When I first moved to Malibu several years ago, I heard an expression “in the industry” that I had never heard even once before while living back East. “In the industry” seemed to apply to virtually everybody I met. “She’s in the industry,” I was told. “And that fellow is in the industry,” somebody explained. All I could think is this industry sure employs a whole lot of people.
It soon became apparent that this industry was the entertainment industry and the people I was meeting were entertainment lawyers, musicians, producers, directors, stunt car drivers—why the list was absolutely endless. No wonder the credits after a movie seem to go on longer than the movie. I once stayed in a movie theater until the credits were completely over only to find the sun had risen on a new day.
I must confess that coming into contact with all these people “in the industry” was a bit daunting. I don’t know the first thing about the theater, movies, television or the rest of the business. I don’t know stage right from stage left, haven’t a clue what a gaffer or a grip is, and to be perfectly candid, I don’t want to know.
When people speak shop in my presence, I simply fade out (I think that is a term used in the industry). I don’t know anything about ratings or who was nominated for best supporting actress in a movie. I live in blissful ignorance. I may not be the only person in Malibu who is not “in the industry,” but sometimes I feel like I am the one and only.
And then I had one of my epiphanies! I am not only “in the industry” but am in reality the most important Malibuite “in the industry.” Without me, there would be no industry. All the actors, and set designers, and caterers to the stars would be on the unemployment line. You see I am the consumer, the customer. If no person is buying those tickets to the concert, turning on the tube, going to the movies—then there is no entertainment industry. It’s as simple as that.
So the next time I attend a party where I am introduced to a writer or to a music arranger, I will not be intimidated. Rather I will shake hands and announce proudly that I am “in the industry” also.