If youre new to AD to VA or really any art please know

YOU DO NOT:

- Have to have a ton of money to create (the term indie is oft applied too liberally- its easy to see shows with big budgets & be discouraged)

- Have to feel guilty for reaching out to others for guidance

1/

(I know there at times seems to be trend of those who have 'made it' setting etiquette rules for those of us still trying to start w/o realizing the inherent privilage of peer fraternal clique mentality - which means my group made it & now tell those starting out rules we
2/

never had to adhere to... like Inclusion... while very trendy now- there are many shows that lack diversity gender/race/sexuality wise that Because they were first got away with it and can now tell others unless you meet XYZ expectations we wont grant you our blessing, or
3/

tell others who are starting out 'dont ask us who made it questions because thats on you and its parasocial behavior'...unless its "love a black" blm trendy times /then/ its okay - and not only okay BUT I will make sure to shout how I helped out blacks on main so ppl can see)
4/

But...I digress.

-Need to hire only union members for cast/crew. While I fully support unions inide budgets do not allow for that, many indie actors arent in positions to apply to a union given location, day job, finances, etc

-Need to feel that narration is a lesser art
5/

-to crowd fund. Paying for art out of pocket is the age old artist struggle. Rarely does other indie art ask for payment/investment upfront as a means to create art. Artists buy their materials, Friends bring their own instruments to start a garage band, etc.
6/

(Theres nothing wrong with crowd funding of course but dont let that intimidate you or hold you back from finding like minded folk who want to create art together for the sake of art)

-Have to make this a career. Its okay to dabble, to enjoy creating w/o needing to go full in
7/

Theres NOTHING WRONG with anyone who does any of the above (minus anyone being pretentious & gatekeepy or woke for performative sake)

But as someone who was new a yr ago I wanted to say you have full permission to not do all the things the community can make it feel is required