If the comparison was people starting out in a tail compared to people who do a bunch of different things in a tail, I would have agreed. But the comparison was people doing kids parties in a tail. I couldn't DO a kid's party without all the skills I use for all my other mer-gigs and event. (Kids parties make up about 1/2 of my income and time, the other things are filled with either adult or all ages/commercial work)
Also, I certainly wont argue that Melissa is a much better swimmer than I am, but if you're going to measure success what *is* the success? I travel for mermaid stuff, I've done
more music videos/tv appearances (I just filmed several in the past few months that I can't post until they are released) they just happen to all be Canadian. I can support myself full time with my mermaid work, along with 2 other mermaids and an assistant (plus 1 other sub mermaid and 1 sub assistant). Actually wrote and published a book (Melissa was a character in one written and illustrated by someone else), and melissa has used the very tips in my book in the order they were written in to help her expand her media reach and social networking and kids parties. Thing is, I *don't* think I'm a better mermaid than her, or really anyone one else, but I make the comparison to show that it's seriously SUBJECTIVE. It's also important to look at
context. Canada has a smaller population base. We have the same amount of people in our WHOLE COUNTRY than in California. We also have no aquariums on the East Coast willing to take mermaids and only a few on the west who are even considering. (and that's including the Ripley's Franchices). For what I am doing in Canada, I am every bit as well known as Melissa- in Canada. Few people know who she or any other big name mers are here. Just like how the Mermaids who are overseas and have several in the top of their field who also don't seem to be in the list of top pro mers- but probably should. Mermaids in their own respective countries will all have different opportunities. But I walk into other business establishments and people know who I am. The costume designer from Splash who has nothing to do with the mercommunity, but designed the tail for Shouse to make even personally contacted me when I released my book. For someone like him to find me, I have to believe I have reached a level of professionalism whether people want to agree with that or not.
Some mermaids have reached their high level by running swim schools. Others (Like Sheroes) by their amazing photoshoots. It's just so. incredibly. subjective. You can't just (as the two mermaids in the original post suggested) look at the couple of mermaids who free dive on a regular basis and consider them the only professionals. Have you tried free diving in Canadian waters? lol it's pretty green and cold on the East Coast, and I can't be dropping mad coin to fly around the world just for the illusion of looking more professional because I do some things in deeper water
And just in regards to,
We did stop. Mal directed his post at me and Cor. We're still engaging in conversation/debate and so is everyone else and that's what the forum is for. We just stopped the name calling as per requested. Nobody else is doing that or being dramatic. Just engaging with each other.
Bookmarks