Photo Credit: Andrius Petrucenia via cc
About Sanna Haynes – I’m an actress and I teach acting. I write screenplays. I paint, draw, dance ballet, I sing, I am horrible at tap dance (trying to work on that one), I visualize films in my brain, I yoga it up most mornings, I like to organize.
Actors Need to Keep Fighting
No, I’m not a big fan of violence.
However, regardless of whether you agree with fighting or not, I think we can all agree that a more “metaphorical” fight is at hand.
…but how much do we really grasp that we gotta keep fighting?
Ok, ok. Back up.
I once heard a statistic about Los Angeles. AAAAND here I go butchering said statistic in an awful paraphrase:
Most young people who move to Los Angeles for a Hollywood career last an average of two years before moving back home(or away).
I apologize if you are, indeed, the statistician who originally crunched these numbers and I am WAAAAY off. I couldn’t find the study online.
After relocating to continue working in Atlanta, I began seeing something similar happen in my city.
People would quit. And people still quit.
With our chunk of Hollywood here in the Southeastern United States, many people take a stab at their dream career, and then… jump ship. When times get tough, and the phone stops ringing.
I don’t blame them. Maybe a career in this industry isn’t worth the headache.
If you are an actor, so much of what we do is a numbers game. Yeah, sure, they are trying to find the right person for the part.
Overnight success?
Ha. That’s a myth.
Photo Credit: Brenda Clarke (background) via cc
There are many actors/writers/crew members/etc who develop a weird idea in their heads: the belief that there are malicious people out there who seek to hold down their respective careers.
Is that scenario impossible?
No. However, here’s the thing: most people working in this industry are too busy to commit to that passive aggressive mindset.
Here’s the cool thing about this industry:
Most contacts(that I’ve met, anyway) for whom you audition, interview, etc. — they WANT you to succeed!
They aren’t trying to hold you down – well, perhaps one or two have that sort of attitude, but most do not.
If you are good at what you do, they want to give you a chance. They just need the right “fit” for you.
And that is why you need to keep fighting. Be seen. Work to get to the top of their lists.
Other Guest Posts from Actor Hub
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A great Set Designer needs to be able to take their artistic sensibilities and skills and apply them to the whole vision of the show. They will consider the movement of the actors, the potential difficulties of costumes and the location and operations of lighting and sound equipment. -
To truly play a role you need to be able to look inside yourself and find what is within you which you share with the character. It can take bravery to find it but when you are able to it will be a revelation. -
From our guest blogger Prof. Palmer – Are you looking for tips on how NOT to succeed as an actor? Here’s a list of ways to end your acting career before its even begun!! -
A Music Director is in the Director’s corner and has his/her back on the artistic decisions that affect the show. They know how to take that vision and translate it into the music and make it workable for the singers, dancers and the musicians. -
Successful actors didn’t get to where they are by being a diva off stage. It takes years before you are able to throw a queeny strop! Here are our seven habits to help you on your way up the ladder -
When you are acting Shakespeare you can often explore character over language. Here is a fun video exercise from the BBC archive for rediscovering the language. -
Acting is a business afterall so you’re allowed to claim tax deductions for some acting expenses that you incur from the acting income you’ve earned. Always consult your tax advisor about tax deductions and always keep accurate records of your acting expenses. Here is a quick guide on the expenses that you can claim for. -
When you are acting Shakespeare you will often need to stretch yourself to extreme emotions. Here is a fun video exercise from the BBC archive for playing with emotional levels. -
We all love the thrill of trying on a costume – but you need to treat your costume and the wardrobe guys with a certain level of respect.
