Messages In This Digest (1 Message)
- 1.
- 5 Big Lies That Struggling Actors Believe From: Bob Fraser
Message
- 1.
-
5 Big Lies That Struggling Actors Believe
Posted by: "Bob Fraser" bobfraser@youmustact.com bob_fraser_2000
Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:58 am (PST)
5 Big Lies That Struggling Actors Believe
by
Bob Fraser
I am constantly amazed at the belief systems that most
struggling actors accept without question.
The greatest Stupid Human Trick is the ability to hold
completely opposing ideas and accept both as being the
truth.
Let me illustrate by pointing out 5 big lies that many
actors accept as truth - when they already know better.
Big Lie #1 - You have to be talented (beautiful, lucky,
young, connected) to have a successful acting career.
This lie is really off-base. And almost everyone points
out the truth in daily conversation. Have you ever made
the observation that some big star seems to lack talent?
Or that some successful performer is not even close to
being a 'hottie?'
See? Both ideas cannot be true.
Talent?
Two words: Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Okay, two more words: Pamela Anderson.
Beauty?
Steve Buscemi.
Roseanne Barr.
Youth?
Ruth Gordon.
Richard Farnsworth.
And if it were all luck then The Biography channel
would go off the air. I mean, how often would you
tune in to see a show that lasted just long enough
to point out, "Her career was all luck?"
The truth is that actors who pay close attention to
their business, work hard, and are tenacious - are
very often successful ... despite looks, talent, age,
luck or who they happen to be related to.
Big Lie #2 - Acting is a very competitive business.
Again, clearly not the truth. Sure, there are a lot
of people who would LIKE to act for a living - but
very few of them are really 'competition.'
That idea assumes that everyone is equally good at
their job. We know that this is just not the case -
in any business.
Sure there are several hundred thousand people who
get their headshots taken, fill up the resumes with
non-paid 'jobs,' and call themselves actors - but,
really, how many of them are pros?
Very few, believe me.
And acting itself is not a competitive endeavor - it
is a collaborative one. Big difference.
Big Lie #3 - "Networking" is the secret to success.
If this were the case then going to party after party
would be all you'd need to do to become a star.
People who love to party desperately WANT to believe
that this is the truth. But it ain't.
Most working pros don't have time to party. They're
busy working a tough schedule. People who have time
to party are usually unemployed.
The bad result of believing this lie, is the tendency
to LISTEN to advice from people at parties - who are
generally no better off than you are.
This is a clearly flawed strategy.
If you listen to actors who are also struggling, what
makes you think you're getting good information?
It's like asking someone in the unemployment line
about how to get a job. If they really knew how -
they wouldn't be in line with you.
Big Lie #4 - Don't do extra work. You can find real
work in the want ads or Craig's List.
If your definition of work includes showing up and
acting for no paycheck, then this might be a good
'tip.'
However, if you'd like to be paid for your time - and
act for a living - then you'll probably have to accept
reality and start somewhere near the bottom.
Extra work is where you start in the movies and TV.
Those people who are telling you to avoid it ... what
line are they standing in?
Agents will tell you to avoid extra work for one very
good reason ... they can't take 10% of THAT paycheck.
But if they're not getting you in for real parts, then
what's going on?
Bottom line: You have to pay rent and buy groceries.
The truth is that people who think there are shortcuts
to achievement - are dumb (sorry, misinformed).
Big Lie #5 - You can buy your way in.
This is the lie that every scammer in the world wants
you to believe.
This is the lie that causes actors to choose teachers
based on their reputation as opposed to their ability
to help the actor in question.
This is what helps "Model and Actor Search" companies
go from mall to mall taking money from amateurs in the
sticks, who don't know any better - by selling them
headshots, resume 'services' and a chance to meet with
someone who claims to be an important agent from New
York or Hollywood.
Come on people! If someone is really an important agent,
why would they be at the mall in Poughkeepsie or Peoria -
chatting up teen-agers and clueless parents with cute 5
year-olds?
And let's not even mention the "managers" and "agents"
in NYC or LA (and other productions centers) who are
running 'new headshots' scams, taking kick-backs from
photographers.
Or the acting 'academies' who are more interested in
your credit card information than your reasons for
pursuing an acting career.
Or the filmmakers who are willing to help you by making
a movie with you in the lead role - as soon as you help
them raise the money for the production.
If you think that your money can get you 'in the door,'
I can almost guarantee that you will be hornswoggled
out of your money - and end up no closer to 'making it'
than you are now.
By the way, these are just five of the big lies.
In reality, there are literally dozens.
Do yourself a huge favor - question everything you are
told is the truth.
Also do your due diligence on everyone who is offering
to help you.
Those who can give you good information won't mind that
you question them - and those who lie to you can never
stand up under questioning.
And that's the truth.
Now, question it.
* * * * *
Bob Fraser is a retired actor, writer, director and
executive producer (show runner) on such series as
Full House, Benson, The Love Boat, Columbo, Condo,
Wipeout, Midnight Caller ... and more.
He's been a lecturer at AFI, UCLA, USC, Denver U, SAG
Conservatory, Equity Library, Film Industry Network,
Women In Film, Actors Creative Network, Actors Site,
Universal, Disney, Paramount, and other venues
It's easy to subscribe to Bob's FREE e-zine for actors,
Show Biz How-To, by going here:
http://www.showbizhowto.com
By the way, when you subscribe, which takes about 20
seconds, you'll also start getting a 26 part email
acting career course called The Actor's Tool-Kit
(also FREE).
Bob's other computer-based acting career courses are
being used by 1000's of actors, all over the world.
If you want to take some critical steps to improve your
acting career in the comfort of your own home, take the
time to check them out. (And do your due diligence.)
You Must Act - The Acting Career Course
http://www.youmustact.com
Nail It! Delivering The Hypnotic Audition
http://www.hypnoticaudition. com
Headshot Secrets Revealed - Marketing Your Career in Pictures
http://www.headshotsecrets.com
Action! The Professional Actor's Workbook & Planner - Get Your
Career On Track in 2008
http://www.showbizhowto.com/ action.html
* * * *
Need to Reply?
Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest.
We have a NEW HOMEPAGE FOR ACTORS AND CASTING DIRECTORS at: www.newyorkcasting.org
Send in your Headshot, email and website and we'll post it for ya
Web design in NYC http://www.chelseawebworks.com
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/00-NEW-YORK-CASTING/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
00-NEW-YORK-CASTING-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Send in your Headshot, email and website and we'll post it for ya
Web design in NYC http://www.chelseawebworks.com
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/00-NEW-YORK-CASTING/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
00-NEW-YORK-CASTING-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
