E-Report #3
"Think Long Term"
“I
want it all and I want it now!” Sound familiar? A great number
of my past students
have wanted to become a star, now. Right this minute, no time to
study, do homework, learn lines, actually become good at their
art, no, just want it NOW!! Hmmmmmmmm.
Well
this may be a slight exaggeration, but only slight. I tell
students that they have to work hard, learn the ropes, commit to
exercises…. “Yes, yes I will!” sound out their eager
replies.
“And you're
prepared to think long term” I state.
“Yes, yes, as
long as it takes!” (God love em!)
“What if you
don't get a good ‘break' until next year?”
“That's
fine”
“What about
three years?” I offer, noticing a slight, maybe dramatic pause before they
answer.
“Yes, I'll
keep working”
“Ten years? Twenty?” Silence. “You know there
are many great actors who didn't get their ‘big break' until their forties.
Ready for that?” Silence. “And many more who didn't get their big break at
all because they weren't prepared for the long term, they dropped out too
soon.”
Many
of my students have gone on to great careers outside the
entertainment industry, by choice, many do amateur theatre and
this fulfills their needs. And then there are others who are still
trekking the long term and those who are well on the way. It's
interesting that one of my students, who I gave the ‘long term'
speech to and who genuinely was ready and prepared at the age of
fifteen to see out the long haul, is now eighteen years of age,
done five feature films, one series and is ready for an
international career! Be ready for the long term, but that doesn't
necessarily mean it will be a long haul.
So,
are you ready to do what it takes to make it as an actor? Are you
ready and prepared for the long term? Please don't get me wrong, I
hope I haven't sounded like the road is tedious and full of
hardship woe and sorrow. If you are genuinely working towards a
great career then there will be numerous successes along the way.
Your first play, first short film, first professional gig, first
commercial etc…. and all the while you'll be doing what you
love. It is hard work but it doesn't have to be ‘hard'. Enjoy
the journey and make the most of it, so when that big break does
come along, you are ready and can embrace it fully. Some people
get the break when they weren't ready and so….. “What ever
happened to……???” Be ready!
To sum up
If acting is what you want to do and
you can't imagine doing anything else and you love it with all
your heart then think long term, the rewards are well worth it.
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