I wanted to write this post not as a performer, but as a business owner. Here is what I’ve learned about surviving (and thriving) in 2024 and beyond. There is a misconception that longevity in this space is purely physical. That is a lie. The performers who last are the ones who understand contracts, royalties, and marketing funnels. I didn’t start making real money until I stopped treating this like a gig and started treating it like a tech startup.
I read my contracts now. I negotiate my usage rights. And I advise every new talent who asks me: Do not let a production company own your future. When you are in front of the lens, you are a puppet. You are performing a fantasy written by someone else. When I moved to the director’s chair, I finally got to tell the stories I wanted to tell. pamela rios
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