This Business is Tough (for everyone)

Last night, I went to a screening of the new Ron Howard flick, "Rush," plus Q&A with it's stars, Chris Hemsworth (aka Thor) and Daniel Bruhl (I don't know how to do umlauts on this computer.)  It's a beautiful film that is a character study about the Formula 1 drivers these guys play and the rivalry between them.  Both actors are amazing in their respective roles, each doing a wonderful job taking on these iconic drivers.

What I found interesting was these guys talking about how they got these roles.  Each had to audition.  Yep, one has a SAG award for his work on Inglourious Basterds under his belt and the other is Thor, from the 3rd highest grossing film of all time.  And both had to audition.

Here is what really struck me:  Chris Hemsworth couldn't get an audition for this film.  They weren't interested in seeing him.  (Did I mention that he is THOR?)   He wanted the role so much, once he read the script, that he proactively put himself on tape.  He picked a monologue and had his wife tape him in his hotel room (and, he says, approximately 115 takes later he was finally happy enough with it to send it to his agents in hopes that Ron would watch it.)

When I first heard this, I thought, if THOR can't get auditions, what hope could I possibly have?

But, that is the incorrect response.  What you should get out of this, is that no matter where you are in your career path you have to be proactive.  Sure you should get a hold of scripts, find roles that are right for you, and put yourself on tape.  But beyond that you got to be getting yourself out there, constantly creating.  Write roles for yourself, create characters, do plays.

What will absolutely kill your career is sitting home and waiting for someone else to call you with an opportunity.

Why your Happiness can't come from your Career

I've said it a few times before on this blog, but it deserves to be repeated: your happiness cannot be solely based on success in your career.  The first reason for this is fairly obvious: in any artistic profession hard work and desire don't always equal success in your career.

But there is more to it than that.  How is success defined?  Is it becoming a series regular on a show, being interviewed on the Late Night talk shows, or winning an Oscar?  If you do get this, then what?  Shows get cancelled; the interview is only 5 minutes; and someone else wins the Oscar next year.

The thing is that there is always another rung in the ladder and as long as you base your happiness on success there really is no end point that will give you that happiness. 

I am reminded of this sad fact by some of the recent deaths in young Hollywood, people whose careers by all outward appearances were going great.

So, where does your happiness come from?

I can tell you some places my happiness comes from: creating art, finishing a project, and Disneyland ... oh, and when the house is clean. 

The important thing is to have a full life, a life outside of Hollywood.