During the last week I’ve learned a ton. I’ve learned that choosing a career such as acting has everything to do with what you put forward. It takes persistance and on-going studying of the craft. I love watching other peoples unique characteristics be brought to life through a character on the screen. Almost as much as the excitement of being in front of the camera myself. It lights up my life! Since scheduling head shots with photographer David Dubois, I’ve been studying like crazy. I’ve been contacting those I know of in the industry that can help me get started as a sort of “beginner” out her in LA. So I’m moving right along. Me= excited and happy 🙂
I read a book called “Acting is Everything: An Actor’s Guidebook for a Successful Career in Los Angeles” by Judy Kerr. A very important book for actors in LA. I found the most useful parts were the chapters on the business side. So many people come to LA not understanding the business. They just want to be discovered. The chances of that are small. The people who make it develop ways to market themselves in the right way, work to be always improve their technique, and are smart about the risks they take. The most important part is the ability to network with others in the industry without being taken advantage of. As an actor, you should never have to pay money to act. Aside from getting head shots, maintaining your image, paying for classes and investing in portfolios, you should never have to pay for a part in anything. If someone asks for money, you turn and run.
Acting is about commitment. It is a one of the hardest careers one could ever choose, but also one of the most rewarding. It takes a special person to be able to push through the tough times in order to enjoy doing what they love. Someone who chooses to be an actor chooses to face rejection after rejection in hope for that one role that works. It is not about competition as much as finding the right audition, the exact role that was meant for you. When it’s right, it’s right. The casting director will feel it. Casting directors can see 200 people for one part. For every role you don’t get, there are 198 others who didn’t get it either. So you don’t have to feel bad about it. On to the next one…
I love this quote by Judy Kerr “negativity is death to creativeness”. You must always find a way conquer negative thoughts – especially those towards the self. You will self-sabotage when you are too hard on yourself. The ability to be positive, focused and flexible is extremely important as an actor. Creativeness comes from within- you either have it or you don’t. Negativity will kill that creativity instantly.
I feel like I’ve been preparing my whole life for these moments. I’ve grown to feel comfortable in my own skin and realize that it’s my own vulnerabilities that set me apart from the others. I don’t have to look for others to model after for perfection. It’s what’s inside of me that is going to get me the roles, not so much what I look like on the outside. So there’s that. And that brings me to this:
“Be gentle with yourself.”
– Something my therapist told me as a college student.
