Oh, How Far You've Come

When you are an actor, you know you spend most of your time not working in the job you love.  I've discussed different ways you could keep yourself busy during those down times, like producing your own stuff.

But sometimes not working can be pretty depressing and it can be hard to even get out of your pajamas much less be proactive.  I've talked about watching movies and reading plays when you feel down, but sometimes you're so far down the rabbit hole even that won't pull you out of it.

So, when I am spiraling down into that dark place, one thing I like to do is remind myself how far I've come.  No matter how long you've been following your dreams, I guarantee you've come a ways from where you started.  Think of everything you've learned since you began. 

I think of the plays I've been in and even the scenes I've done in class; all the short films I've helped out on or acted in.  Every little thing I've done has taught me something new about my chosen profession.  I know I've come far since I moved out here, but sometimes I need to take a moment to reflect on it all to really see it. 

I'm here to remind you that this business is a 10-year project (at the least.)  Yes, some people get lucky and make it before then, but don't expect that.  Just remember every step forward, no matter how small, is still a step towards where you want be and you gotta keep moving. 

But, it's okay every once and a while to look back to see just how far you've come.

How do You Keep Yourself Going?

People always say how difficult it is to be an actor because you hear "no" all the time.  This is actually  not true - most of the time you hear nothing at all.  The way most actors find out they were rejected is when they see another actor playing the role they auditioned for on TV.  Oh, awesome, that goofy bug-eyed girl got that commercial I went in for ... again.

But there is no way around it, being an actor is a life filled with rejection.  And I'm not going to lie: it is difficult and it will get to you.  The people who have longevity in this business are the ones who can take the rejection and keep moving forward.

When the rejection starts to get me feeling down, I look at the reasons I chose this career in the first place.  I love to act; I love the theater; I love performing; I love movies; I love plays.

My first step in fighting the rejection blues is by watching some of my favorite actors in their best performances.  I get the classics down and watch Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Singing in the Rain - the movies that made me want to be an actor in the first place.

Another way for me to fight the blues is by wandering around in the play section of my favorite used bookstore, The Iliad.  I grab a couple well-loved, marked up, highlighted plays for a couple bucks and curl up in a dark corner somewhere to read.  One secret of mine: I always act out all the parts in my head while reading a play.

If I am not on an upswing yet, then I pour myself into being more productive.  I find new classes; go to workshops; find offices to intern at.  Suddenly, I am too busy to feel depressed over some lousy one line role or a cheesy car commercial I didn't book.

What do you do to keep yourself moving forward?