Rant

I don't indulge in rants very often so I'm entitled to this one now.

Lately I've had a few newbie actors ask me for advice in getting started.  Some have been wise and taken it (not that I know everything but, hey, I've been around the block) while others have chosen to ignore it.  I've heard every excuse "I'm not interested in taking classes, I don't need to get a professional headshot, I can get auditions with no experience and no agent, I don't want to do theater, just film". 

Well, good luck with all that.  Yes, I am working now.  NOW, after eight long years of paying my dues, of keeping my arse in class, taking workshops, working on my career on a daily basis, challenging myself in every possible way, taking care of the business side and busting my butt constantly.  Riding the highs and lows and everything in between, I'm finally booking work, FINALLY.

But if you think you can take short cuts, don't need to work on your craft, are above theater and are going to be the next big thing, GOOD LUCK.  Let me know how that works out because you will officially be the first to accomplish it.

For the rest of you, thanks for listening and appreciating that this is a damn hard thing to do.  And the only way to do it is through hard work and putting in the time.  Lots and lots of time. 

End of rant. 

Thanks for allowing me the indulgence and keep on keeping on. 

Class is for Growth

I started back to acting class last night and it's about high time.  My goals this time around are to figure out what I'm doing wrong, what I can do better and learn from watching others.  My first night was humbling but good.  There are some great actors in there to learn from.

Even though I've been auditioning and getting call backs for more of the "good stuff" (i.e. NOT commercials), I haven't been booking yet.  It's time to figure out what I need to be doing to stand out and add in those elements my acting that will set me apart and get me the part.

As I said, my first night was humbling.  I did a scene that I had done previously for my demo reel.  The director directed it "big" so that I could get some good emotional pops for my reel.  Unfortunately, that didn't carry over well into class last night and I got some good feedback on it being too far over the top.  With some tweaks and suggestions from my coach, the second performance was MUCH better.  I walked away feeling a little defeated but thankful for the feedback.  One of the things I've always struggled with is criticism, constructive or otherwise. 

Then my coach said some magical words that made it all better...Class is for growth, not to perform. 

Wow, so simple yet so profound.  Class is a safe place to try things out, an opportunity to get feedback that you wouldn't otherwise get after an audition, a place to grow and learn and challenge yourself.  But not a place to perform. 

As actors, we feel like we always have to be on and can't make mistakes.  Life is a performance.  Acting for growth is a difficult concept to accept yet so magical when you do. 

I wrote those words in big letters across the top of my notebook and will be referring back to them many, many times.  Class is for growth and I'm ready to grow. 

Keep on keeping on.