Sometimes I sit and think to myself: Self, why did you choose one of the hardest industries to try to make a career out of? Why couldn't your dream career be that of A Doctor, Or an Accountant, or an Executive Assistant? Why acting? Why something so competitive, something so unpredictable, something where success is not guaranteed? Why? Why?
Every since I was a little girl this is what I wanted to do but being from the small town that I'm from the opportunity wasn't presented in my school not to mention I was too darn shy to get in front of anyone. My dream of acting was a hidden dream. I would watch movies and imagine seeing my name in the rolling credits.
I tried hard to come up with a career that was less competitive, something that was more ordinary, something that all you had to do was get a college education or go to a trade school and when you finish you had a great job in your career! Well I couldn't think of anything when I was in college, I changed my major 6 times...so Business was the "go to" Major. But I knew for a FACT working in corporate America in an office job WAS NOT... IS NOT... WILL NEVER BE... for me!! I've only worked as Executive/Administrative Assistant and I do not like it.
So I dibbed and dabbed into creative professions such as a makeup artist & an esthetician I realized that I didn't have the passion for those things after taking a few classes and spending a few hundreds of dollars. SO I said: Yogi what's your dream baby girl? And it came back to acting. So how do you get to your dream? My plan was to do the modeling thing and crossover to acting...lol that didn't work!!
So now I'm taking acting head on. I do have to say that I was nervous my very first time acting for that Indie that I did the whole time I'm like, will people think I'm good?
F' dat!! It's about what I think...do I think I'm a good actress....hells yea...but I know I can be a GREAT actress so that's where training and experience comes into play.
I believe in me! (not to mention I have a lot of people that believe in me....thanks to my mom I've already a celebrity in my hometown ha!)
I'm a SUPA STAR!!
Please read this article from Sharon Moist below it inspired this post!
Every since I was a little girl this is what I wanted to do but being from the small town that I'm from the opportunity wasn't presented in my school not to mention I was too darn shy to get in front of anyone. My dream of acting was a hidden dream. I would watch movies and imagine seeing my name in the rolling credits.
I tried hard to come up with a career that was less competitive, something that was more ordinary, something that all you had to do was get a college education or go to a trade school and when you finish you had a great job in your career! Well I couldn't think of anything when I was in college, I changed my major 6 times...so Business was the "go to" Major. But I knew for a FACT working in corporate America in an office job WAS NOT... IS NOT... WILL NEVER BE... for me!! I've only worked as Executive/Administrative Assistant and I do not like it.
So I dibbed and dabbed into creative professions such as a makeup artist & an esthetician I realized that I didn't have the passion for those things after taking a few classes and spending a few hundreds of dollars. SO I said: Yogi what's your dream baby girl? And it came back to acting. So how do you get to your dream? My plan was to do the modeling thing and crossover to acting...lol that didn't work!!
So now I'm taking acting head on. I do have to say that I was nervous my very first time acting for that Indie that I did the whole time I'm like, will people think I'm good?
F' dat!! It's about what I think...do I think I'm a good actress....hells yea...but I know I can be a GREAT actress so that's where training and experience comes into play.
I believe in me! (not to mention I have a lot of people that believe in me....thanks to my mom I've already a celebrity in my hometown ha!)
I'm a SUPA STAR!!
Please read this article from Sharon Moist below it inspired this post!
What Do You Believe?
by Sharon Moist
When I ask my clients this, the most common answers I often hear are: "being talented," "having the right connections or knowing the right people," "studying with the right acting teacher," and "attending the right college or university."
And, while those are all good answers, the most important part of the entire "success equation," if you will, is belief in yourself, and here's why:
1) "Being Talented" Isn't Enough
It doesn't matter how talented you are if you don't believe in yourself.
When I was pursuing my own career, one of my acting teachers once said to me, "Sharon, there are actors out there who are more talented than you are who are not working, and actors who are less talented than you are who work on a regular basis."
Want to know why? Because those actors who work all the time believe in themselves. Period. Yes, being talented helps, but if you don't believe in yourself; if you don't believe in your ability to knock an audition out of the ballpark (even when you don't land the job); and if you don't believe in who you are and what you bring to the table when you've landed the role of your dreams and are sitting on a set across from your favorite actor, then no one else on set is going to believe in you either, and you'll probably find a lot of people wondering how you ever landed the job in the first place.
2) Having the Right Connections Isn't Enough
If you've read my book, 101 Tips For Actors, then you know how important networking is in this business (or any business for that matter).
Having the right connections and/or knowing the right people can certainly "get you in the door." But once you're in, then what do you do? Just because you know someone important doesn't mean they'll automatically give you the job. It just means that you're one step ahead of the guy who doesn't know anyone.
After that, it's all up to YOU. So once again, you're back to your own belief system; what you believe about yourself.
3) Studying With the "Right" Teacher Isn't Enough
Let's be clear about something: there are lots and lots of talented acting teachers out there. In fact, the guy I used to study with, Steve Eastin, has had a phenomenal career, is very well-connected and works all the time. Why? Because he believes in himself.
One of my clients studied at one of the most prestigious acting schools in Beverly Hills, and another at a very prestigious academy in New York, and yet today both of these actors are unemployed.
Did they study with the "right" teachers? Yes, they did. Did they believe that they "belonged in the room" when they got auditions? Unfortunately no, they didn't.
4) Attending the "Right" School Isn't Enough
There are some fabulous colleges and universities that have very good theatre departments and very strong alumni groups.
These schools do showcases for their graduating students and have a lot of great connections within the industry. However, once again, for the actors going through these programs, it's not about the connections. It's about whether or not these young people believe in themselves, and are able to maintain that belief as they pursue a career in this crazy, unstable and intimidating industry.
The result? Those who believe in themselves go out on auditions, land jobs and WORK. Those who don't believe in themselves sit around and criticize everything and everyone around them. Which category do you fall into?
Food for Thought: When it comes to your career, what do you believe? Do you believe in yourself enough to step beyond any fear you may have and go for it? Or, are you waiting for someone to tell you they "believe in you," in order for you to believe in yourself? Just remember: If you don't believe in yourself, who will?
Copyright © 2009 Sharon Moist. All Rights Reserved.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You are welcome to use this article anytime, just be sure to include the following author/copyright information:
Former Hollywood Agent, Sharon Moist, now works with clients to help them develop success strategies to become empowered in their own careers. Also known as The Industry Coach®, Sharon's clients come from all areas of the entertainment industry and represent such projects as: Desperate Housewives, 24, and Las Vegas, among others, as well as studios such as HBO and talent agencies, including The William Morris Agency. For more information or to work with Sharon directly, please visit her website at: www.TheIndustryCoach.com
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