Never, Never, Never Do This!
5 Things Actors Should Never Do
(By Jim Webb)
(Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels)
This is a debatable topic. But from my perspective, there are 5 things every actor must avoid doing, like their life depends on it. Because doing any of these 5 things can kill an actor’s dream faster than anything!
#1: Never give up
(Photo: Samer Daboul | Pexels)
You have chosen a profession where only a tiny handful of people will make millions, while the rest will be (figuratively) near starvation. It’s feast or famine out there. It really is a tough, tough business.
Therefore, the most important thing an actor should never, ever do is to quit when things get tough. You have to stay strong!
Also, there’s no need to quit. Just take a break for a while. Go get a job. Get married. Have a baby. Live your life. But stay in the game and keep acting; some way, somehow.
#2: Never stop having fun!
(Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash)
You started acting because you enjoyed it and had a good time doing it. It was fun to you. You have to fight to keep it fun.
Of course, it’s difficult to have fun when you’re not working or when your auditions are not bearing fruit. But the longer you can keep having fun, the longer you’ll keep doing it.
#3: Never stop learning
(Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels)
You will never know everything there is to know about the craft of acting. There is always more to know; more techniques, more methods, more tricks.
And even if you did know it all, you still must practice. You still must keep your acting skills sharp.
Never stop learning. Never stop developing your craft.
#4: Never stop having a positive attitude
(Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels)
You will have good days and bad days. The acting game is fraught with challenges, both big and small, both real and imagined. That’s why, you must always keep a positive attitude.
If you’re broke. Keep smiling. If you lose out on a role, keep smiling. If you haven’t worked in months, keep smiling.
Why keep smiling? Because that’s just part of the game. You have to love it for what it is.
#5: Never compare yourself to another actor
(Photo: Budgeron Bach | Pexels)
Don’t get discouraged when your friend posts pics from their new acting gig on social media. Don’t look at your own career and wonder why you’re not where he or she is.
Each actor is on his or her own journey. Each actor will find opportunities. Each actor will get lucky and unlucky.
It is detrimental to compare your career to that of another actor. Focus on your own journey and enjoy the ride!
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