October 28, 2014
There is nothing like being on set. For me, it's like stepping into a world I was meant to be part. I know this is what I am supposed to be doing.
There is an adrenaline rush. When I see an email from a particular casting director my heart races. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.
Actually being on set, going through wardrobe and hair and makeup, is exhilarating. There's no feeling like it. It's not about being starstruck, although, to be honest, that does happen.
No. This is about the feeling of being where you're supposed to be. It's about me finally feeling like I belong somewhere. Yes I am just a background artist/background player, extra, whatever you want to call it, but I am part of something that is pretty damn cool.
It can be repetitive. It can be frustrating. There are times when you feel like cattle as you are herded from location to location. It's long hours and little pay but I wouldn't trade any of it for another job. I love what I do and I know that I will eventually land a role that will catch someone's attention and then I will be on my way. I just have to be patient and keep my head down and do the work.
That's where it gets tricky.
It's tricky because it's not always like it. It truly is 'feast or famine.' I will go weeks without any emails or phone calls, and then, out of the blue, I will six or seven opportunities present themselves.
The waiting is excruciating. I try to keep myself busy-distracted-by conducting the business of being an actor. I research and look for casting notices. I work on my resume and on-line resources. for instance, I'm currently working on a website. As I mentioned I Tweet. I work at my craft.
And still the feelings of self-doubt and lack of confidence come creeping back.
That's where I am at right now.
Auditioning and not getting the job is hard but you get used to it. Rejection is just part of this business. You can probably find a hundred articles on the internet about rejection and actors who got rejection after rejection until, finally, it happened.
It.
We all want it to happen to us.
We all pray for it. We all will do most anything for it.
We will stand out in rain and snow and temperatures that range from 100 and above to 0 and below. We will perform without complaint.
It is the precious and we all want the precious.
I don't know what to say about these low times when it feels as if you are being completely ignored. It's hard. Rejection is hard. It's an awful feeling to feel as if you are unwanted. I guess we all handle that in our own ways.
I have shared these feelings with other actors so I know it is a universal thing. My wife tells me to take it personally but that's not as easy as it sounds. I've tried.
Acting is like 5th grade kickball.
You just want to be picked. You want to be in the game.
My advice to anyone who is feeling like this is: keep doing the work. Every day. Keep positive and don't fall into those emotional and psychological pitfalls. Depression and anxiety and lack of confidence will not get you work.
I know it sounds like Dr. Phil drivel, but what's the alternative?
Sitting in a dark room writing a blog?
There is nothing like being on set. For me, it's like stepping into a world I was meant to be part. I know this is what I am supposed to be doing.
There is an adrenaline rush. When I see an email from a particular casting director my heart races. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.
Actually being on set, going through wardrobe and hair and makeup, is exhilarating. There's no feeling like it. It's not about being starstruck, although, to be honest, that does happen.
No. This is about the feeling of being where you're supposed to be. It's about me finally feeling like I belong somewhere. Yes I am just a background artist/background player, extra, whatever you want to call it, but I am part of something that is pretty damn cool.
It can be repetitive. It can be frustrating. There are times when you feel like cattle as you are herded from location to location. It's long hours and little pay but I wouldn't trade any of it for another job. I love what I do and I know that I will eventually land a role that will catch someone's attention and then I will be on my way. I just have to be patient and keep my head down and do the work.
That's where it gets tricky.
It's tricky because it's not always like it. It truly is 'feast or famine.' I will go weeks without any emails or phone calls, and then, out of the blue, I will six or seven opportunities present themselves.
The waiting is excruciating. I try to keep myself busy-distracted-by conducting the business of being an actor. I research and look for casting notices. I work on my resume and on-line resources. for instance, I'm currently working on a website. As I mentioned I Tweet. I work at my craft.
And still the feelings of self-doubt and lack of confidence come creeping back.
That's where I am at right now.
Auditioning and not getting the job is hard but you get used to it. Rejection is just part of this business. You can probably find a hundred articles on the internet about rejection and actors who got rejection after rejection until, finally, it happened.
It.
We all want it to happen to us.
We all pray for it. We all will do most anything for it.
We will stand out in rain and snow and temperatures that range from 100 and above to 0 and below. We will perform without complaint.
It is the precious and we all want the precious.
I don't know what to say about these low times when it feels as if you are being completely ignored. It's hard. Rejection is hard. It's an awful feeling to feel as if you are unwanted. I guess we all handle that in our own ways.
I have shared these feelings with other actors so I know it is a universal thing. My wife tells me to take it personally but that's not as easy as it sounds. I've tried.
Acting is like 5th grade kickball.
You just want to be picked. You want to be in the game.
My advice to anyone who is feeling like this is: keep doing the work. Every day. Keep positive and don't fall into those emotional and psychological pitfalls. Depression and anxiety and lack of confidence will not get you work.
I know it sounds like Dr. Phil drivel, but what's the alternative?
Sitting in a dark room writing a blog?
Just keeping it reel.
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