How Veteran Actors Become Successful
Since we are commemorating Veterans Day this week, I thought it would be fitting for us to pay tribute to the industry veterans that come before us, paved a path, and on whom’s shoulders you can stand.
See success leaves clues, and if you want to be successful as an actor and build a long and rewarding acting career, you have to know how to decipher those clues.
That will let you sidestep the mistakes that other actors have made, while you leverage the things they did right.
It’s a perfect recipe for making huge career progress, quickly.
See, when you start to dig into the careers of the most successful actors you will find that they all do a few things similarly.
And, if you truly want to be a professional, full time actor, then you should be paying close attention to what they do, how they do it, and why.
Let’s break this down in the simplest way possible so you can get started on this today...
Veteran actors are skilled at keeping a level head. “Don’t let the rejection get to you, it’s just a part of the industry” is easier said than done.
Nearly every actor I’ve ever spoken to has a big problem with this, but they convince themselves otherwise.
You have to be able to keep a level head at a deep, instinctive level if you truly want to make it as an actor.
Being able to go on 50 auditions without booking a single one is tough. Most actors would take a step back after just a handful, but veteran actors keep going.
They still show up and play full out for the 51st audition, knowing that each no gets them that much closer to a yes.
We all know someone who may not be the most talented person in the room, but that has a lot of heart and a never quit attitude.
They still book from time to time because they never quit. Part of the industry is a numbers game. Go on enough auditions and you will book something, provided you're going on the right types of auditions.
More on that in a sec...
When veteran actors do book a job, they multiply their success. It’s never about just one project. They are masters at stacking wins and turning one acting job into 2, then 3, 4 or more.
It may seem backwards, but one of the ways they are able to do this is by putting the work before the craft.
If you can't get on set, it doesn't matter how talented you are.
Veteran actors know this, so they put in the work to build out a network of contacts with casting directors and industry decision makers, focusing heavily on people involved with their current project.
When they wrap, they don’t simply let those relationships die. They follow up and cultivate lasting relationships.
You don't have to be a superstar to do this. I'll show you how you can get started on that today...
First, I want to go over something that most actors are very much aware of, but without the right knowledge they typically spin their wheels.
Veteran actors build out a platform they can leverage to give themselves an almost unfair advantage.
See, the industry has two main parts, and most actors completely ignore one of them.
There's the artistic side of the industry. That’s what everyone focuses on, because it's where you get to flex your creative muscle, get on set, and share your talent.
However, veteran actors know that you can't get to that part without the other one: that's the business side of the industry.
The business side of the industry is what feeds the creative side. Studios can't put out very many projects that don't turn a profit.
That's why they look to leverage any advantage they can.
That's where you come in. If you can demonstrate to casting that your involvement in a project would be a net positive, then they simply have no choice but to cast you.
That's what veteran actors do. The thing that will have casting directors and industry decision makers practically chasing after you is having the ability to bring attention to a project.
That's why there's been so much emphasis put on the size of your social media following.
CDs and decision makers know that the more followers you have, the more attention you will attract to a project.
That's why you see so many Instagrammers and YouTubers cross over into the mainstream industry.
CDs and decision makers crave the attention they can bring to a project. They know those fans and followers will show up at the box office.
That’s a net positive and it’s why marquee actor’s get to pick and choose the projects they want to work on.
Most actors know this on some level, but they don’t really know how to go about building a platform they can leverage into more opportunities within the industry.
They just kind of post haphazardly to Instagram, without any real concept of what they’re actually doing.
We’ll go over the details of how to build out a social media strategy, in the coming weeks. For now, know that one of the biggest factors that will determine your success is the credibility of your account.
Whether or not Casting Directors and decision makers move you forward in the audition process will largely depend on how your reputation measures up against everyone else going out for the same role.
That’s why veteran actors protect their reputation, and always work to keep it in good standing.
Remember veteran actors are masters at doing the right things in the right sequence, and also knowing when to bring in other people to help them along their journey.
That’s not to say that you need to go out and find a stylist, PR rep, or even an assistant, to be successful.
That may come somewhere down the line. What veteran actors do is find someone to help them with necessary tasks that must be accomplished on a regular basis.
It’s one of those things that has to get done, if you want to build a successful acting career, so put a plan in place that ensures it gets done daily, or let me help with that.
I’m always happy to lend a hand however I can, because I truly want nothing more than to see you become a veteran actor one day. If you do then, I’m sure I will...
See you at the top,
Scott