When talking pictures were first introduced, not everyone was convinced that they would be a hit. Many people thought they would be a simple fad that would soon be over. Those that didn’t adapt to the changing landscape where never heard from again.
What we’re talking about today is just as big of an innovation.
This is something that tends to get lost on us actors, and you might be wondering what tech innovations have to do with your acting career.
Stick with me for a moment…
She had the best of times. She had the worst of times. She embodies the age of wisdom. The other sees the age of foolishness. For one it was the epoch of belief, for the other it was the epoch of incredulity.
For one Mindy it is the season of light, for the other it is the winter of despair.
This is A Tale of Two Mindys.
Faceless Hollywood. You may have never heard of it, but you sure do know of it. It’s made up of actors that are quietly living the dream. Only, that dream may not look like what Hollywood dreams are typically made of.
It’s their own version of the dream. No paparazzi. Few red carpets and in many cases, no red carpets. Some of these actors have a statue or a golden globe on the mantle, but it’s definitely the exception.
Faceless Hollywood is more about the craft than the fanfare. It’s a place where actors just get to be actors.
Riddle me this: what do cult leaders, politicians, and star actors have in common? They all know how to build a following and create a cult-ure that bends to their will.
In any great movement whether it’s getting someone elected to public office, convincing a group of followers to drink the Kool Aid, or building a base of raving fans that follow your every move, there are a couple of things that are always present.
First and foremost, there is a charismatic, future pacing leader at the helm of the movement.
I’ll give you an example.
His head was held firmly underwater. His arms were frantically flailing and splashing. As he struggled to breathe, the young guy could feel the life escaping him. Feeling like his face was about to explode, the hand on the back of his neck pulled the young guy out of the water.
He collapsed at the river bank, savoring every breathe he feverishly took. Finally able to catch his breath, the young guy asked of the perpetrator “What was that for? [gasp] You could have killed me! [gasp]”
“Young man, when you crave success the way you craved a breath of fresh air…that is when you will succeed. That is the secret of success.”
It was July of 2003. United States Army General Joe Gordy sat in a taxpayer funded room, staring at a goat that was also raised and kept using tax dollars.
His mission? Stop the goat’s heart...really! A highly decorated, real American Hero was tasked by the US Government to kill a goat using the ultimate weapon: his mind.
Sound crazy? It’s about to get even weirder!
Wondering what this has to do with you as an actor? You will see how the dots connect in just a moment.
If you are tired of living the stereotype of a starving actor...
If you constantly have to shuffle your work schedule to make it to an audition, or worse, if you you sometimes have to choose between auditions or work...
Then this whole “acting” thing probably isn’t turning out the way you hoped for. Did you know that the IRS classifies you and your career as a business?
It’s why you can deduct headshots, mileage to and from auditions, and all the expenses that come with being an actor.*
Here’s a head slapper: If you are a business...isn’t it about time that you started acting like one? I’ll explain. Do you know the number 1 reason that businesses fail?
Lack of revenue. Without adequate cash flow businesses can’t keep up with payroll, rent, inventory costs, etc. Sound familiar?
Stay with me, you will see in just a second exactly how this ties into your career as an actor.