In task 2d I stated the following: “In order to develop as an actress I need to keep up to date with the ever changing trends of the industry and it makes me angry that this is not always an option due to insufficient funds. I think that more support should be given to young people going into the performing arts industry by the government but instead they are taking it away. I think every young person trying to get a break in this industry will feel the financial strain, it is hard to hold down a job whilst auditioning as things come up to quickly and time off cant always be planned.”
Looking back on that comment has bought all kinds of questions to mind and has given me a great starting point for my inquiry. Below are just a few of the questions I have started to think about:
- Do you have to train in order to make it as a performer?
- Does it matter where you train if you have talent?
- What is the key to staying motivated?
- How should you go about preparing for an audition?
- What benefits come from being well networked?
- How do you stay motivated after rejection?
- How do you fund training whilst unemployed?
- Why is it important to look good as well as perform well?
- Why are time management skills so important?
- Should you give yourself a deadline in which to succeed?
Here are my views on the above questions posed; I would love to here your views too…
- I personally don’t think you need to train, in fact some of the best performers didn’t. Although it helps to go through a performing arts school I still believe that if you are talented and determined you can make it on your own. Will Ferrell for example graduated with a degree in sports information he never trained formally and look where he is today.
- This question although similar to the previous one has sparked a completely new chain of thought for me. Once you have decided whether or not to train you then have the mammoth task of deciding where to train! Some schools have a better reputation than others and this is what people pay attention but again I believe that talent can shine through. If you cant afford to go to one of the ‘top’ schools I don’t think it matters. I’m not denying that it would probably be easier should you attend such a school but that is not to say it isn’t possible without their support.
- Self-motivation is so hard for me and I believe for a lot of others in this industry. It is so full of uncertainty and is a constant emotional roller coaster. The best way I’ve found to stay motivated is to surround yourself with positive people and always take a moment to think about why you love the industry so much. Everybody gets down every now and then but its whether or not you have the strength to pick yourself back up that separates you from the rest.
- Audition preparation is paramount, it is the difference between getting considered for the job and not. I find the best audition preparation is a early night. Make sure you are well prepared both physically and mentally, if the audition is somewhere new to you make sure you have planned your route and booked tickets in advance. Don’t count on others to help you, at the end of the day in an audition situation everyone is out for themselves so the more preparation you can do before the day the better.
- Networking is a massive part of this profession, I am a huge believer in the saying “its not what you know but who you know”. Take Jonny Depp for example, he had no ambition to be an actor but when his wife introduced him to Nicholas cage the rest was history. Or Dione Bromfield, if she wasn’t Amy Winehouses goddaughter would she be this successful at the age of 15? Another example is Kate Hudson, would she have been as successful if her mother wasn’t Goldie Horn? Everybody you know can help you in some way you just have to be around to discover how. Communication is massive and with technology as advanced as it is now there is no excuse not to keep in touch.
- Rejection is never easy in any aspect of life, but in order to handle it in my career I always think ‘when one door closes another one opens’. Obviously continuous rejection is tough but it’s not a reason to quit!
- Whilst not working in the industry I work in a restaurant, although the money isn’t very good it is flexible and doesn’t require much thought so I can focus on my career and auditioning whilst still earning a living.
- Performance means nothing if you don’t look right for a part. There is nothing you can do but try and look the best you can every time a casting director sees you. At least then you’ll know that they are rejecting you because you aren’t right for the part not because you looked scruffy.
- Good time management is imperative in order to succeed in any business. Time is money and if you are lazy and unmotivated other people will simply sail past you no matter how talented you are.
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