If you are one of them. I am talking to you!
In any discipline - be it business, medicine, law - an unpaid internship can last up to a year. It's only with time, with one promotion after another that the cheque figures start to dance. Actors are not exempt of this little truth.
Now. As an ACTOR. You are a small entrepreneur.
Most entrepreneurs will stay just that, small businesses.
But.
The the few
that risk. That invest. That cleverly craft their price strategies and marketing. Willing to make ZERO profit at the start. Well those businesses, my darlings, will branch out into
franchises and big corporations.
Would Facebook be what it is now should Mr. Zuckenberg charge for the
services?
An actor's value
is expanded through EXPOSURE.
Build up your BRAND.
THEN expect the
goodies.
Now I know - it's hard
to meet expenses as an actor,
* though I do not find it hard to meet expenses - they are everywhere *
but be
smart-assy about WHERE you want to be stingy.
Think long term.
There is an
opportunity. To be a part of a potentially marvelous project.
Would you rather refuse the offer based on it's pay status and then
spend your time at home crying to a pillow or asking your dog why it is that
you are not a working actor? If that is a case I don't know what to say to you, you silly silly actor.
Now. I've only just
started in this mighty industry - so what the hell do I know? My at-times-common sense tells me, that the more people see your work - the higher
your chances of landing a paid job in the future.
And it is not
just about money is it? Becuase if it is - you might want to RETHINK your career
choices. If you are an actor at HEART - you will be happy to ACT. Full stop. Act for free,
act for a dollar, act for a million dollars. Regardless...
And remember:
Money doesn't
bring happiness.
*It's the things you buy with it that do.*
Acting should
make you happy.
Work a night shift at a Tesco if you must.
Look forward to the
amazing day you will spend on set - doing what you TRULLY love.
How
many people do you know, who get to do what they love?
How many people even know
what their passion in life is?
Would they say... "I won't do this thing that
makes me passionate and happy, because it is not going to pay me" ?
Yes. You might
have to bite your lip and suffer a little with a shitty part time job.
But what is important is...
... You follow your
dream.
Here is why you
should grab those un-paid jobs:
1. It's fun.
2. You learn.
For free.
3. It's fun.
4. You meet great industry people or at least the ones with future 'greatness' potential.
5. Exposure -
market value.
6. It's fun.
7. You boost
your CV and get a great showreel material.
8. You learn. A
LOT.
9. YOU ACT!
- I am assuming
acting is what you love doing? You love cake you eat cake. Cake doesnt pay you
to eat it does it? -
10. It's fun.
Some good ten little
reasons, aren't they?
And one more thing:
"If you're to big to follow rivers - how you ever gonna find the sea? " Emeli Sande
And one more thing:
"If you're to big to follow rivers - how you ever gonna find the sea? " Emeli Sande
