Before the Opportunity: Are You Really Ready for the Next Level?

Talent matters. But after more than 30 years working professionally in the entertainment industry, one thing I have learned is that talent alone isn't always what determines whether an artist moves forward.

Sometimes the most valuable question an artist can ask isn't simply:

“Am I talented enough?”

Instead, ask yourself:

“Is there anything standing between me and the next level—and can I address it before the opportunity arrives?”

That is an important part of how I think about Artist Development.

What Could Be Standing Between You and a “Yes”?

When an artist is preparing for an important audition, meeting, performance, recording opportunity or professional presentation, I believe it's important to look at the bigger picture.

What could potentially cause someone to say no?

What might be keeping an otherwise talented artist from being perceived at the professional level they want to reach?

What qualities are professionals looking for when an artist walks into an important meeting or opportunity?

And, most importantly:

What can the artist work on now so those issues don't stand in the way later?

There is no formula that guarantees success in the entertainment industry. Every artist is different, every career is different, and every professional making a decision has his or her own perspective.

But experience matters. And above all, get really good at what you do.

Talent may get someone's attention, but developing your craft, preparing professionally and continuing to grow are what help you become ready when the right opportunity comes along.

More Than 30 Years of Professional Experience

Throughout my career, I have worked with and alongside record label executives, managers, top talent agents, record producers, Grammy Award-winning producers and songwriters, and many other entertainment professionals.

My perspective also comes from my own professional experience as an artist.

I have spent years as a professional recording artist, performed leading roles in Equity and other professional theatre productions, and appeared in a variety of professional shows and performances.

I understand firsthand what it means to be the artist—to walk into the audition, enter the recording studio, step onto the stage, work with accomplished professionals and be expected to deliver.

For 30 years, I have also produced my own professional industry showcases for the artists I develop, bringing them together with hundreds of industry professionals over the years, including agents, managers, producers and other entertainment executives and decision-makers.

I've also had the opportunity to help many different types of creative professionals throughout my career, including singers, recording artists, singer-songwriters, actors, comedians, authors, illustrators, producers and writers.

All of those experiences have given me a broad perspective on what professionals may be looking for—and what an artist may need to strengthen before an important opportunity arrives.

I don't claim to know everything. No one does.

But after three decades of being an artist myself, developing other artists, producing professional showcases, attending industry meetings and interacting with hundreds of entertainment professionals, I know a great deal about what it takes to be prepared when an opportunity presents itself.

Preparation Before Presentation

One of my goals in Artist Development is to help an artist become as prepared as possible before an important opportunity arrives.

That doesn't mean trying to turn an artist into someone they're not.

In fact, I believe the opposite.

The goal is to help an artist become a stronger, more confident and professionally prepared version of who they already are—while recognizing areas that may need further development before they are presented professionally.

That can require looking at the artist as a whole rather than focusing on one individual skill.

My role isn't to do the work for an artist.

The artist still has to do the work.

The artist has to bring the talent, commitment, discipline, creativity and willingness to grow.

My role is to bring decades of professional experience, perspective, artistic and creative direction, and career guidance—to help an artist recognize what may need attention and guide them as they work toward becoming better prepared for the opportunities they're pursuing.

Sometimes having an experienced professional in your corner—someone who believes in your potential while also helping you recognize what may still need to be developed—can make an enormous difference.

Talent Can Open the Door. Are You Ready When It Does?

You cannot control every decision that a record label executive, manager, agent, producer, casting professional or other entertainment professional will make.

But you can work toward becoming the strongest, most prepared and most professionally developed version of yourself before you ask someone to make that decision.

That's one of the things I care most about after more than three decades in this business:

Helping talented people prepare for the opportunities they want—so that when the right door opens, they're ready to walk through it.

Do you want to move to the next level?

For more information about Valerie Fahren's professional Artist Development programs in Los Angeles and online, visit www.valeriefahren.com and send an email through the CONTACT page.

Valerie Fahren
Artist Development Specialist • Record Producer • Professional Singer • Grammy-Nominated Music Educator