There's Only One You

     As a working actor and professional coach, I try to keep several handy things in mind when it comes to navigating the treacherous waters that are the acting life. First of all, this is going to be hard, I mean really hard. The craft of acting study is rigorous enough. But when added to the labyrinth lifestyle that is the entertainment industry, it can be the most frustrating endeavor out there. Simply put, there is no way to luck into an acting gig without being more than prepared in the first place. Too many agents will tell you that in this day and age social media and brand marketing are the end-all be all. That will only get you part of the way there, at best. Take the time to learn your craft to the best of your abilities. You never know when that big opportunity is waiting around the corner. Often the part picks you, not the other way around. One thing I always tell my acting students is that there is no big break without first acquiring big skill. 

     One of my current acting roles is on a crime drama slotted for cable network called "10th Ave". We just got our IMDB page, I have to admit, and the whole process is very exciting: https://www.facebook.com/hellskitchenstory?fref=ts

The tapings are going exceedingly well, and mainly its just nice to finally take advantage of a pilot season. I, myself, only got the part when another actor had to drop out of the show. If it wasn't for a theatre friend thinking of me and mentioning me to the director I would have never found out about the gig at all.  I went from literally submitting to the director on a Thursday to filming on that following Sunday. And I bring this up just to hammer home the concept of marketing vs. skill building. If I hadn't performed well in my theatre run, then my friend would never have recommended me for the tv role in the first place. And I certainly would not have been able to keep the part if I had not been already prepared to step on to a set.

     Secondly, becoming an actor is becoming an entrepreneur. If you aren't prepared to be your own business CEO for the commodity that is your artwork, then you might as well step out of the game now. Too many sit back and wait for that ever elusive some-thing to happen. It doesn't work like that. Especially if you are an aspiring musician, you have to be even more business minded than your counterparts. Know your business goals, and what you expect from the next fiscal year. Have a foundation in marketing and branding techniques so that you don't sound like a total novice when you do get that all important meeting. This is a business. So you can't expect anyone else to do the homework for you. And if you don't do the homework, you will loose out. 

     And thirdly, be prepared to dare to be different. Remember, your lifestyle as a professional artist will be vastly different from 90 percent of the people you come across. Blending in is a way of the past. You have to dare to be different, and dare to be You. Even at auditions, too many people I come across are trying to play a type, or play the guessing game of reading the casting director's mind. You are not a mind reader, (and if you are, that should be your professional act, not pilot castings). You never know what that director has in mind for a role. If you've done your homework, and the headshot/resume is on point, then your best bet is always just to be yourself. There's a million types out there. There's only one you.