Running a taping service, I encounter dozens of actors every week. And I can say with confidence that only one of the hundreds of actors we see in a year - his name is Tom - is able to walk through the experience of self-taping with joy and fulfillment. He turned to me this past week after taping and said "Isn't acting fun?"
It dawned on me how sad it was that even I can't claim to have the same level of contentment with the process as Tom. But I do find it inspiring to think of what it would be like to approach each audition with an attitude like that. So I endeavor to be more like Tom.
Because if you can't enjoy the process, how will you ever really enjoy this career at all? There are enough disappointments with the product (not feeling good about your performance, getting less coverage than you hoped, getting cut out, getting recast AFTER you shot your scene(s), the movie never comes out, etc), so it's a dangerous proposition to focus on the product as your source of fulfillment.
Find joy in the PROCESS. Like Tom.
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Good points, good post. Thanks man.
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You really have to!
Fantastic reflection. I do find it fun, but I haven't had to audition in person or on camera in some time, so I imagine that would change my "fun" level LOL
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Karen "Kay" Ross yeah it's definitely affected by the volume and frequency. My struggle is that I'm taping actors' auditions sometimes 40 hours a week, and then I'm left to try to cram in my own audition somewhere in that mix. That ups the stress level, and can cause frustration instead of joy, apathy instead of contentment. AND, I don't treat myself well in terms of mindset. In a perfect world, I'd have ample time to prep the script with no distractions, tape when I'm ready, and then have time to treat myself afterward as a way of resetting my body and mind. The reality is that I'm cramming lines in my head so I can tape on my lunch break, and then upload real fast, throw some food in my mouth and go right back to taping actors. Finding balance is tough...
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So true, we gotta find joy in the process.
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I'm not sure if this helps, but I've started putting my own creative endeavors first. I write and do VO in the AM and S32 in the PM. If your hours are flexible at all, maybe try it so your day job doesn't distract from your process.
Karen "Kay" Ross , yeah I'm in total control of my schedule, since I own the taping business. But I'm an Ennegram 9, and have trouble saying no to our clients, so I end up sacrificing my auditions and my sanity (sometimes). But I like your solution
Waiting three hours at 3 am on a set up to do a scene of 15 mins, or on your colleague who requires 24 re-takes as he keeps forgetting his goddamned line is never fun...even with free coffee and munches...
You're not being selfish, Matthew, if you carve out time for yourself, to pursue your passion, and achieve your dreams. Being at our best for what we truly want in our careers will always require sacrifice, and others thinking we're selfish. If you want to be on set working, then each audition is a huge opportunity, and should never be taken lightly. We only have one life! :)
@Matthew I’m completely in tune with your thread heading albeit I’ve not been on stage for 25 years. Even before social media I walked on stage because it was fun and more so. Acting is an art and craft, even in todays “click bait” digital age where anything is up for grabs on a gadget push button, acting still requires considerable commitment.