Acting Mentor 24/7

By Bob Fraser

As most actors who read my scribblings know, I'm a big fan of quotes. There is a good reason for this: I think that it really helps to have a mentor, a trusted advisor, an honest critic – as one pursues the goal of professional acting success. And it's always been my experience that wise people are the best mentors.

Many wise people have come before us – that is indisputable. Most have left behind some instructions, cautions, insights and advice. My attitude has always been, why not make use of and benefit from their experience?

Now, one of the wisest people of all time is Anon.

No one knows who this Anon person was or when he or she lived – but Anon had some great things to say.

"Most people miss their opportunity because it shows up looking like work." ~ Anon.

This is a very important piece of advice – because it goes right to the heart of the "I need an agent" (or manager) plaint that we hear (and say) so often.

Deep down we know that getting our faces in front of people who hire actors is very important and yet we all fall prey to the rather silly idea that there is a one-step solution to that problem – a step that skips the hard work part – and that 'brilliant' idea is to get someone else to do it.

Believing that you need an agent to get started is bass-ackward. In the real world of professional show business, you need to get started in order to attract the attention of an agent. Believe me it is pointless to have a top salesman for your product – if your product is still in the planning stages. 99.9% of agents know this and you can't fool them. (If you can fool them, you're a brilliant actor and maybe they are going to be the beneficiaries.)

When I tell actors this, they often respond with another complaint. "I've tried to get started on my own and it just isn't happening."

There's a quote for that:

"Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." ~ James Michener

A successful acting career is mainly the result of skills, attitudes – and, most importantly, the ability to keep showing up (tenacity), despite the rejection – that we all face. No matter what some people say, talent is not a skill. Using your talent to entertain for a living – that's a skill.

In the absence of a good attitude (like, 'I will try, try again') – learning the real skills of a professional entertainer is almost impossible. And without tenacity, even the best set of skills will never see the light of day. If you want to be an actor who makes money at it, have a gracious attitude, a willingness to learn new skills, and never – never – give up your quest.

I am often asked, "When is the best time to start? Pilot season? When I've saved enough money? When I turn 21? After the kids are grown? September?"

I'm no expert, but here's someone with a very clear instruction on this "when should I start" matter:

"Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows." ~ Michael Landon

See why I like quotes? Because someone, somewhere, has already dealt with my problem and found a solution. And many of them have been kind enough to write it down. All I have to do is read it – "get it" – and use it.

I urge all actors to start collecting quotes, find a few favorites and make little signs – and stick them on the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. You will be astonished at the education you will get – and the results you will achieve ...

... when you start to listen to your "mentors."