When you look at action in life there are two ways about it; This way or that way. I like it both ways. Become the water, as Bruce Lee once said. Take the best things from every aspect of success and focus it into one big pile of “Can Do” actionable attitude. When I am told I am doing things outside the box, I realize it is true because most people put themselves into this majority box of tasks. They live by an uneducated way of life encompassed by “This is how it's done”. This knowledge is past down from one person doing it incorrectly to the next. How can insanity be fixed if you are listening to insane teachers?

If you can't except that there is a better way than your “10 years doing it the same way but have yet to get anywhere while working your dead-end day job, which you hate, but the hell with it, I'll be discovered if I keep at it this way” why not stop what you're doing and say to yourself “Maybe there is something I can learn”. First, definitely say that out loud and believing it. Next, learn from the best. Study people who have become successful and follow their path with alterations based on your personal life. Finally, there is no short cut. You want the long dollar to life. Your career is based on hard work, not quick shots. 15 minutes of fame is not all it's cracked up to be.

"The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus." ~ Bruce Lee

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour I Am On)

The Trap

• The Trap

In performance entertainment there is a thing I call “The Trap”. It is as dangerous as getting stuck in quicksand. Mind you, at least quicksand may kill you. “The Trap” will let you live jaded to what was once fun! A few forms of this trap are out there but ultimately they are all the same. You can place yourself into the trap. You could be tricked into the trap by others. Worst case scenario you convince yourself that being caught in the trap is a good thing. There is a future out there for people in entertainment. Trust me, I know. I am living proof. My fear is that people forget they have a choice. There is opportunities out there that will lead them into the unknown world of success!

Most commonly “The Trap” is any performance you are asked to bring people or for you to buy pre-sale tickets to perform at said venue without being compensated. Pay to Play is illegal because you must be compensated for your time or in this case, service. Bring 10 people + 4 performers = 40 person audience. You brought 10 + $10 door + drinks and food ($20 more) = $30 a person. You earned $300 and are paid $0.00 for your performance time. If this makes you happy, then throw a BBQ for friends and family, feed them and perform for a charge of $5 a person. You earn 100% for your time! If friends and family come to see you that's not building a fan-base. That and a real fan base is done through marketing, not performing. (kind of).

If you feel you will make a killing by asking your friends to perform and they will bring 10 people each you are falling for the same trap, except you are setting up THE TRAP for them. Feeling you will grow your audience because each performer is bringing 10 people is delusional unless you have marketing/branding material to hand out after each show. Even a “visit my site” business card does wonders for you! Let them remember you with an item. Most of the time, friends and family of other performers don't even want to be there let alone want to see you perform. Break free of THE TRAP. Know your rights, and know your value. Be the cause of your worth through Networking, Marketing, and Practicing!

There is more to the business of entertainment than performing. The performing is the fun part, not the business...

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Twitter (My personal twitter)
• Youtube (I make stupid videos)

Facebook:

• Thomas J. Bellezza (My entertainer page)
• BBR Productions Inc. (My production company)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Make A Right Left Here TV (My web based TV show)
• Lord Telmorn Altayon (A character I write about, the first God)
• Altayon (My Theatrical Progressive Metal Band)
• StupidAssQuestions.com (I am a contributor)

Experiment

• Experiment

Making the world go round one day at a time. When I was 17 I dropped out of high school leaving for the world of music. I believed I would one day become successful solely on the fact that I was “awesome”, “amazing”, and “unique”. At such a young age how was I suppose to know everyone is unique, some truly amazing, and anyone who is creating expression through any art form is awesome! Needless to say, I had a band “TENEbRAE” and with my newly found friend playing drums and me on guitar. I had the world in front of me.

Truth be told, I was no where near being successful based on how Uniquely awesome my amazing talents were. Because they weren't. I was on par with everyone else who worked hard for their craft. So what changed? 7 years into playing with this band I began studying success. I learned the value of running it like a business. Once this happened, I began playing festivals, touring, got to play Canada, and even sat down to workout a record deal. All in 3 years worth of effort as a business.

10 years in music and I was done. I just didn't have the drive for it anymore. Short story; I walked away from it all. I continued to run BBR Productions Inc. so I may work on projects I enjoyed: Organizing shows to raise money for Cancer, and MS. While also working with other entertainers to help them make things happen based on my personal experience. I turned BBR Productions Inc. into a strong Consulting, Marketing and Development company. After 15 years of running my business I opened up a theater, for a total of 17 years thus far. I am Still working hard, and enjoying my freedom.

Yes, I closed down my theater, but I am still running BBR Productions Inc. and jumping back into the world of entertainment as an entertainer myself. I have been out of the spotlight for far to long. I love making people react to an emotion; be it music, comedy, acting, writing, or the beauty of art. This is where I belong. But Experiment? What is that about? Since 2007 I have enjoyed a life of casually being involved with projects but never took it seriously. A few of my clients, and some potential clients ask me, from time to time, “If you know how to do it why are you not doing it?”

Well... I told them it was easy, so it is only right that I prove that my methods, teachings, philosophies, and the power of living your life like a business truly works. Proof is in the pudding? 6 months ago I made a decisions to be more than just a person who helps individuals, or business, achieve their goals. Between TV Scripts, Reality shows, a comedy tour, my new band, finishing a book, acting, joining the actor's union, maintaining a growing company, building my brand value on line, and truly loving the fun of it in less than 6 months... I would say my theory that it takes 365 days is on par.

Bring reality to your dreams before you become stuck in the nightmare of a life you never wanted!

So, my experiment is working. Watch what I am doing, learn from it, make it happen for yourself. Instead of judging, or making fun of it, ask questions. Think about what is being completed. Remember, we learn from listening not ignoring. I want people to succeed. I am not here to fight with anyone. And if you ever need help, I am a phone call, email, or building location away!

Links to find Thomas J. Bellezza •

• Make A Right Left Here (My official page website)
• BBR Productions Inc. (Direct company link)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Twitter (My personal twitter)
• Youtube (I make stupid videos)

Facebook:

• Thomas J. Bellezza (My entertainer page)
• BBR Productions Inc. (My production company)
• Top Of The Bottom Pile (Comedy Tour)
• Make A Right Left Here TV (My web based TV show)
• Lord Telmorn Altayon (A character I write about, the first God)
• Altayon (My Theatrical Progressive Metal Band)
• StupidAssQuestions.com (I am a contributor)