Competing with the Best

So, you want to be a working actor? Or you’re just dreaming about it? Perhaps you already got an acting gig, and now you’re taking acting classes to make sure you get the next…?

Well, you’re already in competition with the best. The blatantly, obviously gifted, with gorgeous looks, deep pockets and a fancy theatre school on their CV. Give up now, or take them on…

You’re still here?

• Get a notebook, write down things you see the people you admire doing, as my colleague Tom says, don’t HATE – EMULATE.

• If anyone asks for a volunteer, get off your ass, they don’t give out roles for politely demurring to your competition.

• Get a notebook, read books, glean practical advice, start putting it into practice today.

• Read plays, reads scripts, read acting books, read directing books, read writing and lighting design books, understand your industry.

• Go to Museums – learn about history, go to the library (big building full of books) so when you do a period piece, you don’t feel like someone that knows more about Apple than Newton.

• Read the classics, read poetry.  Immerse yourself in culture.

• Stay fit and healthy, eat well, drink plenty of water.

• Attend the opening of anything you can galleries, theatres, films, envelopes… – get to know who the cultural leaders are in your city.

• Network with anyone, the larger your network, the better your chances of utilising it, quantity and not quality is the key to networking, because you never know when that guy you helped once who works in IT, could be the producer’s brother.

• Get to know business people, they’re not addicted to poverty like creative people, they’re not ashamed to make money and they will teach you earn a living and keep it.

• You are a brand, think about marketing, but before you get in people’s face, make sure you actually have something to sell. Actors – websites and facebook pages and business cards are great, and when you get someone’s attention, make sure you’ve actually done something to back it all up.