The Misinformation and Myths that stand in the way...
I was talking to a new Priority client the other day and she was in tears...
"I'm exhausted, I have no more time or energy.
I am submitting myself for acting roles every day! I have my MFA in theater and student loans to pay.
I'm taking an acting technique class and I pay to meet 3 casting directors a week, I'm in an audition class and an improv class two nights a week and I have a 9-5 job and my boyfriend wonders why I can only see him one night a week -by the time the weekend rolls around I just sleep or cry.
My career is going nowhere! I can't afford any more classes.
If I just had an AGENT that would send me out I would be on a major Prime Time TV Series or Broadway.
Why is it so hard to get "there"? "There" to many actors is just booking the next job on prime time TV, a network commercial or a role in a Broadway musical.
That's fine but it's NOT a career.
You need to think beyond just the next job.
You need an Action PLAN for your entire career.
And struggling on your own without a Coach, a Mentor and a Plan is like climbing Mount Everest...
alone.
HOW DO YOU GET TO THE TOP? The Mount Everest of Films -Hollywood? New York Theater? Prime Time TV on either coast? You need a Guide, the right "Tools", the correct Information at the RIGHT TIME and to follow a "tried and true successful path" up the mountain.
Otherwise, certain death.
In acting terms, that means you never get "there" -Being a successful, working actor and having a fantastic career! It means you might waste too many years of your life NOT making a living or ever achieving a major role - just "playing" at your career.
That's losing- your life.
You CAN change that scenario.
The answer to the question, "Why is it so hard?" is easy.
Things are hard when you don't know how they work and what to do.
Is it hard to tie your shoe or read and write? Not any more.
Someone showed you how when you were a child.
Learning how to Market yourself and succeed as an actor in TV, Film and Theater is no different.
A Marketing Coach shows you how to get your career off the ground and connects you to the professionals who will help you get "there".
Nothing is really hard when you understand how it works.
Then, you implement the steps to get there! Did you know that every single Movie Star- those actors who get a breakout role and go on to make 10-20 $million per movie had a Mentor/Coach, a Team and a Marketing Plan? They all had that besides an agent...
who by the way is only responsible for "upping the ante" when you're offered a role.
That means increasing your salary for roles when you get booked! THEN they can submit you for major starring/co-starring roles.
An agent does not plot and scheme to create your career.
And they don't make any commission on "scale jobs"- those paying the union minimum - ( small under five's, day players, 2 scenes, featured bits) so they don't send you out for those.
You have to get to "Base camp" on your own and prove that you can book substantial roles and make money$$$! So, if you are at the beginning of your career-the first 3-5 years - Agents rarely offer representation because you have NO substantial credits.
You have to prove that you can BOOK JOBS and MAKE MONEY! That's why you need an experienced Coach to help you get to that 1st LEVEL of SUCCESS- booking jobs and getting an agent interested in you! Why do so many actors think they can go it alone? Arrogance? Ignorance? Or just innocently buying into the Actor "MYTHS" and "MISINFORMATION" floating around out there? I think it's the latter- TIME TO BUST THOSE MYTHS!!! Check the list of MYTHS below...
are you believing even ONE of the 50? You need the RIGHT INFORMATION at the RIGHT TIME.
And the RIGHT support group= a COACH and a TEAM.
The RIGHT Marketing Coach will help you FIND your TEAM- An agent and a personal manager.
One leads to the next.
Then you can create a PLAN together.
MYTHS and MISINFORMATION: I need an agent to get work I'm too old, too young, too tall, too short...
My acting teacher says I just need to keep "developing" before I audition I'm not blonde, brunette, Asian, Latino, Afro-American, S.
Asian-Indian so they won't think of me for the job I need to be beautiful /thin to get work on TV I need a master's degree from Yale If I could just "get in the room" I'd book that starring role! I need to live in NY (LA) only I need more training before I can audition I need to be available from 9-5 PM I don't need to pay for good marketing tools- I can get a head shot and demo from friends- they have cameras- it'll be OK! I can't move to LA-my friends are in NY- besides I don't drive a car! If I just had an agent, I'd get those major roles! I can't be bi-coastal (if I'm NOT a star) I only need a "boutique" Agent who "believes" in me I can't leave my bread and butter job I don't want to "promote" myself- it's cheesy to "sell" yourself- I'm an artist I can't turn down that showcase- it's a role! I just don't have the time to do the "business" part- besides it's boring I just don't have the money to get new head shot, a demo reel, a website I can't leave my acting teacher Just one more class to fix my acting problems I've done a dozen "indie" film roles.
I'm already a star! I don't need to change anything.
Really! My work is good- the films are good! Really! I'm not good at interviews I submit myself on Actor's Access- I get major auditions and jobs all the time! I need more time before I show my work It's not my fault I didn't book the job- my scene partner was bad! I'm not skinny or 22- they won't hire me! I can do this on my own- Why pay a coach? I don't have the RIGHT connections- I don't know WHO to contact When my acting technique is good enough, the jobs will come I'm not in the unions-SAG in particular I'm not a soap (prime time, commercial) type I'm more comfortable on stage- I don't care about my income! The camera doesn't like me-I don't photograph well I've got too many student loans to invest in my acting career-I need to pay them off first I can't lose the weight-they won't hire me if I'm fat/overweight My resume doesn't have enough credits or training to get an agent I don't need to "market" myself.
If I keep auditioning I'll "break through"! I can't afford a Career Coach- it must be expensive! I don't want to sign with a top agency like William Morris-I'll get lost in the shuffle I don't want to work with a small agency-they don't have the clout to get me in for the "big" roles I should never do extra work if I want a major role on a series-they'll only think of me as an extra I didn't go to a "league" school so I don't have a chance at a major career I don't mind struggling-it's a part of being an actor I need to be taken "seriously" as an actor - I can't work in TV or do commercials! I don't need to work on the "business"part- I just need to develop my "craft"! Casting Directors never see me for parts I am right for! They have no imagination! Agents are all nasty- I don't need one! Only "lucky" people have a successful career! How did you do? Are you buying into any of the above MYTHS??? Know that they are myths and that you can move on.
There is HOPE! Now, take ACTION! First, acknowledge that they're myths.
Second, Believe that you can be successful! You CAN manifest your dream career- doing what you love.
Third, understand what you need to do.
Get the right information and build a TEAM who will support you.
Once you do that and find a coach to work with you personally, your career will go forward!