Prittle Prattle News in conversation with Sunil Osman
“Coronavirus has developed, but that topic for another day.”
As a society, we have survived wars, the Spanish flu, global economic crises, and lots more. We have survived so many catastrophes, but the current pandemic is said to be hitting us harder than ever before. These days we have so many comforts we take for granted, such as food, water, wifi, and social media, yet we complain about wearing masks. We complain about being restricted to our homes, but we should be thankful that we are alive while supporting each other’s health and well-being.
The question is, “Who is suffering the most mentally, emotionally, and financially?” The straight answer for this is that everyone is going through their struggle. Businesses have shut down, which has led to job losses; families don’t get the visits they used to; we can’t even hug and kiss anymore. We are losing physical touch sensitivity and almost becoming robots. Something which we need to speak about more is the new mental health issues. Coronavirus has developed, but that topic for another day.
I have been in the Entertainment Industry for over 21 years. I have traveled the world as an Actor, Master of Ceremonies, Speaking Coach, Auctioneer, TV, and radio presenter, and for the first time, my live work and travel have come to an immediate halt. How does one who has a passion for the Entertainment Industry keep the love going during this pandemic?
When the lockdowns started happening worldwide, there was a sudden increase in various social media platforms’ downloads. It is because people had more time on their hands. One of the platforms has creators making content for people to watch and connect, thereby creating global families and friends. Is this not what we need? Yes, but then instant gratification and enlargement egos started because of followers becoming the main aim. It started an increase in online bullying, which destroys the ‘global family and friends’ aspect. The enthusiasm of society coming together disappeared again conveys Sunil Osman to the reporter of Prittle Prattle News.
Many Actors, Comedians, and other professionals have taken the higher ground and create content to keep people entertained or educated to take their minds off the reality of what is happening. It is excellent, but avoiding reality can also cause mental problems when reality hits. So how else do we escape the truth of this pandemic? We turn to series, movies, reality TV shows, radio.
Doesn’t this mean that people in the Entertainment Industry play a vital role because of their work? I would say, “YES!” but we are not working as much as we used to because we can’t go to a set, we can’t attend face-to-face castings/auditions, we can’t host live comedy shows, or can we?
Many Entertainment Industry professionals on social media, who are privileged enough to have wifi access, have started online TV shows and live feeds and keep entertaining. In the Entertainment Industry, we deal with many knocks, but we learn how to keep pushing forward. Been in the industry for a while has dealt with the constraints of what a pandemic brings. For example, not landing a role or not getting booked to host a TV show or live event is a knock to us, but we keep pushing forward for the next one.
As a society, we can learn a lot from the entertainment industry. If we are not creating our work, we are waiting for that next casting call; we follow up on whether the radio station has received our demo. We are writing down material for a comedy show. We are honing our talents, all because we are passionate. The pandemic has given many of us a wake-up call, especially those used to landing work or who had long-standing contracts. Unfortunately, there is evidence that many will be leaving the entertainment industry because of the financial implications.
Staying mentally healthy has been the hardest aspect for Entertainers like me and many in my network worldwide. Nothing more heartbreaking than hearing a voice note or receiving a call from fellow award-winning actors who have decided to quit the industry because of the pandemic. There should be no quit. We have survived a lot worse in the past.
Society demands making a material living more than making life, and falsified social media images don’t help this. Finding the balance of life and living in the tough part, and right now, it seems there is no balance. It is just the start of the pandemic, and many countries have realized that we have to start to live with it while taking precautions, such as sanitizing and wearing masks. Is this too much to ask?
Some studios have re-opened; public broadcasters deliver news and entertainment from their homes or well-sanitized studios. It has been happening throughout the pandemic, and some entertainers are finally getting back to shoots with protocols in place.
It may appear that the pandemic is hitting us harder than before, but we must remember that there wasn’t social media, fake news, or mainstream media back. The reality is that what we watch and hear get into our brains; this is a problem.
Be like someone in the entertainment industry, keep pushing, keep living, and stay passionate while being aware of the reality of what we have to live. It is the key, learn to live with it. Keep in mind that it is physical distancing, not social distancing. Many have access to online tools, which will allow interaction. Think outside the box
Many people are dying due to Coronavirus’s complications, and some spiritual people view it as a cleansing of the Earth. We are all one, and from an Entertainer’s perspective that loves and cares for many in different ways, I urge you to look after yourself while adapting to the new way of living. Discover who the real you is, your true self, and learn the power of meditation and prayer, if this is your practice. To fellow Creators and Entertainers being real online, I applaud you to live your passions—love and Light to all.
