Any business person planning to invest time, energy, and his life savings in a new business commits himself to relentless research. He interviews people in the field, checks the library and/or the internet for information, and conducts a market survey to see if there is a need for his product.
In many ways, an actor is no different than any other business person. To enter the marketplace in an effective way, the actor needs to analyze his product by coming up with clear, concise answers to a series of essential questions that you need to ask yourself:
Who am I? : Are you emotionally balanced? Excitable? Passive? Are you a self starter? Do you have a lot of drive? How well do you work in groups? How are you at meeting people?
Although your physical appearance is definitely important to your show-biz persona, its much more important for you to think of your personality traits like: your capacity to change direction, be entrepreneurial, and think quickly and clearly are the kind of qualities that will ultimately determine if you will be able to make a living as an artist.
Why do I want to act?: We insist a lot on actors thinking this one through in Breakalegg. Its important (specially in slow periods) to think of this over and over again. It will keep you motivated. Do you want to play all the great parts? Are you excited by the process of acting or are you motivated by fame and fortune and your idea of an actors lifestyle?
Just a small piece of advice: If you can see yourself being happy and fulfilled doing any other endeavor, do it. There is not enough money in the world to compensate for the actors way of life. The majority never make it. So it has to be done for love or you will drop out along the way, bitter and cranky over the many wasted years.
Where do I want to act?: Do you plan to have a career in your hometown or are you interested in competing in major marketplaces like New York or Los Angeles or Chicago? If you are going to assault the larger marketplaces, do you know what that entails? Are you ready to leave home and start a totally new life or do you want to gain experience locally first?
What do I have that no one else has? : What makes you so special? Why should someone hire you? If you cant find a reason, other than your deep need, then you probably wont work until you find yourself. You have to find a way to separate yourself from the pack. What is it about you that a director should hire you over thousands of others? Are you prettier? Uglier? Fatter? Thinner? Funnier?
Think also that these are questions you will be asked constantly throughout your career, so you need to reevaluate them often. Interviews, directors, agents, managers, casting directors, producers, even fellow actors are always going to ask all or some of these questions. Know you answer, but most of all know yourself.
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