A couple of weeks ago, the new edition of Self-Management for Actors hit town. Right away, we packaged up copies to mail out to folks who’d pre-purchased through our website. We also sent out promo copies to contributors, proofers, reviewers, and other people in the industry. Very typical new-book-in-town behavior at Cricket Feet Publishing.
Well, just a few days ago, I received two letters from actors who received copies of the book earlier this month. It wasn’t until I spent a little quality time analyzing these letters and the careers of the actors who wrote them that I decided I’d share this with you. I hope you’ll take away from this week’s column one basic “truth” (if not more): there are actors who GET IT and there are actors who DON’T.
First, a little background about Self-Management for Actors, for those of you who have not read it. I wrote the first edition of this book after having written for Back Stage West for over three years. Yes, my beat was “Casting Qs” (which would become my first book), but in addition to interviewing a couple hundred casting directors, I also moderated a forum at the Career Chat area of the Back Stage website. I fielded questions on everything from SAG eligibility to piercings and tattoos as career impediments. I also moderated dozens of panel discussions on the business of showbiz. Eventually, I realized that I was pretty darn smart about this whole business of acting thing and that I had generated enough material to write a book for actors who may have the craft all taken care of, but who really lacked the business savvy necessary to compete in Hollywood.
Self-Management for Actors is not about how to do without a manager, it’s about all of the ways in which actors must manage their own careers before they can ever hope to have meaningful relationships with representatives, casting directors, producers, directors, writers, publicists, etc. At first, I imagined the book would be best for actors starting out or planning their first trip to Los Angeles to pursue acting. When the book became required reading at several colleges and universities across the country, I was very pleased, as one of the things I dislike about academia and its instruction on the pursuit of an acting career is that very little time is spent informing theatre majors of what to expect, as they leave the program. I’ve always thought that even one class on headshots, resumé formatting, avoiding scams, best timing for union membership, networking, and basic marketing would be a huge step in the right direction. Having my book circulate through drama programs is a baby step in that same, right direction.
It wasn’t until I started getting reviews of the first edition of Self-Management for Actors that I realized it was, perhaps, also useful for the more seasoned actor. Maybe it’s not just the newbie who could benefit from a few tips on self-management. Cool! Okay, so as I wrote the second edition, revising many things and adding entire chapters, I hoped that the book would further serve those at all stages of their careers. Sure enough, just two weeks after the book has “landed,” I’ve received confirmation that it works. And that it doesn’t.
The two actors who wrote to me are actually the exact same “type.” Both would go out for the same roles. These men are in their mid-50s and are burly character actors. One of them has a single entry at IMDb.com. The other, well, he’s famous. Really. Here’s what struck me the most about these letters, though. Neither actor wrote what I would expect to read. When I read the first letter, I was so very disappointed. It was clear to me that I’d failed in my goal to make my book both accessible to working actors and essential for beginning actors. Here, let me share a bit of the letter with you.
Really great stuff — for the young, beginning actor. Here’s your next book idea. Write one for me: the mature, world wise, talented latecomer, who is only missing a meaningful agent and meaningful credits. The actor who does not get into the casting directors’ doors because the CDs are not willing to be “discoverers.” The actor who the “meaningful” agents don’t have time for.
And then, later on the same day, I got to the piece of mail from the working actor who surely only skimmed my book as a courtesy. Right? Not so fast.
Your book is so well written. Between the specific items of advice and the anecdotes that prove their effectiveness, it comes across more as a conversation than a mere how-to top-ten list. There’s really something for actors at every level. There are the very practical and extremely helpful tips for those just starting out, through the insights best described as: “I never heard it stated just that way before. Now I understand!” to the countless realizations: “I never thought of that. That’s something I should do immediately.” …you have an indispensable handbook that should be in every actor’s possession.
There’s more, and it all makes me weep with delight. Point is, with one letter, I was sure I had failed. With the other, I was reminded that not everyone will GET IT. There are always going to be actors who are convinced there is some conspiracy against their rise to stardom; that agents, managers, and casting directors aren’t interested in them for some reason they can’t fathom; that they could be as famous as their talent would allow, if only “we” would get out of their way.
Look, we’re all in this together. We all help one another build up to the careers we want to have. Our relationships, our willingness to invest in one another, and our commitment to a process that is not ever going to be linear are the keys to our success in the industry. These things, on top of a foundation of training, commitment, and decent mental health can make all the difference! When we remain focused outside of ourselves, seeing others as obstacles to our success, we miss out on seeing all of those co-conspirators to our success. More people want you to make it than you could ever imagine! And if you could move forward with the confidence that comes from knowing you have so many others on your side, you’d find success in no time.
Often actors are told to get out of their own way. I think this applies far more to mindset than to craft. A great quote that I’ve embraced recently comes from Hugh Prather: “Make your mindset more important than what you are doing.” You can DO thousands of things “right” in this town and if your mindset is negative, none of it will count.
And some of you reading this will GET IT. Others, well, WON’T.
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/000354.html. Please support the many wonderful resources provided by the Breakdown Services family. This posting is the author’s personal archive.