At 41 years of age, I am finally realizing my passion of acting doesn't have to be a dream. All through school I was in theatre productions and student films and often asked if I would major in theater or drama. Much to my dismay, I was put off this area of focus from many family members who were afraid that I would be a "starving actor." I gave up a scholarship to pressue a scholarship of a different kind, to the Kansas City Art Institute for a Design and Illustration double major. Even though I strayed away from my thespian days, those roots followed me everywhere I went, as I became the "go-to-guy" for the photo-video dept. as an actor. 20 years passed as I always thought about my regrets... still that passion burned deep... I had a huge void to fill.
Now in Chicago, I am in only my 4th month of "getting my feet wet" by jumping back into acting and seeing where this could take me. I have already had 4 successful call-backs for certain spoken rolls of which I had all positive feedback from. This only feeds my optimism that my family was wrong... I can indeed do this! I didn't choose this path to gain fame/glory or any of those cliche stereotypes. ...Acting, for me, is an art... the art of bringing a character to life! Like a painting could not be called a masterpiece, unless all the tools, craft and elements come together in harmony... As a paintbrush and the canvas itself have equal importance of a roll for the finished painting, everyone from the Lead actor to the background extras are equally important in their craft... if the passion is not there for even one of those roles, the film would not work... Weather it be commercial, short film, student film or even feature film, I would be honored to play my part. Form getting my feet wet, I am so ready to swim!
Thank you all!
JZ
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The best thing is when one has passion. It may take a while yet it is worth it.
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Way to go Jeff, so glad you're following your passion! And honestly, it is never too late to pursue what you really enjoy. Cheering you on from across the pond!
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congrats. you might like my start up book "Awakening the Actor Within"
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Never too late, my friend. And I agree on Stephen's book! It's terrific! You may also want to check out this blog I posted last week. It's inspiring, no question - https://www.stage32.com/blog/First-Time-Screenwriter-at-41-Oscar-Nominat...
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Richard "RB" Botto and I share a same passion: Just do it. If you do, you can't fail.
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You bet your ass, Stephen!
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Whatever you are doing you have to have a strategy.
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Great news @Jeff you followed your passions. @RB I totally agree with the link you shared. We are all subject to “ISMS”. Ageism, Racism, Fatism, .....Etc etc.....Unfortunately some succumb to the norms forced down their throats since birth, and conform to a moronic vegetative complicity and never give birth to their real selves. Ive been called a number of names myself....Only one .... “Eccentric”......was maybe true...LOL!
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Thanks Debbie Croysdale - If you haven't checked out today's blog, it's on this very subject: https://www.stage32.com/blog/Why-Age-Is-Simply-a-Number
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Hi Richard will check out the blog, thanks. Ive only just seen the above message cos at present been doing long distance hiking Pennine/Dales way and don’t often have wi fi. Looking forward to the read.
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Great passion and desire.
Hi just got the new wi fi connect to read blog. Good one @Mu. Sad you got the ageism shit when only in ur thirties. The only time its late for anyone to follow artistic passion is when “under the ground”. Breathing over ....Game over! I particularly agree with you about Rule 3. Keeping on learning is vital. Ive been getting Indie films together for a couple of years now but still Crave to know more. I regularly fly different places to glean more info from Gurus who excel at their craft. Keeping on learning from other artists is my buzz, better than inane conversation with someone who believes they reached life’s peak.
I think you have the right attitude.