In 2009 when I took an improv acting workshop, our mentor Jourdan Sebastian told us about “red ocean, blue ocean”. This was adapted from a business strategy book called Blue Ocean Strategy, which posits that instead of attempting to compete within the existing market (a red ocean full of sharks in a feeding frenzy), a business should create new demand in uncontested market space (a blue ocean).
improv workshop activity
Instead of business, though, we applied it to ourselves as actors, performers, and artists. What could we offer that was new to the industry? What did we each have that nobody else did?
After the workshop period ended, we each went our ways. My batchmates went on to make (bigger) names for themselves:
- Abby Asistio, musician and alopecia awareness advocate
- Gee Canlas, speed-talking TV host and Amazing Race PH contestant
- Miko Pepito, spoken word artist
- JB de Leon, professional photographer
- Teddy Corpuz, musician of Rocksteddy and co-host of It’s Showtime
- Roxanne Barcelo, actress
To tell you the truth I felt out of my depth in that workshop. Everyone there had a “blue ocean”; for instance, Abby could sing and rap, and now that she’s open about her alopecia it to set her apart. Gee could talk a mile a minute, which attracted attention from TV networks that cast her as a host.
What was I good at? What did I have that nobody else had? Looking back now, I didn’t turn out the way I thought I would in 2009. But I think I’ve found my blue ocean, and it’s online. It’s not going to be without difficulty that I make my own mark; I’m not the first female running blogger, nor the most famous. But I do have my own unique skills that no one else has. I’m hoping that makes the difference for me this year. š
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