Side Tracked Actors. Head up. We all need a dream reignition.

Some days we begin waving a white flag. 

We can barely get out of the bed in the morning. 
Hairbrush? 
Forget it - if I find a vaguely matching pair of socks, I'd call it day's mission accomplished.  

Some days we forget to dream. 

We get side-tracked. 
Some would say - we get a 'reality check'. 
But 'reality' is just a theory. 
- A theory that there is some kind of a limit on how far we can go in life. 
   
Tell me is there something standing in your way? 
Kick it's butt.

Simple.

Get excited again, find that lost dream, make a brand new plan, work that magic ten thousand hours and man, it is yours. 

When you are full of excitement and positive thoughts, ideas will spring into your mind like swans to the bread crumbs. 
So I intend to go into that audition room next time thinking - 'just watch me'. And you should do the same my friend...
 
And it will be good. Very good. You have the power to make it so.

 

... when you loose your drive.
When you go to auditions half-prepared. 
When you put working on the scripts for later.   

Reignite.

I come from a long line of actors. It's called an 'audition queue'.

STOP WORRYING. Be a happy actor. 

Do not. EVER. Call yourself a S T R U G G L I N G actor. 

Be excited about auditions. They are fun. They let you ACT. They let you do that one thing you love so much.

And that is what being an actor is all about right?

Acting.

So don't dread an audition. Don't get worried that you might not get a callback. 

Because auditioning in itself is a fantastic part of actors life. If it results in a job? Perfect! If it doesn't? So be it, there are more exciting auditions to go to.

Think about it this way:

You'd pay 25 pounds for an hour of acting class. Here you get a chance of one for free in form of a casting. Seize this opportunity to further your skill. When you prepare for a casting, apply everything you have ever learnt, hell, go method on it, do it the American way - go to a casting like you already got the part. It's yours. Be there as if you've been to make-up and wardrawbe. When you land the job, you can't afford to stress over what the director thinks, because you must be in the moment. Why not do the same with a casting? Leave all your insecurities outside that door. They want you to be it !!! That is why they called you to audition. They didn't say behind your back: Hey! Lets make fun of this struggling bastard, lets call him in and laugh at his face. NO. They call you in, because they HOPE with all of their hearts and souls you are the one. They are your friend. They have seen your showreel, they know audition setting will not be a field to prove your FULL potential, because frankly talking to a wall or camera lense is never going to be organic - and no matter how much you will trick yourself into believing your circumstances - and no matter how clearly you see the camera becoming face of a beloved - it is bound to be less then your final performance would be. 

They know it! 

Knowing that they know it - CHILL. And. Enjoy. 

How many actors does it take to change a light bulb?

100.

           1 to change the bulb.

                         99 to say "I could have done it".


Good times.

That's the story of - that's the glory of - UNPAID jobs.

I see some actors shrug, when they hear the word UNPAID.

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