All-Star Dating Blog
A quick word on the dating world
By Neal Talbot, All-Star contributor
Last update: 3:16PM, May 1, 2008
Lessons learned while filming the X-Files
While working on the set of the upcoming X-Files movie (X-Files: I Want To Believe), I was able to learn three important lessons that improved my skills in the dating world. The first was interacting with everyone around you, the second was treat everyone equally, and the third was doing things that are sure to make your life more exciting.
The people who interacted with everyone around them had the best time while on set. By making an effort to talk with everyone on set I was able to meet a host of amazing people. Instead of waiting around by myself between takes I was told amazing stories that made filming so much more enjoyable.
By tossing aside my approach anxiety I was able to meet both cast and crew and make my three weeks on the set far more entertaining. I have a host of new 'behind the scenes' Hollywood stories I can tell, including a hilarious one about Jack Nicholson assaulting a fish (a definite crowd pleaser).
The effort I made to meet other people led to other members of the cast and crew introducing me to others I may not have been able to talk with (such as David Duchovny, Amanda Peet and Xzibit). By being friendly and genuinely interested in others I was rewarded with introductions to the main cast.
Lesson 1: This is a lesson that can be directly transformed to the dating world. The more people you approach and interact with the better chance you'll be introduced to even more people. This not only makes you look friendly, confident and popular, but greatly increases the chances of meeting people you really connect with.
I also earned respect from people around the set for treating everyone equally - giving them the same amount of respect. Who did I learn this from on my first day on-set? Xzibit. By the time I left the set, he was easily the most beloved cast member because he treated everyone equally.
It didn't matter if it was the caterer, extras or director Chris Carter, Xzibit gave everyone his respect and he was loved for it. After seeing this, I began to ask people why they liked Xzibit so much and they always mentioned his humility. He made everyone feel like a star and because of that, he became an even bigger superstar in their eyes.
Lesson 2: Let other people be the star while on set or on a date. It doesn't matter how famous or amazing you are, other people want to show how great they are too - so let them. Often you can make more of a positive impact on someone by listening - than talking. And you can't listen if your mouth is always open, so be sure to let them share the spotlight.
When I first auditioned for a part in the X-Files, I was leery because I was not only afraid of not getting a part (rejection), but was afraid of embarrassing myself if I did or having every scene I'm in cut out in the final version of the film after three weeks of filming (and using up all my vacation time for zero screen time).
While I'm happy to say I got the part of an FBI officer, didn't embarrass myself, and I'm in the final version of the film, the experiences were priceless. I can now say I went to a movie audition - for a summer blockbuster no-less. I now know what it's like to be on-set and met some amazing people that work in the industry. And I'll be able to point out the movie while walking the isles of Blockbuster and say, "Hey, I'm in this one."
Lesson 3: If you have the chance to do something different, exciting and interesting don't let it pass you by. Life is so much more enjoyable if you do. Don't let life pass you by. Live life to the fullest my testing your limits, being confident enough to make yourself vulnerable, and do all those things you've been meaning to do but haven't got around to yet.
By doing the X-Files I now have dozens of great stories of being on-set - joking with Xzibit, laughing with Billy Connolly, teasing Amanda Peet, throwing snowballs at David Duchovny. These experiences only make me more interesting and attractive in the dating world. So never pass up a chance to make your life more interesting...
And be sure to go see X-Files: I Want To Believe, which opens up nationally on July 25.
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Paramount Pictures photo
Dating lessons can be learned anywhere - even on the set of the X-Files.
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Most singles are shocked that the majority of their approaches are successful. It's no surprise. Life can be drab. It's exciting to meet new people. To talk about new things. It's always more exciting learning about someone new than it is listening to your friend tell their favorite joke for the 50th time. - AllStarDatingTips.com |
