| ACTOR'S TOOL KIT #24 MY CAREER RESOLUTIONS by Bob Fraser |
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| It's resolution time again, in the old green room. "Not gonna make those same damn mistakes this year! This is the year I'm going to buckle down and get smewhere in my acting career! "Yup, it's time to think about CHANGING my ways... and changing my results." "I am absolutely resolved to get going this year. I'm tired of the same old working for free and hoping for lightning to strike." I know how you feel. The good news is that making resolutions actually works - if you follow a couple of simple steps. First step: Write them down. Don't argue, just do it. It works. Secondly, here's a list of tested ideas to ponder as you make these - well, let's just call them, 'notes to remind us what we are resolved to DO... THIS YEAR.' RESOLVED: A dream without hard work to realize it - is just a dream. Bottom line? Building a successful acting career is really hard work. Twas ever thus. However, keep in mind that one of the keys to success (in our business) is to NEVER let the hard work SHOW. That means, keep it to yourself. Don't complain, don't explain, don't commiserate. (Co-misery, get it?) If you want to 'make it,' you are going to have to work very hard - and never let it show. Is it worth all the hard work? Only you can answer that one. Are you gonna work hard this year... without complaint? Write it down. RESOLVED: A business without testing and tracking results is not a business - it's a hobby. Sending out your headshots willy nilly, to all corners of the biz, without regard to the results you are getting - is the road to frustration, anger, suspicion, and other sorts of negative states of mind. This is not a good result for you. You must "test." Keep track of your submissions. Keep a count. Check results. If you really want to get the best results, don't do "mass" mailings. Target your mailings, only including 'best chance' opportunities. Someone looking for your type is a better "test" than a name picked from the latest casting directors' listings. In our business it is important to know if your headshot is 'working' for you. It is the only way in the door. If your headshot isn't working, you have to move on... fast. Here's one basic tracking technique. What's your ROII? (Rate of Interest & Interviews.) If you are not getting a decent number of calls from your submissions (unsolicited advertising has as it's average, about 3 out of 100) ... the problem is almost certainly your headshot. It's not selling you. It's not doing it's job. It is not WORKING. (It may be the picture you love, but if it isn't working for you, it's time to fire it.) So, are you gonna keep track of things this year? Write it down. Are you gonna move on if your picture isn't working? Write it down. RESOLVED: A business without capital investment is a business that will almost surely fail. What's it going to be this year? A new iPod or new headshots? That cute leather coat that makes you look 'hot,' or more money in the bank to pay your SAG initiation fee? A full-time JOB to pay off your credit cards or TIME to do projects? If you aren't making a substantial financial (or time) contribution to your business, what makes you think anyone else will? Are you gonna take care of "money issues" this year? Write it down. Are you gonna use your time to actually accomplish things? Write it down. RESOLVED: Those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to keep repeating their mistakes. Again there are so many choices. Is it going to be another re-run of Seinfeld or getting out and auditing an acting class? Weekends relaxing, or weekends working? Audition on Tuesday night or just 'vegging out?' Parties or continuing education? Going to the movies or being in the movie? Maybe we should finally define exactly what it is we ARE doing... is this my hobby or my business? Hey, it's your resolution, put it into your own words... just be sure to - Write it down. RESOLVED: It isn't always about me. Well, it isn't. Be sure to write that one down. I put this one at the top of my list every year. This is a hard one to remember in the 'heat of ambition.' RESOLVED: Happiness is doing what you love ... and getting paid for it. You should always remember that this business was your choice - others may even have urged you to reconsider. Some probably even laughed and pointed (figuratively, of course) and told you, in no uncertain terms, that you were nuts to even consider it. You decided to try anyway. That being said, whether you TRY professionally (or not) is ALSO your choice. No matter what anybody else thinks, says or does - only you can improve your results. If you love doing it. DO IT. Don't look for an invitation or someone else's approbation. Don't expect others to make it happen FOR you. Get real. Work hard. Pay attention to business. Do it yourself. Say these words, "If it is to be, it's up to me." In fact - Write it down. And understand this ACTUAL FACT: Successful acting careers CAN be (and ARE) accomplished by mere mortals. Ask anyone who HAS made it (next time you get the chance). Once they know you are not a 'civilian,' they will give you the straight poop: "Getting here is hard... but not impossible." And it helps if you - Write it down. |
| "Reprinted from ACTOR'S TOOL KIT, the email course just for
subscribers of Show Biz How-To -- The Free Actor's Monthly. Get your own free subscription by going to: showbizhowto.com Copyright © 2006 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved" |