Now that I see that my first two rules seem to be following a spooky theme, I figured I should post an old one that I’ve always meant to post.
This rule came about after living in Hollywood for a few years: Never data a woman with a headshot… especially if she’s not famous. I know, that’s harsh, but there’s something about having a headshot that’s very symptomatic of being self-centered. If you’re going to make it as an actor, it seems you have to believe a good portion of your own PR fluff to get out of bed in the morning and face another four audition rejections.
Now, I’ve added the famous caveat because sometimes once someone makes it they mellow out and become cool people again. I saw this with the times I met Sharon Stone over the years. The first time or two I met here she was an emotional train wreck who’d become an instant sensation (after 13 years of hard work) by allowing a camera to look up her skirt in a scene for the movie Basic Instinct. However, once she settled into stardom she seemed to mellow out and become a relatively normal person. In fact, the last time I met her (I think she was promoting the rather forgettable movie Diabolique) she hung around after her satellite interview and asked questions about how various things worked in the control room. I still wouldn’t have dated her, primarily because of what I believe her film choices reveal about her character, but I’m saying theoretically it’s possible for someone to overcome the no headshot rule… once they have nothing to prove.