Things are quieter right now because of the strike.
And if for some reason you have missed what is going on, please take a look at the WGA’s website, social media, and most recently, SAG-AFTRA’s statement of approving a vote for a strike authorization of the actor’s union.
Though things may be a little bit shaky, we can find our footing by connecting with those around us.
If you are interested in deepening connections or showing appreciation, I have a couple of free gives that can be shared. Everyone could truly take a little gift to feel better during these uncertain times.
1. Insight Timer – Free Meditation App
Find a short meditation on Insight Timer that speaks to you and the recipient. Share the specific meditation with them as a gift of breath, peace, and a moment of calm.
2. Share a memorable moment from your encounter
If you connected with someone in person while working or at an event you can send a note sharing the most memorable thing they said or did while you all were together. This is a great way to make someone feel special and help them connect YOU to a moment so they remember you. This works really great for follow-up emails, thank you cards, or to remain in touch with someone.
Example: Once, in a thank you note to the 3rd AD for an episodic television show, I quoted her morning greeting of “Today will be a good day” and told her I looked forward to hearing that each day. It was like my very own personal cup of coffee.
Notice the above example is specific, brief, and personal.
3. The Nudge – Free App for Outings
Sift through The Nudge to find a unique outing/ activity for them to check out during the industry’s downtime. Activities range from rooftops with free pizza to how to spend a weekend in Palm Springs. Cater your suggestion towards their preferences. How do you find out their preferences? Do some digging on social media, listen to interviews on podcasts that they have done, or find other ways through Career ACTivate’s Relationship Roadmap course.
BONUS GIVE!
Share a couple of unique tags that can be used on picket signs for the WGA Strike. This is a great way to show your support, personality, and creativity.
Example: “I saw you are in support of the WGA and I wanted to share a few tag lines you can use if you’re on the picket lines:
That’s your counteroffer?
No Words…
You want these pages then run these wages!”
Hope these unique gives are well-received. And have fun finding which one fits for you!
Even if you have a love/hate relationship with self-taping, there are some hidden benefits that you might not have thought of.
In his latest vlog, Coach Eric shares how to take advantage of self-tapes in ways you may not have considered. Eric booked 17 TV shows/commercials in 2022 alone, with 14 being entirely through self-tape or virtual auditions, and continues to book regularly — so he clearly knows what he’s doing in the self-taping game.
Watch his short (2.5 min) video here:
It’s a great reminder that self-taping is a step forward in our industry, a sign of progress and equality, and that the pros might ultimately outweigh the cons compared to in-person auditions.
That feeling before you step on stage on opening night and can’t remember your lines or the gap between jobs that can span weeks, months, or even years.
There’s as much fear in those moments as there is hope. We associate excitement with positive feelings, but we think of anxiety as an overwhelmingly negative emotion that’s at times debilitating. While some anxiety is useful, as it can help motivate us, protect us when we’re in danger, and increase our alertness, too much can be disruptive to our state of being and make us suffer physically and mentally.
So how do we manage the ebbs and flows of this business alongside the ups and downs of our lives?
Well, I recently came across the Biopsychosocial Model, a pluralistic model of understanding mental health that looks at the Biological, Psychological, and Social factors that contribute to our state of being, and have found it to be extremely helpful in coming up with strategies for coping with all the crazy things life has, is, and will continue to throw my way.
Here are a few takeaways I’ve learned:
1. Biological Factors:
What you put into your body matters. Eating nourishing foods and having a balanced diet, drinking enough clean water, and staying properly hydrated (get those electrolytes!).
How you use your body matters. Everything from regular exercise to holistic care is important. Whether it’s a daily walk, a fitness class, or playing a game of pick up, study after study shows that 30 minutes of exercise can do wonders for your head, heart, and body.
Listening to the needs of your body matters. When you’re tired, sleep. When you’re hungry, eat. When you’re unwell, rest. Sounds simple but it’s harder nowadays to listen to those cues. Remember, you’re no good to anyone if you’re not good to yourself.
Self-care isn’t just about a spa day. Though that’s a great way to spend time with yourself! Self-care is taking time to tend to yourself with anything that nourishes you. It can be calming and relaxing or stimulating and practical.
2. Psychological Factors:
We all need a little quiet time. Whether it’s a guided meditation online, a formal time for prayer, or simply pausing in your day and taking three deep and conscious breaths, taking time to self reflect can have a profound effect on your brain.
“The best ideas come in the shower.” Ever heard that one? Yeah, we all have and it’s always true. Doing something that’s out of your loop recalibrates your brain and allows you to return to whatever issue you’re tackling from a different perspective. Doing things that have nothing to do with acting, like drawing, writing, puzzles, D&D, whatever your thing is, can actually give you the creative juices you need to understand and dive deeper into your work. Go find some fun and play!
Lose the taboo around therapy. Working with a therapist when things are good gives you an advantage for when things go south. You’ll have a baseline by which to gauge and a relationship established with your therapist without the added element of a specific trauma or issue. Remember that finding a therapist you jive with is akin to finding a car, you have to test drive a few before you find the right one. If the anxiety or feelings get worse, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments, including medication.
3. Social Factors:
Social engagement is a way for us to connect with others in our community, both in person and online. These interactions help us create a sense of belonging and purpose. Strong social bonds can also help prevent feelings of isolation, depression, and cognitive decline.
This can include:– spending time with family– outings with friends– volunteering your time– or activities with colleagues
Watch what you watch! Cheap thrills are just that. As is doom scrolling and mindless swiping. Being mindful of what you consume in the media, including all kinds of social media and traditional forms, is like being mindful of what you eat.
To wrap up…
Life is weird and full of so many twists and turns we can’t always predict. Whether it’s a new love, a big job, or a baby on the way, the more you have in your arsenal the better you’ll be able to navigate and cope with whatever comes your way.
It’s a question we hear all. the. time. And we’re so conditioned to give a generic response.
What do you usually say?
“I’m great!”
“Good, thanks, and you?”
“Happy to be here”
But when you enter a live audition, a producer’s session, or a meeting with someone who has hiring power in the industry, instead of a basic, overused answer, what if you used this question as an opportunity to connect?
As an artist, when a producer, casting director, or someone else – who has the potential of offering you a job or chance for collaboration – asks this question, this creates a great moment to give a personal YOU-nique response. One that shares your personality and brings out a common human interaction.
For example, I was in a producer’s session and when asked, “Tiffany, how are you today?” I said, “Well, I got my son’s hair in a ponytail today so I am doing pretty good.” Notice how this response is quick, shows personality, and gives information about me.
I have a son.
My son has long hair.
I’ve had a hard time doing my son’s hair, but today was a win so we can celebrate that.
I have a sense of humor.
I knew one of the producers had children. This related to them and allowed us to have some common ground before doing the audition. It also helped me feel comfortable by sharing a normal human interaction despite their titles and experiences.
Now, it’s your turn. Use these tools to help you create a YOU-nique response.
a) If you know who will potentially be in a room, research them.
Find some common ground. You can create a quick quip that makes them perk up and share who you are.
Example:CD: How are you, Tamika?Tamika: I was just on the phone with my mom so I feel like 100 bucks.
b) Be HONEST.
Don’t create something just to stand out or sound funny. It will come off inauthentic.
Example:Showrunner: How are you, Darnell?Darnell: Making it. I played Kickball this weekend and I’m feeling it.”
c) Keep it simple and feel the room.
Sometimes this works well and other times the room needs a generic response.
Think about whether:
they are running behind
the person/ organization does not like small talk
the awesome quick quip you created is not fitting for the tone you are feeling as you enter the room or conversation
Ok, to summarize: Use “How are you” to connect with casting directors, producers, or other career game changers. Research who will be in the room, find an authentic commonality, create a quick quip, and feel out the room when using it.
This takes practice, but don’t be afraid to try it out. You may be one “How are you?” away from a YOU-nique connection.
6 Tips To Deliver A Self-Tape (Even When You’re on Vacation)
This past summer, two exciting moments coincided on the same weekend: I organized my best friend’s bachelorette weekend in Miami and I booked the coolest job ever (recurring guest star on the NBC hit show QUANTUM LEAP)!
Fun times, indeed, and a lot of potential stress that I’m proud to say I was able to deftly avoid.
Here are some of my takeaways:
TIP 1: HAVE A SUPPORT TEAM AT THE READY
I asked a friend to help me for the first audition, who’s on a campy detective type show with a vibe similar to what I thought the show I was taping for would be. She’s a smart actor and has a solid sense of tone, two valuable assists in a reader. It was the first season of the show I was taping for, so there was no reference material, save the sides and breakdown. Nevertheless, my friend and I were able to make some wise deductions based on what was on the page. Ultimately, my reader choice was clearly a wise decision, as she’s now helped me book two jobs!
TIP 2: DO GREAT WORK, THEN LET IT GO
As much as I appreciate every audition that comes my way, I’m even more appreciative for any precious time off with my friends. So, after I sent the tape, I packed my bags and went to Miami for a weekend of fun in the sun. Most importantly, I blocked out the dates with my team and purposely left my taping equipment at home. I was on a weekend getaway!
TIP 3: BELIEVE IN MURPHY’S LAW (or don’t, but know the Universe works in mysterious ways)
On day two of the bachelorette, my agent calls to tell me that we’ve just received notes from casting and they want me to re-tape. And, of course, I didn’t have any of my equipment to do so. Time to get creative!
TIP 4: NOTES ARE ALWAYS A BLESSING BUT DON’T ALWAYS HAPPEN
Notes are helpful ways of demonstrating a clearer sense of what you’re capable of. Casting liked something you did and wants to give you some direction. Win! They’re already fans, so don’t use this as an opportunity to change everything. Now is your chance to adjust and deepen your performance in ways that make sense to you, not to do more of what you think ‘they want.’
TIP 5: DO WHAT YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
Because I didn’t have any of my equipment with me, my actor brain immediately panicked. Rather than stressing out and trying to find a reader, learn the new sides, and cobble together a new tape, I got resourceful: I sent my agent two other auditions that reflected the kind of character they were guiding me toward. This was an empowering boost and reminder that I didn’t need to bend over backwards to get them a new tape.
TIP 6: BE HONEST WITH YOUR REPS AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF
Tell them if you’re able to do the work or not. There’s no shame in turning something down if you don’t feel like you can do your best. Ask yourself the honest question and listen to your gut.
It can be a really scary thing to take time out for yourself. One of my favourite sayings is: The most interesting humans make the most interesting actors.
So, go live your life and do those things when the impulse guides you. Take that holiday. Go visit that friend. Spend time with your family. And trust that the industry will be there when you get back. Chances are, you’ll be wanted when you’re unavailable, like in my case. And if you’re wondering about the bachelorette weekend, Miami was amazing, South Beach is the best, and I’m so glad I got to celebrate my friend!
Does Fear get in your way? Do you procrastinate, resist or delay taking the “scary” actions towards your career? I get it. I’ve done it. It’s soooooo much easier to busy yourself with other things.
Fear is central to Susan Jeffers’s Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway. My biggest take-away from her book was the distinction that fear is actually not the fear of doing something and failing, but the fear of doing something, failing and not being able to handle it.”
For me, and many of my Clients, this was freeing. There are several things in my life I can use (most recently shattering my shoulder while horse riding, having two surgeries, and a lengthy painful rehab process) as proof that if I can handle that, I literally can handle anything! Suddenly that scary phone call doesn’t seem so scary!
What have you handled in your life? What can you use as proof of your ability to handle things?
I love the title of the book too, FEEL The Fear and Do It Anyway. So much of the time, we resist fear, we try to push it away.
Fear (your amygdala) is like an army scout. The scout’s sole job is to warn the troops of danger. Imagine a scout goes into the forest and finds a threat. They run back to warn everyone. If the troops tell them, don’t be silly, we’re gonna be fine. What does the scout do? It gets louder. The scout starts yelling!! “No you have to listen, there’s danger, you have to be careful!”
The scout means well. It’s trying to keep you safe; it’s just not the sharpest knife in the drawer. It often can’t tell the difference between a real threat (a tiger chasing you) and a perceived threat (a big audition.)
When fear comes up, the only way to get that scout to stop yelling, is to say, “Got it, thank you, I hear you.” Then the scout can relax. It’s done its job.
I invite you to practice observing those fear thoughts; listening to that scout from a neutral place. How do you get that distance? Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or Tapping) a mix of modern western psychology and the ancient art of acupressure is one way. While you voice the fear, tapping on the EFT points sends calming signals to the brain and allows you to calm your nervous system and process any unwanted emotion.
Writing or journaling is another way. Putting pen to page allows you to express your emotions and gain some distance. By shining a light on them they often lose some of their power. Then…
Feel the fear and do it anyway. You can handle it!
Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s feeling the fear and doing it anyway. And you don’t need confidence beforehand, confidence comes in the doing!
You can handle it!
I could list a whole lot of platitudes here…
Collect Failures
Fail Faster
There is no such thing as failure, only information
A No is one step closer to a Yes
…. all of which are valid. One of my personal favorites and a theme of my 2022 is Leap Before You’re Ready.
A trap, I – and my clients – can fall into, is spending too much time getting ready. Now yes of course some preparation is needed, but I’m Type A, typically over-prepared, my B- work is most people’s A+. I can afford to leap before I feel 100% ready.
This can be more of a problem for women who actually have more brain matter in their prefrontal cortex than men, so we do tend to overthink. Also as this well known study shows, men apply for jobs when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.
So, I encourage you to leap earlier, especially when it comes to building industry relationships. Don’t wait ‘til your reel is done, your website is perfect, you’ve booked your first co-star or are “worthy” of reaching out, start creating those industry relationships now.
You can handle it!
I also invite you to have compassion for yourself. The Negative Bias is real. Dating back to our cave-people days, it was a matter of survival. It was much more useful to remember where you ran into the predator than how much you enjoyed your berries. 10 “good” things happen and 1 “bad” thing happens. But, what do we obsess over?
We also automatically default to projecting bad, horrible outcomes. What if we imagined it went really well instead? Either way, we can’t predict the future, we’re literally making it up. Why not make up a scenario that makes us feel good and actually empowers us?
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ~ Anais Nin
I encourage you to practice. Practice makes peace! Practice makes progress! How can you support yourself in feeling the fear and doing it anyway? Community and Accountability are everything. Surround yourself with like-minded people who can support you and cheer you on.
I have a check-in every week with my friend Rachel. We both chose Bad Ass as our word of the year and every Monday we leave each other voice memos and rate our badassery from the previous week 0-10. Where did we feel the fear and do it anyway? Where did we say Yes, before we felt ready? Where did we befriend our fear?
If you ever hear about other actors creating opportunities thanks to Instagram and think “ The only people who like my posts are my mom and my bestie,” you’ll love the below tips.. Here’s three concrete strategies to boost your IG engagement without feeling like a stalker that have helped me and my Clients:
CASTING Figure out the shows/films you’re right for, and then follow those CDs to start organically and authentically engaging with their content. If they post something that genuinely makes you laugh, you could comment saying so, you could even share it to your story. And I think using the Stories section of Instagram is great for sharing your new reels or clips, ESPECIALLY if the tone matches the types of projects that they work on.
For example, a client of mine had created a new comedic demo reel, and she posted it to her story and then tagged a comedic CD in that story. That CD ended up watching the reel and then messaging my client, complimenting her work! What a great way to get your work seen by someone you’re targeting!
FILMMAKERS There are two routes for this, one is to search for filmmakers that you know you already love and want to collaborate with (maybe they directed an incredible episode of TV or the film they’ve written is out in theaters) and the other is to discover new filmmakers through the search function. Let’s discuss option 1…
1) Filmmakers You Already Are Excited To Connect With:
Follow these filmmakers and begin to authentically and organically engage with them. You could even support their current projects by sharing their posts to your story. Most people are happy when more eyeballs end up watching their work, so offering some free publicity for things you really enjoyed is a great way to help them. And since it’s something you actually liked, it’s really easy to be genuine in your posting.
You can also send these people a DM letting them know how much their work means to you, and start a genuine connection that way. I mean, most everybody feels good when their work is seen and praised! Wouldn’t you love it if someone hopped into your DMs to talk about how much your work made them feel? Of course!! And who knows what could happen with that relationship!
For example, a client of mine connected with a writer through Instagram and after getting to know each other a bit over several months via posts and messages, she ended up asking them via direct message if they would consider donating to her films crowdfunding campaign, and this person did! I mean what a compliment and what a beautiful friendship that formed from authentic engagement.
2) Finding NEW Filmmakers To Connect With:
What if you want to discover some new people to collaborate with? I will use the hashtag search option and search for things like #director, #filmmaker, #indiefilmmaker, etc. to see who’s posting content with these hashtags and then checking out their page, their demo reels, their current or previous work. If they are creating content that really resonates with me, then I’ll give them a follow and start authentically and genuinely engaging with their content. This can lead to wonderful lasting friendships and potential bookings, I’ve booked two films through Instagram, one of which came about because a filmmaker and I started following each other and supporting each other’s content.
A couple of tips for this whole thing…
I don’t like tagging people in grid posts because they then get notifications when people comment, etc. I prefer tagging in stories because it goes into their DM folder in their message requests section, so they can choose to look at the tag. Also please remember that AUTHENTIC and GENUINE is key (do I sound like a broken record?) because that is how long lasting relationships are fostered, IMO, and it is legitimately so easy to comment that something was great when you actually thought it was great!
PLEASE NOTE: Please only follow/engage with people that are open about their work on their social media platforms… Some people have private profiles or only post about their family, so I wouldn’t attempt to engage with them from a “work” perspective. Focus on those who are open about their work on Instagram, and then you’ll be 100% sure you’re not crossing any boundaries.
3) Discover Your Community:
While instagram is a great place to network and find potential collaborators, it is also a great place to connect with your community of artists. There are so many actors and storytellers on there, and you can find them through the search function or hashtags. So many schools and actor podcasts are also on there, posting inspiring content and reinforcing that YOU ARE NOT ALONE on this journey. Being an actor can at times be an isolating process, so I do enjoy getting a chance to see what my peers are doing, how they are marketing themselves, how they seek guidance and support. I celebrate their wins because I know mine are just around the corner.
Social media is a place you can find your artistic community, especially if you are in a smaller market or you aren’t in class right now. I have a few friends that I never met in person, yet I still celebrate their auditions, their bookings, their projects because it makes me feel good to see others succeed!
If you’re reading this blog, you know you need ‘em. And you probably know how difficult it can be to finally land the right ones. And yet, they’re one of the most important tools for us as actors and are unlikely to be out of favor anytime soon. So what’s an actor to do when the prospect of headshot photos fills you with dread and feels as daunting as ever?
First, take a breath. Then, trust that with a little planning and some creativity, you can still make it a fun and playful experience!
A couple of months ago, a Client and I were talking through her headshot plan. She had the basics covered: 3 strong looks, a great photographer booked, and a stellar makeup artist. But still, she felt like something wasn’t clicking. So, because we both like to write, I shared with her a little activity I had recently given myself in preparation for my own shoot.
Here’s what I did and also got her to try:
Write a character breakdown for each look you’re planning to shoot. And give them a name! A short description of the character traits that can speak to the specific piece of you that connects to them. You can make it fun and playful, touching upon the tone of the show this imaginary character could be in.
Create a color palette for each of the characters. Being specific with color choices can speak quite effectively to the character and look of the pictures. Color psychology is a deeply fascinating deep dive! But be careful not to pick a color that doesn’t compliment your complexion.
Put together a playlist for each character. So, when it comes time for you to shoot, you can play their tunes and really get into their unique headspaces and physicalities.
Make a Pinterest board for each look, so you can collect all of your ideas and inspirations in one place that’s also easily shareable.
My favorite part of doing this, aside from the writing process, was sharing the breakdowns and details with the photographer and makeup artist. Having us all on the same page because of something so simple was a game changer.
Not only did this client enjoy the process so much more and get some great shots out of it, but she also got a special bonus in coming up with a new idea for a series that I have no doubt she’s working on right now!
So, what story do you want to tell with your pictures? Dig up those old breakdowns and let your imagination run wild. You never know what can come from a little creative writing!
I know you work hard. So, every booking is a cause for celebration! Especially, when you get the gig on your own, without the help of your rep.
In cases like this, you’ve probably wondered…”Should I even bother telling my reps? I worked hard and booked this on my own. So, why should I give them a commission?”
In today’s vlog, Coach Eric dives into why you should consider looping your reps in, even if you booked the job without their involvement.
Yes, you’ll have to pay out commissions. But wouldn’t it be worth it if it meant thousand more dollars in YOUR pocket?
So, check out our vlog below and find out how to get more $$$ into the pockets of your entire team!
The 90% of audition prep work you need to do BEFORE you get the sides (or appointment)
You got an audition for a great TV show! How exciting. Now, cue scrambling to prepare, dealing with audition nerves, and the inevitable flood of damaging thoughts.
On top of that, you’ve got to learn all your lines, research the show, figure out what to wear, all while balancing your day job and life in general. HOW IS THIS ALL POSSIBLE IN THE 24 HOURS THEY’VE GIVEN YOU?
Well, good news. 90% of my audition prep occurs before I ever get an audition. And so can yours.
Here are a few common damaging thoughts that come up during the audition process that you can learn to tackle in your everyday life so you can stay focused when a last second appointment comes through.
THOUGHT: “I’ll never memorize these sides on time.”
INSTEAD: “I can’t wait to tell this story.”
First of all, lines aren’t as important as the overall story. Scripts change between audition and filming all the time, so don’t feel too much pressure to be word perfect as long as you’re not changing the meaning of the line, or, in comedy, the rhythm or beats. My last 3 film/TV bookings are ones where I messed up my lines during the audition and just kept going. I don’t even know if anybody noticed. Hell, maybe they were like, “Wow! She did something just a little bit different from everyone else. I can’t quite figure out what it is -“ (uh…I made up my own line), “…but it really stood out!”
You are absolutely in service to the story. So, in your everyday life, master the art of storytelling by digesting stories of all kinds. Read fiction novels, watch stand-up, watch documentaries, and, of course, watch TV shows you’d like to work on. Tone, beats, pacing, and story arcs are all things you can learn by binge-watching with awareness. Also, this goes without saying: if you wanna book commercials, watch commercials.
THOUGHT: “I’m nervous. What if I forget my lines/eyelines/name and look totally stupid?”
INSTEAD: “I can’t wait to laugh.”
Nerves are a natural response to the unknown. But I find that they also reveal a lack of self-trust. You doubt that you’ll be able to handle the situation with grace and humor and that you’ll come out a massive failure.
To learn how to trust yourself, I challenge you to do something that makes you nervous every day. It doesn’t have to be something different, it can be the same thing each time (for me, it’s going to a super challenging yoga class where everyone is far more advanced, fit, good-looking, and probably making much more money than I am). I guarantee you you’ll get less nervous every time you make it out alive. Which, hopefully, you do. Let’s not take this challenge too seriously.
For me, I never see my failures as such, because they’re turned into funny stories that I can’t wait to tell all my friends about. If you come out of every situation either laughing victoriously or with a great “this is a[nother] time I totally bombed” story to laugh about (and learn from), then you never lose. So learn how to laugh at yourself.
Oh yea, and have an acting coach on speed dial to help with those eyelines. Do the prep work beforehand, but trust yourself to roll with the punches once you step into the audition room, and everything that happens from that point on is ABSOLUTELY a laughing matter.
THOUGHT: “Omg. Everyone in this waiting room is so more successful than I am. The person sitting across from me is, like, actually famous.”
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Find out where the working actors are studying. Do what they’re doing. In our Elite Program, our community of actors are helping push one another to higher levels of success and learning from what has worked in one another’s journeys. Exposure to people who, in your eyes, are “successful” or have “made it” (both very relative and highly subjective terms) humanizes them, and you realize they’ve got off days and ugly days just like everyone else. Also, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with (and so is your income), so why not surround yourself with people who inspire you and push you to be the best version of yourself?
Make it a goal to be the least experienced one in a challenging class of your choice, so you have the most to gain. Aim to be Most Improved Player instead of MVP. At the end of the day, you’re only competing against yourself.
Back to my super hard yoga class where everyone’s gorgeous and a couple yogis are actually Insta-famous. After practicing the way they do for years, I’ve surprised myself by being able to do a lot of the poses they can (And even some that a lot can’t! whaaat?!). The point is, we’re capable of developing all the skills of people we look up to. We just gotta set aside our egos and relish that we have a lot to learn and be willing to put in the work to get to where they are.
THOUGHT: “I’m not good enough.”
INSTEAD: “I’ve got a lot to learn and improve on, but I’m proud of who I am and am grateful for my life exactly as it is.”
Before you do a massive eye roll, let me assure you that this “Love your life exactly as it is” BS isn’t coming from a series reg rolling in $$$. In fact, I haven’t had any career-changing bookings at all this year. But although I’m not as far along in my career as I’d like, I honestly feel like I’ve made it already. And that freedom gives me the desire and openness to play in audition rooms.
We’ve all heard the definition of acting as “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances”. I don’t know about you, but the only way I can live truthfully is by being 100% myself. Those imaginary circumstances will be handed to you in the form of sides and maybe a script likely a day or two before your audition. You can deal with that part then. BUT the whole “living truthfully” part is something you can, and, IMO, should, practice your entire life. After all, if you’re being called in for a part, casting, Producers, and Directors, want to see YOU. And wouldn’t that audition be a lot easier and more enjoyable if you were proud of who you are and excited to show everyone exactly who you are in the imaginary circumstances provided you?
This seems contradictory to me, but a lot of actors seem to have resistance when it comes to showing people their authentic selves. There are walls. There is a fear of not being good enough. But that’s what being an actor is all about. Being you. In every imaginable situation.
So how do you learn to love being yourself? By learning to love and appreciate your life exactly as it is.
When you accomplish this, bookings don’t matter. And when you have no attachment to the result, you are free and have fun in every audition room! Afterwards, you get to go back to your amazingly awesome life and you frankly don’t give a crap what happens in the room or what anyone in there thinks of you.
Yes, traffic sucks. Rent payments suck. This heat wave really sucks. And when the hell am I finally gonna get that elusive next-level booking? But here are a few things in life you can control:
Surround yourself with ONLY positive, supportive, nurturing, and inspiring people. If you don’t know any in real life, find some inspirational blogs on the internet or meet some new friends on Bumble. Or hey, join the supportive, talented, go-getters in the Career ACTivate Elite Program!
Eat healthy. Ok, writing this makes me a hypocrite. So if, like me, boxed mac ‘n cheese happens to bring you joy, do it. Just…everything in moderation.
Remind yourself that you get to wake up every day and pursue your dream career, which is a privilege many will never have.
Recognize that you were called to this career for a reason. The world needs to see you for the unique weirdo you are. So accept yourself, improve what you can, and leave the rest of the quirks in place. They’ll make you stand out from everyone else in the room. Frankly, there ain’t nobody like you at all.
All this is taken care of before I ever get sides and an audition timeslot. But when I do- I can already guarantee I won’t be nervous, I can’t wait to imbue the character with every applicable aspect of my humanity, I’m ready to have fun in the room, and I won’t give a crap about the outcome.
The only thing left to do is a little background research on the project, learn the sides, and pick an outfit. Then go in, kill it, and go right back to living your awesome life as your totally awesome self.
