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...networking isn't just about meeting people. It’s about building genuine professional relationships. The challenge is that authenticity has its own etiquette. Industry professionals can usually tell the difference between curiosity and strategy, and the strongest networking happens when the two naturally overlap.

I’m curious, if you’re an actor, singer, engineer, composer, dancer, animator — or like, pursue anything in the arts, can you recall a note you’ve received in the past, or a special nugget of wisdom from a mentor that you can say has genuinely helped shape your craft for the better? A note that’s inspired you to strive to be the best artist you can be? On the flip side…have you received a note that felt like a personal attack or perhaps has made you question your worth as an artist? 

I’m sick of news headlines…I feel like our collective day to day we’ve experienced so far this decade has been mainline quest after mainline quest after ...phew, that was a close one, let’s refuel and stock up on new gear—wait why are all the prices so high?!— oh hey look, a new mainline quest…! It’s beyond easy to feel hypervigilant about everything going on in games & entertainment…with rapidly advancing tech, layoffs, the constant analysis of what content gets made and why, the economy, how audiences consume media—you name it. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone! I also often find myself lost in the sauce! (If this doesn’t sound like you, don’t be shy, what is your secret??)

Listen, I don’t know about you, but I feel like the definition of “networking” has taken on a new meaning. I mean, what even is the concept of networking? Do I have to hand out business cards like I’m throwing shurikens at new clients? Should we have an elevator pitch ready to recite spelling bee style? At THN, we love being in a position where we get to be in the business, and ALSO foster a thriving, supportive community of various relationships within. The beauty of that is getting to know the people we get to work with as they are. People! Who just…happen to work in the same industry.