Meme me me me me

"Be so good they can't ignore you."

Steve Martin

(Yes. That Steve Martin)

Be original. Give them something they've never seen before 

and then do it better than anyone has ever done it before. 

There is a lot of competition out there. More than there has ever been before. 

Advances of technology and a change in the industry that requires to self-tape and submit for acting jobs quite literally means anyone anywhere can audition for roles. 

Anyone. Anywhere. 

The key here is 'Be So Good.' You have to be good. You have to be able to offer something of value and you sure as Hell should have some discernible talent. 

Too much of what people are trying to do these days to get noticed isn't good. 

There's far too many idiots injuring themselves and posting their self-mutilation tapes on YouTube. 

I'm sure the hope is they will get noticed and then someone will make a star out of them. 

Sure. Sounds reasonable. Anyone can be a celebrity these days. Anyone. 

You know exactly who I am talking about. 

They are ex-models and reality television personalities. 

They're not actors. They're not singers. 

They are cartoons, cartoons which have been elevated to the level of celebrity. 

All you need to be a celebrity these days in The United States 

is a viral video or a big ass or a viral video of your big ass. We will make a celebrity out of any poor slob who happens to get a million views of their video. Then we get bored with them and move on. 

These celebriots-a new word I just coined-

were handed their stardom without really earning it.

There is no substance here though. There is no training or sacrifice or appreciation.

There are magazine covers and horrible television shows but there is no heart. 

An actor, a real artist, works for everything they have. 

An actor, a real artist, struggles for everything they have. 

There is sacrifice. There is sweat and blood and tears. 

There are also no guarantees. 

None. Zip. Nada. 

There is just talent, dedication, hard work, and hope. 

Having said all that...

I can't feed my family with a reel. 

I can't pay my bills with an IMDb credit. 

This is a tough business. 

Understatement of the year. 

What makes it tougher is that the money isn't that great most of the time. There's usually more going out than there is coming in and that conflict sometimes blurs your vision. I've said it before, this is not a business for the weak. You will get stepped on and stepped over if you're not prepared. You have to look at it like a business because that's exactly what it is. 

All of sudden this dark cloud forms overhead. A business? What?!  But I'm an artist! 

This is about passion! This is about heart! 

Yep. It sure is. 

It's also a business in which you have to have money to make money. 

Head shots cost money. Travel to auditions costs money. Classes and workshops cost money. Websites and business cards cost money. 

There are plenty of people in the business today who want to write and direct their dream  project. Everyone has dreams and that's wonderful. The hard truth of the matter is, though, everyone also has responsibilities. Well, responsible people that is. 

Here's what I say to people who want to take that short story they wrote in college 

and turn it into a short film or a feature film. 

Get the money together first. Establish a budget that includes paying your talent. Once you raise the money you need so the production is a quality you can be proud of and you can pay all involved, then move forward. Now's the time to audition actors and tell them exactly what you are able to pay them. 

Some actors don't even think about this as issue. They'll take non-paying jobs left and right just to say they are working. Working for credit and a box lunch or Papa John's pizza, in most cases, but that's neither here nor there. It's their choice. I won't disparage them or their choices they make regarding their careers. 

I worked for free. I've worked on those projects which are my passion projects. I decided to work on these particular projects mostly because of the team that I will have the chance to work with and because I know we will create something amazing. This happens once a year. 

I think that if you take a certain number of free acting gigs, you become the actor who will work for free. Be the actor who shows up on time, prepared for the day's work and who is professional and pleasant to be around! 

 Amazingly you can still be all those wonderful, positive things 

and still get paid. Yes. Yes you can. You should be paid for doing the work.

Look. Kudos to anyone who has a dream and wants to pursue it. 

Whatever it may be, go for it and do it the best you can. 

If you want to work for free then do that. 

If you want to only do background work, then do that. 

If you just like to be on set and be in the atmosphere and are independently wealthy and don't really care that at the end of the day all you're going to get is a t-shirt and a handshake, well, then, good for you and have fun. 

Every single one of us is on the same path but we are all on different courses. 

Knowing what path you're on is the first step. 

Be focused. Be talented. Be strong. 

Kudos to all who have a vision and want to see it come to fruition. Pursue your dream and make it happen! More power to you. I mean that sincerely.

I have a dream too. I have a vision. 

I want to be paid the appropriate compensation for my talent and time.

That is what I wish for anyone in this industry. That your talent is rewarded.

Just keeping it reel. 

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