GETTING CONNECTED: Beyond the Audition Room
As a talent manager for over 30 years, Nelson Paredez-Parks has learned that success in the entertainment industry isn’t just about landing the next audition or booking the next role. It’s about getting connected in a much deeper, more intentional way. Connection goes beyond agents, casting directors, or managers—it’s about artists, especially minors, being connected to the right tools, the right people, and most importantly, the right mindset.
GETTING CONNECTED: Beyond the Audition Room
Too often, young actors (and their families) are focused solely on what’s next —the next audition, the next callback, the next gig—without building the mental stamina, professional habits, and emotional intelligence necessary to weather the highs and lows of this business.
My role as a manager is not only to open doors, but to help young performers & their families build the resources, principles and work ethic they need to grow, sustain, and navigate a complex industry.
The truth is, you need to treat this business like you’re preparing for the Olympics. It’s not enough to only develop the artist—you must also develop the human being behind the artist.
This means helping young performers understand the importance of boundaries, both personal and professional.
Healthy boundaries are not just about saying “no” to unsafe situations; they’re about teaching young artists to honor their time, their space, and their emotional well-being as they move through this industry. Too many young talents burn out because they never learn to protect their energy or balance their career with the rest of their life.
That’s why I’m contributing to this series—to give parents and young performers the grounding they need to grow as artists and as people. I’ll provide not just industry know-how, but instill the kind of mindset, discipline, and character that will serve them for the long haul. The entertainment industry is more than just a career path—it’s a lifestyle. And when families approach it with the right tools, values, and respect for boundaries, they give their young performer the gift of not just surviving, but thriving.
Your Getting-Connected Mindset Coach,
Nelson Paredez-Parks
Founder of The ESI Network
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