Acting Career - Getting It In Gear

By Bob Fraser

As Autumn begins it's magic with the leaves and such, it's a good time to review our career and make a few adjustments. It's 'getting serious' time again ... in the old green room.

"Not gonna make those same darn mistakes this season! Starting today, I'm going to buckle down and get somewhere in my acting career! Yup, it's time to think about changing my ways ... and changing my results. I am absolutely inspired to get going now. I'm tired of the same old working for free and hoping for lightning to strike."

The good news is that planning to change your results will actually work – if you follow a few simple steps.

First step: Write your plans down.

Don't argue, just do it. It works.

Secondly, here's a list of tested ideas to ponder as you make these – well, let's just call them, "notes to remind me what I am determined to DO ... starting today."

#1 A dream without hard work to realize it ... is just a dream.

Bottom line? Building a successful acting career is really hard work. Twas ever thus. However, keep in mind that one of the keys to success (in our business) is to never let the hard work show. That means, keep it to yourself. Don't complain, don't explain, don't commiserate. (Co-misery, get it?)

If you want to 'make it,' you are going to have to work very hard – and never let it show.

Is it worth all the hard work? Only you can answer that one.

Are you gonna start working hard ... without complaint?

Write it down.

#2 A business without testing and tracking results is not a business - it's a hobby.

Sending out your headshots willy nilly, to all corners of the biz, without regard to the results you are getting – is the road to frustration, anger, suspicion, and other sorts of negative states of mind. This is not a good result for you.

You must "test." Keep track of your submissions. Keep a count. Check results.

If you really want to get the best results, don't do mass mailings. Target your mailings. Only submit to your 'best chance' opportunities. Someone who is actually looking for an actor of your type is a much better test than a name picked out randomly from the latest casting directors' listings.

In our business it is important to know if your headshot is 'working' for you. It is the only way in the door – so, if your headshot isn't working, you have to move on... fast.

Here's a basic tracking technique. What's your ROII? (Rate of Interest & Interviews.) If you are not getting a decent number of calls from your submissions (unsolicited advertising has as it's average, about 3 out of 100) ... the problem is almost certainly your headshot. It's not selling you. It's not doing it's job. It is not working. (It may be the picture you love, but if it isn't working for you, it's time to fire it.)

So, are you gonna keep track of things? 

Write it down.

Gonna move on if your picture isn't working? 

Write it down.

#3 A business without capital investment is a business that will almost surely fail.

What's it going to be? A new iPod or new headshots? That cute leather coat that makes you look hot, or more money in the bank to pay your SAG initiation fee? A full-time JOB to pay off your credit cards, or TIME to do good projects?

If you aren't making a substantial financial and time contribution to your business, what makes you think anyone else will?

Are you gonna take care of "money issues" this year? 

Write it down. 

Are you gonna use your time to actually accomplish things? 

Write it down.

#4 Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to keep repeating their mistakes.

Again there are so many choices. Is it going to be another re-run of Seinfeld or getting out and auditing an acting class? Weekends relaxing, or weekends working? Auditioning or just 'vegging out?' Socializing or continuing education? Going to the movies - or being IN the movies?

Maybe we should finally define exactly what it is we ARE doing... is this a hobby or a business? Naturally these are your decisions, so put them into your own words – just be sure to ...

Write it down.

#5 It isn't always about me.

Well, it isn't. Be sure to write that one down. I put this one at the top of my list every year. It's a hard one to remember in the 'heat of ambition.'

#6 Happiness is doing what you love ... and getting paid for it.

You should always remember that an acting career was your choice – others may even have urged you to reconsider. Some probably even laughed and pointed (figuratively, of course) and told you, in no uncertain terms, that you were nuts to even consider it. You decided to try anyway. 

That being said, whether you TRY in a professional manner (or not) is ALSO your choice. No matter what anybody else thinks, says or does – only you can improve your results. If you love doing it. DO IT. Don't look for an invitation or someone else's approbation. Don't expect others to make it happen FOR you.

Get real.

Work hard.

Pay attention to business.

Do it yourself.

Here's a good thing to repeat fairly often; "If it is to be, it's up to me."

In fact ... write it down.

And understand this ACTUAL FACT: Successful acting careers CAN be (and ARE) accomplished by mere mortals.

Ask anyone who HAS made it (next time you get the chance). Once they know you are not a 'civilian,' they will give you the straight poop: "Getting here is very hard... but not impossible."

It also helps if you ...

Write it down.