I’ve always wondered why there were so many starving actors out there. The numbers used to keep me from pursuing a career in acting. I used to think it was a whole ‘nother world. Complete with different principles and rules. After some observation and insight, I don’t think that anymore.
Actors are no different from anyone else
They do or they don’t set goals. Their goals may not be clearly stated. There are numerous reasons.
Persistence
In Audition, Michael Shurtleff says actors fail not because lack of talent but because
1. They don’t work hard enough
2. They aren’t disciplined
3. They are literal rather than truly imaginative
4. They are victimized by their limitations and prejudices.
5. They are ruled by their negative side.
6. They are not persistent.
Of course there are numerous other reasons. Nonetheless, they’re some of the same reasons that anyone would fail at anything in life. Why is it that I hear of actors being late to set? In an industry so competitive and jobs seemingly scarce?
My technique teacher told me acting is more hard work than talent. So my aim is to find the hard work and build my capacity to do it.
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