PUNCTUALITY: The 5 P's of Professionalism

A few years ago I was teaching one of my Focused Teen Workshop classes and we were speaking about all of our human behaviors and idiosyncrasies that make our characters interesting and more believable.  After pointing our some of the idiosyncrasies that I noticed in my actors, I asked my actors if I had any.  I was secretly testing their observation skills and modeling my own teaching expectations.  One of my regular actors said "Oh that's easy, Hodge."  "Oh, really?" I replied. "So what is it."  They went on to say that I take my glasses off, put them down somewhat dramatically and rub the insides of my eyes at the bridge of my nose when I am frustrated, annoyed or holding back on yelling or some outburst.  I laughed  and was very proud of them, because they were able to pick that behavior AND motivation out.  It was funny because I wasn't even aware that I did that.  To this day, I think of them every time the "glasses come off."  


As I think about the 5 P's of Professionalism, there is really only one that makes me take my glasses off in unadulterated frustration.  Individuals who are lazy with their time.  For most, punctuality is associated with showing up in time or on time.  This is still very true, agreed.  But punctuality to me is more than showing up to rehearsal or call on time.  It also means being punctual with your communication.  I've found that email is almost a dead medium for many young people.  They just don't seem to check it often.  Texting, Facebook and Twitter (Tumblr?) are turning in to the most effective way of communicating about schedules, classes, etc.  Regardless of what medium is used to communicate, punctuality with responses are key.  So many things in the entertainment business rely on schedules, time commitments and team players so clearly communication is the key to a successful run of any show or class.  


Punctuality is my second P of Professionalism because so much relies on being on time.  Being on time for rehearsals and class, being on time with communication, being on time with your performances, being on time with your lines and being on time for your auditions.  Now, I understand that things happen and emergencies come up.  I get that.  I hope everyone understands that.  But the old addage of "the show must go on" is an old addage for a reason: it's true.  Directors, teachers and producers don't have time to wait around for people and their inability to be on time.  We understand the emergency.  We don't understand the consistent lack of punctuality that is unexplained or poorly explained.  I tell my actors all of the time that if they don't make time management and punctuality important, someone else is and someone else will.  They will lose out to people who are better time managers.  Talent is great, but divas can be a pain to work with.  Give me the more prepared and punctual actor with a budding, but unpolished talent, and I can work with that.   


Want to be a professional?  Want people to think of you as a professional?  BE PREPARED AND BE PUNCTUAL.