Have you ever heard someone say that you have to “pay your dues” before you can succeed in the industry?
Did something about that just not sit right with you?
Because you are a part of the Boost My Star tribe, I feel it is my obligation to be completely honest with you, even when the truth is somewhat inconvenient.
The truth is that “paying your dues” is a concept made up by actors that cannot push their careers forward. It’s a way of justifying a lack of progress.
You can either have excuses or you can experience success.
I’m guessing that, because you are here reading this report, you are choosing to forego excuses and looking for the opportunities that will lead to success in your acting career.
See, the whole “paying your dues” concept is one of the industry’s dirty little secrets and the truth is that having a career that exceeds even your wildest dreams isn’t just within reach. You can have it in an instant.
A few days ago, I heard from an actor that did exactly that.
Her story is great, but the best part is that you can do the exact same, right now and sky rocket your career almost instantly too. Here’s how...
Success as an actor is less about talent or having a certain look. It’s more about what you are willing to do to build your career.
For most actors, what they are willing to do doesn’t extend far beyond acting classes, headshot sessions, auditions, and shopping for a new agent every now and then.
This doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what it takes to build your career.
After all, if you what you are after is becoming a professional actor, you have to treat it as a profession.
I have a good friend who is a lawyer. He always told me that “a good lawyer knows the opposing lawyer. A great lawyer knows the judge.”
This is the way actors should approach the industry too.
How many times have you been to a networking-type of meetup or happy hour only to be surrounded by fellow actors?
That’s where we come back to the notion of doing what you are willing to do to build an acting career.
Networking with other actors is probably well within your comfort zone. Calling the head of a major studio and pitching yourself for a production is probably way out of your comfort zone.
Yet, that’s what our fellow BMS tribe member did (on Labor Day nonetheless).
She was at a barbecue with her industry friends, like many of us were. About an hour in, she grew tired of hearing everyone either exaggerate what they had going on, or lament about what they didn’t have going on.
She has been in the industry for some time now and she said “the barbecue is kind of an annual thing and I didn’t want to be in the same circle this time next year doing it all over again.”
When you feel inspired to do something differently. Do it. Don’t question things and don’t overthink it.
As humans we are equipped with intuition for a reason (the nature of which is a topic for another time) so whenever you feel that intuitive nudge, yield to it.
That’s exactly what she did. She told me that, for days she had been thinking about why actors wait.
“Why can’t we just go straight to the real decision makers” she thought. So on Labor Day, she picked up the phone and that’s exactly what she did.
While her fellow actor friends were working on their tans, she managed to get on the phone with a showrunner for one of the hottest shows on primetime!
Because there is no such thing as “down time” for a showrunner, he was in the office laboring away on Labor Day.
So, instead of the phone ringing to the receptionist, the call simply went to the next available phone that was not on “do not disturb” mode.
It happened to be exactly who she needed to get in touch with. A showrunner isn’t typically involved in small casting decisions, and that’s why she wanted to speak with him.
However, when a showrunner calls the casting office and says they “have someone in mind” you can bet that casting will move mountains to make something happen.
So, our fellow tribe member was reading for the CD less than 48 hours later.
Not only that, she walked out of the casting office with an offer for to be a series regular.
Her agent had submitted her for a much smaller role, reluctantly and after much coaxing, but she wasn’t called in to read.
However, the initiative that she displayed by calling the production office was exactly what that character needed, so it was a complete no brainer and everyone immediately knew it would be a great fit.
I’m not saying that you need to drop everything and call a studio or a production office right now. You should however think of what you can do to differentiate yourself from the sea of actors and communicate to decision makers that you are the obvious choice.
Here’s how I can help with that.
Think about who you could be the difference maker for your career. Don’t think small. Think about who could skyrocket your career.
You would think that they would be flooded with people who want something from them, but it’s actually the opposite.
The intimidation factor is so great, that hardly anyone ever bothers to approach them, even though a 15 second phone from one of them could change the trajectory of anyone’s career almost instantly.
Remember, being successful as an actor is less about talent and more about what you are willing to do build your acting career.
Are you willing to intern at a production office for the chance to get some facetime with decision makers? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and be part of a holiday caroling quartet (story for another time), or are you willing to change your career plans completely and work in a casting office for a few years so you can get to know everyone?
The number of ways you can a decision makers attention are endless.
This is what “paying your dues” really is. It’s not about waiting your turn in line. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, going against conventional wisdom and the advice of your industry friends, and ultimately making things happen for yourself.
Don’t risk having your efforts fall flat.
It’s easy to be passionate about an acting job, once you have one. It is much harder to be passionate about everything that leads up to that.
Time and time again, I’ve heard directly from casting directors about casting decisions being made because someone was more passionate than someone who would have been the conventional choice.
It’s important that you make yourself highly visible to the industry as a complete professional rather than as someone who is acting as a hobby.
Most actors remain stuck in their careers because they are afraid to ruffle feathers. However, remember that Steven Spielberg got his start by sneaking onto the studio lot.
Mila Kunis lied about her age to be eligible for a production. So, don’t be afraid to boldly break out of the mold and do things differently.
If you are ever in doubt about something or if you just need someone to bounce ideas with, I’m always just an email or a comment away because my goal is to...
See you at the top,
Scott