Hey Bonnie!
I’ve been debating for a week or so whether or not to write you. Only because I know you are busy and I don’t have a question for you and I don’t have anything to promote. Yet 😉
I am a completely green actor, not even enrolled in classes yet and without a single Hollywood-worthy credit to my name. But something which happened to me this morning led me to a realization (which will not be news to you) which I’d like to share. 😀
First a tiny bit about me. I grew up in SoCal. Moved to the Seattle area as a teen. While I grew to love certain parts of Seattle and the greater east side, I always knew one day I would return to SoCal for good. In May 2007, I lost my job and have been technically unemployed since. In February, a dear family member (who lives alone) had a moderate stroke and the timing just happened to work out so that I was able to move back and help take care of her.
My childhood dream has always been to act for film and television. Even since high school it seems my passions outside of “work” have been in the arts. Including web design, video production, writing, directing, co-producing a weekly stage show for families at my former church, and even some stage acting. After I lost my job, I started thinking about what I really want to do with my life and it kept coming back to the arts and more specifically my dream to act. So when I moved, I made the decision to jump in and just go for it — all fears, what ifs, and doubts aside.
I started out by drawing up a plan and writing down dreams/goals. Then I hit the net for any and all info I could get my hands on. I was surprised by how much bad info I found at first, but through some digging and reading and endless Internet searches I started to find true, good, common sense resources. Which is what led me to your column. I read on an Internet message board that it would take me two days to catch up with your column and read all the archives. It actually took two months (granted it wasn’t the only thing I was doing in those two months). But I loved it; it was like going through an acting school right in my own home. The info I took away was invaluable as proved to me today.
About a month ago I signed up with Central Casting to do some extra work over the summer. Strictly to gain set experience and see how an “official” set runs and operates (as trying to get vouchers to become SAG would be a Premature Move anyway given my circumstances). 😉 I booked my fave TV show (Heroes) and the sequel to one of my favorite movies (Iron Man 2). I was told more work would open up in July, but unfortunately despite calling several times a day, I wasn’t working.
This morning they had an open call for nonunion workers to meet with the casting directors. It was for them to introduce themselves and us to get to know them a little and ask Qs. I had gone in there with the intent to ask why — despite being told (via other extras, mind you) that more work should be available — I was unable to find much available. I also wanted to know if another rumor I had heard was true about call-in agencies. Instead I decided to feel things out and see how it went. They opened it up for Qs and people (mostly aspiring actors looking to become SAG) started asking Qs about SAG and AFTRA eligibility. I smiled to myself, happy I had been proactive and done my research so that I already knew the answers to those Qs. I watched as the casting directors’ eyes glazed over while they graciously answered the Qs you could tell they had answered at every other single one of these. People asked some Qs about pictures, people asked Qs about calling services, all sorts of Qs. And I watched the CDs closely and I listened to them.
Now don’t get me wrong, they were completely nice and gracious. But, honestly not one person asked a Q that A) related to the group at large really and B) was not something already laid out in the paperwork given when you sign up. Then I asked my Qs in my head and judged them based on how they would be received and realized that they weren’t really Qs that could be answered to my satisfaction because they were Actor Mind Taffy to begin with. I can’t change how many call listings go out on the line and I can’t change the fact that I can’t get through the lines when one does pop up, and neither can they. So asking a “polite” question under the guise of information but really “make me feel better because I had instant success and now can’t get a job and I’m frustrated by it” was not going to be productive for them or me. So I once again smiled to myself (because it was only because of your columns I was able to take this step back and stop) and just sat there quietly, listening to what the CDs had to say and really listening, said thank you, left, and came home to keep calling, trying to get a job for tomorrow.
It may not be for a “real” audition or “real” acting job yet, but the principles you write in your column are invaluable no matter what you pursue and I’m so thankful I found this column early on so that I could avoid some of the frustration and rat-race feeling which negatively affects so many in this business.
So thank you!
Signed, an avid fan and future cast member of one of your awesome indies,
Chandra L. Moore
PS — When I get a home studio set-up I will certainly start sending you my self-produced stuff as that is definitely going to be a big part of my self-marketing plan to show the industry my “type.” 😉
Oh, Chandra, I can’t even begin to tell you how much your email means to me. Whenever I hear that someone starting out is getting to jump ahead leaps and bounds over some of the newbie mistakes that most of us made, when we started out in this biz, I’m elated. The fact that any of that edge has something to do with anything you’ve read in my columns or books? That’s a bonus. A huge one for me. It’s the sort of thing that buoys my spirit on days when things are low. So, thank you for this email. Despite the fact that you have no questions and nothing to promote, thank you. It really does mean a lot.
Since mindset is one of the most important (if not THE most important) factors in success in this industry, I’m sure you’re on the right track and you will — when you’re ready — start moving forward on projects in which you can be cast as a principal actor. You’ll already be smarter than others facing their first opportunity, because you’ve already locked down so many of the mindset issues. You know what’s important and you’re having fun along the way. That’s just awesome!
Can’t wait to see your self-produced work and of course to field any questions that may come up along the way for you. Congrats on a great start and, more than that, on a great mindset. Because, really, that’s what matters most. You’re the best kind of beginner there is: One whose head is on straight about this whole crazy thing! Enjoy the journey.
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!
Originally published by Actors Access at http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/archives/001073.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.