If you’re going to quit, do it now

Most people are of the flawed belief that with acting, as with writing and other difficult endeavours, you either have it or you don’t.

Bull.

Some people seem to have more of a knack for it than others. But others learn to learn a skill.

This belief in innate talent means people give up on becoming an actor because they fear they don’t ‘have it’. Or when their ability meets resistance. The industry, overwhelmed with actors happily goes along with the Talent Myth.

Well, I want to say this with support in my heart, but if you’re going to give up, do it now. Don’t waste any more time and money on this.

If you’re gonna quit, then quit now. Save yourself the time, the money, the heart ache, get a normal job, a normal life and be happy because if you’re quitter, then you’ll quit!

But these moments, the drama school audition, the ninth audition rejection in a month, the rejection slip accompanying your play, these things are spurs to drive you on and the truly successful have learned to overcome them.

Who?

Dustin Hoffman made it into drama school on his 9th attempt.

August Strindberg had 8 plays rejected before he had one produced.

Clint Eastwood was told he was too ugly to act.

Fred Astaire was written off with ‘can’t act, can’t sing, dances a little’.

To become an actor demands a resilience that I really hope you have.

Take heart from those stories. The only way to definitely fail is to quit.