Bonnie,
Two parts to this email… about me and the feedback. I figured you’re pretty busy so I’d make it easy to find what’s most important.
Me:
I am a brand new actor out here in LA. I just finished my masters degree in acting in Houston and decided after years of getting educated it was time to put up or shut up as it were and came out here. I stumbled on your writings as I was looking through actor websites getting design ideas for my own.
I must say I think it was a curse for my psyche, but oh so necessary for my growth as a career professional. Being a new, nonunion, unsatisfied with my reel, and on the low end of camera experience actor, and having now read your article about moving too early… I have to say, looking ahead, I’m a little unnerved.
BUT, I’m in it for the long haul and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in working all over this country in theatre, on ambulances, and in police departments… it’s that determination, diligence, and perseverance can overcome even the staunchest of obstacles. So off I go.
Feedback:
I am overwhelmed and inspired. Your articles are a wealth of information that both encourage and discourage. I am terrified to look on this daunting task before me. I qualify as one of your “starting out” actors, and stumbled on your articles blissfully ignorant of most of what it would take.
But, after reading through some, to augment my fear, I feel galvanized in that you’ve given me so much to do. Even the knowledge of my ignorance is a blessing. Now I know the steps to start building a career out here, even if they do seem to stretch to the top of Everest.
I look forward to every bit you have to share in the months and years to come. People are eternally searching for endeavors to carry them through life; I guess I’m pretty grateful I’ve found one that looks to keep me busy throughout.
Thanks for all the knowledge!
Matt
Matt, you’re welcome. And WELCOME to LA. I remember receiving an email very early on in the life of “The Actors Voice” in which the person who emailed me let me know that my column was probably not good for actors.
Back then, and now today, I said and I’ll say again, it’s like learning the safety routine on a jumbo jet. Sure, for the most part, you’re hoping to never need to know how to safely disembark in an emergency, but you’d better pay attention to those instructions the first few times you fly, right? And if you obsess about those details EVERY time you fly, you’re miserable, because you’re so sure the plane is going down at any second.
It’s about balance.
Know that the odds are against you (and hey, it doesn’t take my saying it to make that true. It’s just TRUE, and every actor knows that, or at least feels that) and know that there’s a lot that’s not in your control. BUT!!! Learn that there are things that *are* within your control and get those details on LOCK.
In my experience, what gives artists ultimate freedom is the awareness that they are FREE to enjoy the limitlessness of their creative expression, and many find that freedom is greater when they understand how to handle the business side of it all. Check off what’s check-off-able. And then get to the storytelling.
Welcome to LA and thank you for diving in on my columns. Any requests for future topics, just lemmeknow. 🙂 I look forward to learning more about your 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/001716.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.