Are You a Professional?

I recently saw this quote from Stephen King:

If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn't bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented.

Of course he is talking about authors, but it also applies to any artists including actors.  How good does it feel to get paid to do this job you love so much, even if it is just a $100 a day film that requires you to change in an In-N-Out restroom.  Feels even better when you cash that check and it doesn't bounce.

Nice to feel valued as a professional in your chosen career.  But, the trick is to act like a professional even when you are not being paid.

So, what does it mean to be a professional actor if it isn't a paycheck?

• KNOW YOUR BUSINESS  You should make it your job to know what is in production, who is producing what, what casting directors are working on what show, what shows you are right for (and everything is not a good answer.)  How do you find out this information?  Read the trades like Deadline Hollywood, get a CastingAbout account, watch television shows, and talk to your agent - which leads me to my next point ...
• TALK TO YOUR AGENT  and the other people on your "team" regularly.  Let them know when you are dying to go out on a project or if you just saw a casting director at a workshop.  Not only will this help them to get you on a new project, it also shows them that you are working for yourself as well.  Look, I'm not saying call your agents everyday just to chat, but if you have a legitimate reason to reach out to them then do it.  Ask them if there are any particular casting directors they want you to reach out to or what more you can be doing.
• BE ON TIME  LA folks I am looking at you hard about this one.  Why is it so hard to be on time to places?  I mean, I've seen people late to class, auditions, even to plays - what did you think? That they were going to hold the curtain on "Book of Mormon" for you because you hit a bit of traffic on the 101?  Okay, okay, okay I get traffic is bad here, but you know what, it is always bad!  That means you leave an hour early and if you get to where you are going early then hang out a Starbucks (you know there has got to be one nearby).
• KEEP UP WITH YOUR TRAINING  Professionals in nearly every field from doctors to airline pilots will take classes, go to conferences, read the latest trade magazines to keep themselves sharp.  Don't allow your instrument to go dull by not improving on yourself.  I once heard: if you aren't moving forward then you are going backwards, there is no such thing as a plateau in acting.  There are always improvements to be made and you can't allow yourself to slip backwards.  If you aren't in classes right now, you should at the very least do something everyday for your acting.  You can read a play, watch some of the great actors work, write a script, etc.

Look, don't be one of those actors that are just playing at this career.  You know the ones who think going to Hollywood parties is all they need to do to be a great actor.  Maybe it will get them a job on a film and they may even get paid as an actor from it, but that certainly doesn't make them a professional.

Where is your Passion?

I recently watched an amazing documentary called, "Jiro Dreams of Sushi."  Every artist out there needs to start streaming this movie off of NetFlix right now.  Seriously, go do it, I'll wait ...

... great, welcome back.  How good was that film?  Did you see why I think every artist needs to watch it?  There is so much there for actors and artists.  One point I really wanted to talk about was Jiro's passion.

Jiro is so passionate about his sushi and making it absolutely perfect.  It is all he thinks about; he even dreams about it.  It's his love, so much so that he hates to take a day off from his sushi restaurant.

That passion is poured into every bite of sushi he creates and has earned him the title of best sushi chef in the world. 

This is how passionate you need to be about your acting career. 

Yes, there are days when I'm feeling crappy about myself and I don't want to get out of bed to go to class, but I do.  Actually, those are the days I probably need it the most.  Once I'm on stage all that other crap falls away and I remember why I do this.  I love acting and it makes me feel whole to be on stage.

Jiro has spent 80 years perfecting his craft and that passion has never left.  So, when you are feeling down about your career, remember it takes a lifetime to reach your full potential at anything.  Keep working and remember to never lose that passion.

With passion for your art, plus hard work you will find success in this world.  It may not be the success you thought you'd find, but it will make you an amazing artist.