4 Things Actors Should Be Grateful for Despite the Pandemic
Take a brief moment to be grateful for the things you have
(by Tonya Tannenbaum)
(Photo: Simon Maage/Unsplash)
Did you lose out on a few (or more than a few) acting opportunities after the pandemic struck? Did your income come to a screeching halt? Are you feeling a little blue?
You are not alone.
The fact is, actors everywhere have had to “take it on the chin” as the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the entertainment industry. Actors have had lucrative jobs suddenly canceled, they’ve missed out on auditions and many have seen their once hot careers grow icy cold.
Some actors, with nowhere else to turn, have had to seek assistance from the government, charitable organizations or from emergency funds that were set up for actors, like the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s COVID-19 relief fund. And, thanks to lost wages, many actors are in danger of losing their health insurance.
But, in the immortal words of Dick Van Dyke:
Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It’s not your style
You’ll look so good that you’ll be glad
Ya’ decide to smile!
In the mist of all the doom and gloom, there is a silver lining. There is always room for gratitude.
Here are 4 things to be grateful for during this time of crisis:
#1: Life
First, be grateful that you’re still alive! Take a break from all your worries and remember just how lucky you are to be alive. Don’t take it for granted!
As of this writing, there are over 300,000 Americans who were not so lucky. And they would love to trade places with you right now.
Be grateful you still have your life!
#2: Health
Second, be grateful for your health. Not all Coronavirus cases end in death. In fact, 80% of cases are mild or asymptomatic.
But those are the lucky ones. Many of the unlucky are the so-called “long haulers”. For them, symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pains, vomiting, and neurological symptoms can go on for months and months.
Be grateful you still have your health!
#3: Stamina
Be grateful that you’re built for this!
As an actor, you’ve always had to deal with money shortages. You’ve always had to fill in the money gaps that inevitably come when you’re between acting jobs. You’ve always had to find multiple streams of income to survive.
The acting business has always been a feast or famine deal. The pandemic has brought little feast and much, much famine. But, unlike regular people, famine is what we actors are used to.
Be grateful that you’ve got the stamina to survive!
#4: New Opportunities
(Photo: Gabrielle Henderson/Unsplash)
Lastly, if you are creative enough, all of this chaos can be a blessing in disguise. Actors who can’t find opportunities can create new opportunities for themselves.
If you’ve been putting off creating your own content, for example, you may no longer have procrastination as an option.
Without much available employment, you can start your own YouTube channel, film a short or post videos of your work on apps like Tik Tok. With luck, exciting opportunities can arise.
If you don’t believe me, just look at the amazing success of comedienne, Sarah Cooper. This once obscure TikToker, who became famous for posting videos of her Donald Trump impersonations, now has her own variety show on Netflix!
Be grateful for new (potential) opportunities!
One day, things will go back to normal. All the pain and misery will be over. All the theaters will be open. All productions will be in full swing. And opportunities for actors will once again be plentiful.
But until that day comes, take a brief moment to be grateful for the things you do have before you obsess over the things you don’t have.
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