You gotta keep it moving. You gotta keep on meeting.
Ok, so, you're an actor/actress. Me too.
Are you an actor that attends acting class regularly, auditions sporadically, and not enough "ACTING" in life? Me too.
Do you feel more frustration than excitement? Me too...well, not anymore. Woo hoo!
Here's my theory. Actually, I'm taking it from Dallas Travers (Creative Coach) and Katt Williams (Comic). Surround yourself with professionals, experts, and people that are doing better than you. You are who you associate with.
I believe this 100%.
I've been out here in Los Angeles for 6 years but, it is only within the last 2 that I've been really proactive about this. How have I been proactive? I stopped complaining about not having enough money and signed up for a 6-week creative workshop with Dallas Travers. Boy, was that worth every penny. Dallas taught me the "business" of this business. To make it in Hollywood, it's actually 25% acting and 75% marketing. Absolutely. I didn't believe this when I first moved out here...I thought, "Oh, they're going to hire me for my talent". Ummmmm yeah.......how would they see your talent if they don't even know you exist.
So, here I am. I recently joined ACT NOW, a networking studio for actors where they have awesome casting director workshops. I started yesterday...Chris Game's Commercial workshop....sooooooo good. He's also an amazing human being. I've been on countless commercial auditions, haven't booked....yet. But, with Chris's 4 week workshop under my belt, I'm ready for this beast! AND, the best part of this story is that Chris actually remembered me from an audition! That's it! I don't want to get "discovered"...I want to bust my ass, work hard and be "recognized", "remembered", and "respected". He said the longer you stay in the game, Hollywood gets smaller and smaller. This is so true because within the last 2 years I've been saying "OMG, what a small world!" And especially with Facebook....and mutual friends...this is the best time to be an actress!
Get uncomfortable! Do things that scare you! Try new things! Meet new people! Stay on top of things....do your research. Talk to people that are booking things...what are they doing, how are they doing it? If you don't have a manager or agent(s)...get on it. I have a manager and Commercial agent now and when my reel is ready, my plan is to "shop" around for a Theatrical agent...no more begging here! Trust me, with professionals on your side, YOU will feel more professional.
I've been very blessed so far to have studied, coached, trained, with the best of the best.
You need your chops first and foremost. I owe my creative life to Cameron Thor and Alice Carter...CarterThor Studios. This is where it all started for me. Not only did I learn how to act but, how to live. Love them. Now with their training, I feel very ready to get out there and work work WORK!!!
Then, there's Dallas Travers. She takes away all the scary stuff. She helps you find YOUR own way.....with such positivity and excitement. Sooner or later, you find yourself taking charge of your own career and that's a pretty good feeling.
This month is the Commercial workshop, next month, workshops with television and feature film casting directors. My goal is to book a t.v. show by the end of this year. Hell yeah!!!!!
Oh yeah! I started writing too! Figuring out ways with friends to Taft-Hartley ourselves...for the non-union peeps....you know this is a BIG deal! Cameron Thor always said to throw out there as many things and see what sticks. That's what I'm doing...
Thank you to all my teachers. Thank you to the professionals who believe in me.
Here are some links. Seriously the best. Word of mouth only. By referral only. If you're serious about your career, check them out.
Carter Thor Studios - Acting Studio
http://www.carterthorstudio.com/
Dallas Travers - Creative Coach
http://www.dallastravers.com/
Act Now - Networking and Workshops
http://www.actnownetwork.com/
