Underemployed, underpaid, over-qualified.

In any competitive industry, underemployed people regularly work at underpaid positions that they are over-qualified. For every working professional, there are 10 or more equally qualified people who can do the same job, maybe cheaper or better or faster. (That's how you secure professionals for your low-budget projects, but that's another story.)

I just got a reply back from an editor job I applied for a week ago, and the producer responded back to thank everyone applying for the position. (Now that's rare considering you normally don't hear a peep unless you are asked to come in for an interview.) He mentioned that he went over 400(!!) responses before he chose a well-qualified editor for the position. Simply. Amazing.

Honestly, I've been slacking off a little these days since I was fortunate enough to secure few gigs last few months to support myself. Until now. This reply email was a cold bath of reality for me and lit hot coals burning my feet. To the Final Cut Pro system!

Oh, I do remember who treated me professionally and who cared not or had no professional decency. Sure, I might not be successful enough to make them care, but I do remember that the best revenge is living well, succeeding in my chosen profession.

So the moral of the today's story is: get rich or die tryin'? No. Be prepared to work hard until you make your breakthrough. What's that breakthrough? When I don't have to worry about lining up next gig and missing my rent, I will consider THAT as my breakthrough.