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Navigating Fear (1920 x 1152 px)

Feel The Fear & Do It Anyway: Navigating Fear As An Actor

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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?

** Looking for an actor community? Join our Career ACTivate Success Network!**

Let me know how it goes. I’m cheering you on!

Coach Sarah
Moving Markets (1920 x 1152 px)

Moving Markets: 5 Questions To Ask Yourself

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Have you ever considered moving to a different market? Maybe you’re ready for a change of scenery. Or perhaps you’ve heard that more opportunities await in other markets. 

It’s true that the days when LA was the only ‘movie town’ in the country, let alone the continent, are gone. Virtually every corner of North America is ripe with productions and every city has its own draw and appeal. 

But before you take the plunge, pack up, and load out, here are a few things to consider:

1. Where do you want to go and why?

Do you live in a remote small town that feels isolated and disconnected from the industry? Are you in a big city and feeling lost or overwhelmed by the constant buzzing energy? Does the appeal of a change of scenery excite you? Is the FOMO real? Asking yourself some real tough questions and getting down to the brass tacks of it is vital to understanding what is inspiring your itchy feet. Setting yourself up with a clear intention will change the way you approach the process entirely! 

After spending almost a decade in London, I found myself reluctantly back in Toronto, my home turf. Within the first few months of being back, I struggled to feel settled. Work was landing but something still didn’t feel quite right. It was on a blustery winter day that I realized I needed to head south and explore LA. Toronto just wasn’t the right place for me anymore and I wanted to be in the place where the decisions were being made. Truthfully, though, I‘d hit my threshold for the cold. So, I decided to do a little recon mission and check out the city for pilot season. If nothing else, I could escape the dreary winters! 

For three years, while my Green Card was being processed, I came down with dozens of other Canadians and every year, I learned to love LA even more. Every year, I took classes, met new people, and got to know the city better, eventually making it official and moving down. If it wasn’t for the first recon mission and the network I started building then, my formal move would have proven to be a lot more difficult, I’m sure of it. Most importantly, I knew LA was where I wanted to be.

2. What do you know about the place you’re interested in going to?

Have you ever paid the city a visit? If you’ve never spent any time in the city of interest, do yourself a favor and go check it out. A week or two is all it takes. Sometimes the idea is better than the reality and you won’t know til you spend some time there.

3. Immigration

Do you have the right to work in the place you want to move? Or do you need to apply for a visa, work permit, or residency? Without the right to work, well, you can’t work. If you’re dreaming of moving countries, this is definitely something you’ll want to consult a lawyer on. The moment I knew I wanted to be in LA, I consulted an immigration lawyer to discuss my options and see what would be the right course for me.

4.  Do you know anyone who lives there?

Is there a community you can connect with? Your experience moving to a new city will be informed by the people you surround yourself with. By taking classes and going to events, I was able to meet so many new people and then basically choose who I wanted to be in my inner circle. In a new place, friends really do become the family we choose.

5. Research the industry of the place!

What shoots in town? Are there local Film Festivals or events you can tap into? Get to know the players and decision-makers so when you make your entrance, you’re well equipped.

Taking the time to reflect on these points and asking yourself some specific questions can offer you some great insights into how best to make a life-changing decision. One that you’ll be proud you made and feel good about!

 

Get Paid Like A Boss (1920 x 1152 px)

Get Paid Like A Boss

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You don’t have to tell me that tax time can be dramatic.

Collecting paystubs, statements, 1099s and W2s takes a ton of coordination and time which, as you know, is always in short supply. It can be downright stressful. But sometimes tax time can be…surprising.

Just like every year, when my W-2s come in, I open each one and check it out. I’m pretty organized (spoiler alert: I love a good spreadsheet), so I’m pretty much up-to-date with my theatrical earnings. Commercial residuals can be trickier to know off the top of my head because of the different pay structures associated with each contract type. But I digress…

This year, as I was getting all my tax paperwork in, there were no surprises until I got to the paperwork for a commercial for which I’d been paid approximately $1,200. Shockingly, the W-2 was for just under $10,000. That meant that I was missing $8,700 in commercial residual payments!

Sadly, this is not an uncommon occurrence. In a 2018 story, The Hollywood Reporter estimated that as much as $315 Million in residuals could be going unpaid annually. Yikes!

It’s super important that you approach this situation from a CEO’s point of view. Stay professional, don’t jump to conclusions, be patient and diligent.

I immediately called the payroll company listed on my W-2 and was told by the very helpful accounting rep that commercial residual checks get lost in the mail all the time. Because they’re still using paper checks…in 2022!

So, how can you make sure all your hard-earned $$$ makes it into your pocket?

Keep scans/photos of all your contracts – all you need is your phone’s camera! 

  • You can create albums in your phone’s camera app or offload them onto your computer. Just make sure you know where to find them at the end of the year.

Check your end-of-year tax paperwork

  • Match all your tax forms up to your paystubs/direct deposits – this doesn’t even require any math! All you have to do is match up the fields labeled “Gross.”

What if they don’t match up?

  • Request a Talent Earnings Report from the payroll company listed on your W-2 along with copies of the cashed checks. You can do this by email or by phone. I called and had the info emailed to me in less than 5 minutes. Easy-peasy!
  • Reach out to your reps and ask for a Client Summary Report. This will include the Gross, Net, Tax Deductions & Commissions paid.

Now what?

From here, you’ll be able to see if your agency received all of your checks.

If checks are missing or unaccounted for, reach out to the payroll company and ask them to cancel any missing checks and reissue them. You can also ask your agency to reach out to payroll on your behalf.

You may still be getting your footing feeling like the badass boss that you are. Fear may sneak in because you don’t want to make waves with your agency or feel accusatory. But remember: this is business. The CEO of any other small business would feel empowered to take care of their finances and you can, too.

It’s up to you to make sure you get every cent of your badass boss paycheck. And you will be a more well-respected business person when you do!

So, what would you do with $8,700 unexpected dollars? Tell me in the comments below.

 

Your Power (1920 x 1152 px)

Are you giving away your power?

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Sometimes it just feels most comfortable to go with the flow and not rock the boat. But, let’s be honest for a hot sec: giving up your power is uncomfortable, too, and can have negative consequences. By power, we’re not talking brute strength , we mean holding to your boundaries and doing what’s right for you, especially on-set.

In our newest vlog, Coach Eric explores several ways that he sees actors give up their power when they fear being seen as a “difficult” actor. After booking 14 TV shows and commercials last year alone, he’s seen a lot. You may have even done one or more of the things Eric talks about.

So, whether you already feel powerful, or you’re looking for a boost, Coach Eric has some great advice to help you keep hold of your power in our vlog.

Audition Curveballs (1920 x 1152 px)

What Tom Hanks Taught Me About Baseball and Acting

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What Tom Hanks Taught Me About Baseball and Acting

Tom Hanks famously said in A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.”

Even though Coach Jimmy Dugan from the movie was talking about baseball, Career ACTivate‘s Coach Eric applies this philosophy to his acting career. And you can, too.

Coach Eric hits a grand slam with his great advice on how to create the right mindset when you get thrown an audition curveball.

He shared tips about:

  • The pros and cons of memorization
  • How to position ad-libs, improvisation & buttons to be memorable
  • A simple process to fin the right audition coach (and when you may not even need one)

When you’re ready to get off the bench, click below to watch Coach Eric’s vlog so you can book a commercial home run of your own.

Below is the finished commercial that Eric booked using his vlog tips

Interested or Interesting (1920 x 1152 px)

Are You Interested OR Interesting?

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Producer Jimmy Nguyen dropped in for a Q&A with our Elite Clients to talk about the difference between being interested and interesting. 

His insight just might be a big wake up call. 

You’ll also learn: 

  • What one thing actors do that drives casting crazy (and not in the good way)
  • The best way to ask for what you want
  • Who you should be “networking” with

Watch below to see some of Jimmy’s suggestions on how you can be the kind of business-person who finds success in your career.

PS. if you’d like to get guided step-by-step through how to best build relationships, deepen those relationships, and collaborate with people whose work you really respect, check out our Relationship Roadmap Live Virtual Program. 

The Self-Tape That Got Melina The LEAD In A TV Project (1920 x 1152 px)

The Self-Tape That Got Her Booked As The LEAD In A TV Project

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The Self-Tape That Got Her Booked As The LEAD In A TV Project

What does it take to book a lead on TV?  I’ll show you…Elite Client Melina’s audition tape helped her book the lead of a TV movie (this was her first TV role too!).  You can watch the tape below.This was one of the various audition tapes we shared during our Elite Client Self-Tapes that BOOKED: Behind the Scenes VIP Event.  

Actors shared how they got the audition, what the audition process was like, and tips they used to book the roles they did.  Here’s a snippet of what Melina shared during the event about her tape: she added a button to her first scene and added a little bit of improvisation as well.

To follow her career, follow her on Instagram: @melinabartzokis

The Dangers of Saying YES (1920 x 1152 px)

The Danger of Saying YES to Every Job

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Like most actors, you’re probably self-submitting to every job you’re right for. And why not? Work begets work. After all, at the end of the day all you really want is to act!

As you continue building your professional reputation, you probably never see a time when you’ll say, “no,” to a project. But, maybe you should.

In this week’s vlog, Coach Eric highlights the PROs and CONs of always saying, “yes.”

Things to take into consideration include:

  • What’s better: Quantity or Quality
  • Are low-paying jobs keeping you from higher paid opportunities
  • Do these bookings keep you in the same tier or do they help you move up

Saying, “no,” doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. But, it can help you level-up!

Check out Coach Eric’s vlog to see if you’re ready to say YES to saying NO!

Are you pushing their buttons?

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Are you pushing their buttons?

BUTTONS!

You’ve seen those personal little moments at the end of a scene or commercial. Maybe you’re already using them yourself. But are your buttons working for you or against you?

In this week’s vlog, Coach Eric shares his 3 tips to create memorable buttons that have led to many commercial and TV show bookings.

Buttons can be a truly effective way to make you stand out. Make sure you’re pushing the right buttons for casting.

How To WIN Pilot Season

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How To WIN Pilot Season

We’re in the middle of pilot season. Popular myth: NOW is the best time to focus on booking a series regular.

With the right marketing, an awesome rep, and a little luck, any actor can land a regular role on a new series, so that’s what you should focus on, right?

Wrong. Booking a series regular just might be the worst thing to focus on this pilot season.

Coach Ryan will explain why in this week’s vlog.

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