The road to success in Hollywood is a long one for any actor. Competition, perseverance, and resourcefulness are all required to succeed in this industry. Those who persevere and succeed in the face of adversity are rare indeed.
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On the other hand, this post isn’t meant to discourage you from giving it a shot. If I didn’t think the effort was worthwhile, I wouldn’t spend my days with actors. It is one of life’s most significant rewards to be compensated for doing what you love, and I believe that anyone who is willing to try this should have the right to do so.
Here are tips for coping with the difficulties of becoming an actor by making sure you’re always helping yourself. As a newcomer, you have enough to contend with, so don’t do anything that could jeopardize your ability to succeed.
The first few years of your career are crucial for determining whether or not you’re a good team player, so put your best foot forward at all times. I’ve seen too many actors succumb to everyday habits that indicate to casting directors, agents, managers, and the like that you’re not a good fit for the role. Then it becomes nearly impossible to begin a career.
While I’m not an expert, I’ve done my best to identify everyday bad habits and offer solutions. I wish you the best of luck in your career aspirations. Here are the three ways:
Know That You Belong
Irresistible insecurity is a snare. Everyone gets it at a point in their lives, but actors are particularly vulnerable because they put themselves in such a vulnerable position on stage and screen.
How did I do in that scene? “Was I good or what?” That audition was a disaster, wasn’t it? “What the hell am I doing?”
I’m sure they do — this is something that every actor has pondered at some point. A day on set can leave even the most seasoned actors wishing they could go back and redo everything they’ve just done.
Insecurity affects everyone; denying it serves no purpose, but fighting it does.
Because if you don’t, it will devour you to death. You will not be able to perform at your best if you constantly think about what you’re doing wrong and what other people think of you. Do you know where they aren’t? In the midst of things. In the here and now, Neither one of them is acting.
Having a solid network of people to lean on in times like these is critical. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, have people you can call, text, or talk to. Make sure you keep yourself with people who will remind you of your brilliance, the level of passion you have for your art, and how you’ve earned your place in the room.
Some actors I know call their families or partners at the end of each workday. So that they can check in, unload their anxieties about today, and get a reminder that the struggle is worthwhile.
While it’s practicable to get by without this, I think it’s a must-have. Have a friend or even a complete stranger who has no connection to the industry other than you as a source of information. As long as you know, they’ll be there for you when you need them. So it’s worth the effort.
It’s much easier to win when you’ve got an ally in the fight against insecurity.
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Check Your Ego at the Door
It is necessary to take pride in your work. It is impossible to expect someone else to advocate on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself.
While some actors are plagued by insecurity, others are plagued by ego.
If you’ve been in the business for a while, you’ll be able to tell egotistical actors apart. They’ll berate the crew in their dressing rooms and turn down great roles because they believe they are “below” them.
If you’re going to be a bad influence, you need to avoid this at all costs. Take acting seriously, but don’t let your ego get in the way of your success in the industry.
Ego and insecurity often stem from the same place: a need to prove yourself. However, while insecurity retreats within, ego erupts and brings misery to those around you.
When people are unhappy, they will remember that you are the one who brought them about. People in Hollywood talk to each other, and the news of a troublesome actor spreads quickly. Suddenly, actors aren’t getting called in for auditions, their network shrinks, and they’re forced to beg for roles they previously refused.
There are a number of strategies to ensure that you don’t overestimate your own abilities. After all, is it wrong to be proud of your accomplishments or to demand more in terms of work or compensation when you achieve some level of success? Definitely not.
Keep in mind that there’s always another actor out there who’d love to play your role and would accept it with no reservations at all. Furthermore, I mean “another hundred actors” when I say “another actor.”
Each performer has his or her special unique talents, and no actor can deliver the same show. Having said that, people may be willing to give someone else a shot if you have a bad enough reputation.
A different actor may be able to keep the filmmaking process from becoming a saga. But don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying an actor is always in danger or that they can be replaced at any point in time. Not at all. On the other hand, Ego does nothing for anyone, and if you have too much of it, you may find yourself in danger of being replaced.
Don’t be that actor. Instead, check your ego at the door.
You Can Want Something Too Much
This last one has an Asterisk attached to it. If you have a burning desire to pursue a career in acting, then go for it! Because of this, a career in the entertainment industry requires an insatiable desire to succeed. It’s a problem if you want everyone to know that you’re a willing participant in the life of an actor.
I’ve had actors who sent me the same resume, headshot, and reel over and over again, all with the same request: “Represent me!”
To be clear, these aren’t the actors who regularly check in to see if anything new has occurred. In my opinion, it’s a good idea to show others how far you’ve come in the workplace. But, on the other hand, actors repeatedly recite the same information and expect my response to change magically. It’s not going to happen. There is no one’s will.
Suddenly, you’ll be viewed as being needy, obnoxious, or even lazy by others. And you don’t want any of these words attached to your name at all.
It’s great advice to live by the maxim “Persistence Pays Off,” but there’s a catch. Only if you are working to advance your own career and not simply redistributing the same information does persistence matter.
Also true for established actors who are seeking representation. For example, actors who find themselves talking about the same project for months or even years should take a look at how they’re being portrayed, probably because they don’t want to be that way.
To get around this problem, you can always look for more work on your own to keep your resume fresh. It is possible to benefit from more hours at the office, but it is equally important to have a life outside of the workplace.
Fantasy baseball is a popular pastime for many people. A dog park is a favorite place for you to take your pet. An amateur magician, what are your thoughts on the matter. Whatever it is, find a hobby or activity outside of acting that you enjoy and that allows you to detach from your professional goals.
You’ll grow as a person and as an actor as a result of this experience. For example, the person you meet at the dog park, the fantasy draught, or the magic show could be the person who helps you land a new job in the future.
These activities, however, should not be seen as a way to land a job. Take a look at these things as ways to improve your quality of life. As a result, you’ll have plenty to talk about in 2015 aside from your commercial. There will be a momentary lull in the clamor. A person, not an actor, will be possible.
And you’ll be glad you took a break.
As a final point, here we are. Actors can become their own worst enemies in three ways, but there are ways to combat each of them. There are, of course, other ways to avoid engaging in these undesirable habits. I’m sorry to say, but an actor has many more dangers to avoid.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule for working with the industry. A reminder to actors that it’s not just about the work done in front of a camera but also the work done behind the scenes. If you keep it in your back pocket, you can refer to it as a reference throughout your professional life. Finally, it’s a means of empowering yourself to be your own best advocate.
Because Hollywood has a plethora of actors competing for the same roles, don’t be a bad person in any word.