Posts
Some actors send letters and postcards out to the industry, and they get auditions and results. Other actors "take the correct career actions" and nothing happens for them.
How come?
There could be many reasons. Not the right picture, resume doesn't work, etc. But as I said in my last blog, and as I say on the Acting Video from class, you have to love what you do. I think a rock star loves what they do. I guess it's possible some may not. But the idea of being a rock star looks fun. I think the attitude "you can't be beat" is healthy for an actor. Yes, it needs to be based in some reality, and not in a delusion. But your attitude about your career goes a long way.
Pink - So What
If you take a little inspiration from Pink, after her set back of a divorce, her response was:
"So what, I'm still a rock star! I got my rock moves!!"
While producing a music video last October, I was researching and watching lots of videos. I hadn't seen this Pink video. I like the attitude of it.
You will probably get knocked down, set back, or disappointed with how your career is going at some point. Life problems may distract you from doing your career, even when it's going good. But "so what" isn't such a bad attitude to have in the face of adversity. You are a still a rock star! You got your rock moves!
And yes, you ARE a rock star, or movie star, in this case. It's not that you "will be" a star. Anyone I know who is a working actor THOUGHT they were a movie star BEFORE they got the film or the series. That attitude is what I train actors to cultivate. It's not about being arrogant, it's about knowing your worth. You can't wait on jobs to validate you, so know you are good. It's not...."I booked a series....hey, wow, I actually am cool." No.
In general, people who book work already know what they want, and have worked passionately in that direction. That homework builds the confidence that supports the attitude. From certainty and confidence comes work. Leads in films. Television series.
Here's an exercise to try: Lose the self-critic for a month. Let it fly to Hawaii for 30 days. It'll probably come back happier and less critical, and in the meantime, you can get some actions done on your career. When actors don't have confidence, they don't persist.
And while the critic is out of town, TAKE ACTIONS towards success in your career! Rehearse more. Go get an agent now! Send letters to agents. Then call the agents to follow up. Then send more letters to the same agents. Get referrals to agents. And keep persisting until you get an agent.
When actors don't have confidence, they don't persist in pursuing agents. Or they write letters that are great, except the last paragraph has a huge apology for their lack of experience. So, lead with your greatness in your letter to agents, not your liabilities.
Be a rock star. Live like a rock star. [And no, not the Charlie Sheen "idea" of a rock star.]
I believe in an actor's ability to make their dreams of acting happen, even in Hollywood. No matter what happens, maintain the attitude that you are "still a rock star."
