While we still have some space for older character roles in Hollywood, the hard truth is that space is always going to be a tight fit. We mostly see ageism happening in film because movies are at the top of the recreation list. Yes, we all love music, but movies are already drenched in music. It has everything—music, of course, life altering stories that can leave a scar on your heart… and beautiful, engaging imagery.

If you take a look at the whole of the entertainment industry, you’ll find the majority of its players below the age of 45. Even the most coveted bands in the world get publicly ridiculed by the younger generations as they get older and continue performing live shows. And as if that wasn’t enough, even writers and directors find they stop getting hired after the age of 50. It’s unfair, but it’s nature. In recreation mode, we really want to watch something (or someone) beautiful. It’s easy. It’s pleasurable. And it actually has a scientifically backed health benefit on our pituitaries.

So what do you do? Besides finding the devil standing by the crossroads and asking for a favor…? 

Well, a lot of us might begin to look into botox and surgical refreshers. Which shouldn’t be a big deal—until we realize this brings us a new challenge…

Fear Of Ridicule vs Personal Choice

Every time we make a choice, it will come with hypocrisy. Choosing to get a little youthful refresher from a doctor has two sides, for example. On one hand, it’s simple upkeep on a body you’re going to have to live in your entire time on this earth. On the other hand, it’s an opportunity to get ridiculed by a mob of people who prefer looking at pretty people, yet struggle with holding back their judgmental nature. Your choice becomes something new; you either “grow old gracefully” and slowly disappear, or face social judgment. Now it’s time to either get brave or take your socially accepted place on the old folks bus.

We are trained by each other from day one on this planet. Fall in line, go through the hierarchies, evolve—but don’t do too well, because it triggers the insecurities of others. But if you don’t go ahead and do “too well”, then you’ll never make it to the next stage of your evolution. It’s a constant battle with unfairness, but that unfairness does give us the opportunity to build bravery.

Fair or not, image is power. It plays a part in how we’re treated by an employer, a teacher, or whether or not someone just wants to let us jump the long line to the whiskey bar. Taller men tend to have an easier time getting managerial positions. Pretty women get better negotiating opportunities.

There is no easy answer to humanity’s little self-doubts or hypocrisies. Those are things that will exist here forever. There comes, however, the day we realize we might just have to power through our fears and face those things that hold us back.