I know you're not well at the moment and that is pulling you down. You've kept in work well this year and it can only be a good thing. Even "names" don't always get what they want. You know from where we both were a year ago that there were members of that respected company who were as anxious as we were about the next job. You must be doing something right to keep getting cast and I'm sure that this will lead to bigger and better things for you. You are building experience and contacts all the time.
hi blake, and 'yes' im sure it will but youll get better paid roles as time goes on so the time gaps wont seem quite so bad, you think the theatre's bad, you should try film, and tv. i trained for film and am still waiting after 10yrs, its not just you chum
Hi Blake, You have built up a great body of body work as previously mentioned in the previous thread. Patience is the key- you just have to keep plugging away. Maybe think of trying to get cast for something that you wouldn't normally go for just to broaden your horizons- just try something. As long as you have the fire in your belly for acting you will be fine just keep plugging away. I would be proud to have a body of work like yours on my cv.
keep up the good work.
I totally understand what you are going through. As has been said - you've got some great credits there,and it's so frustrating not to get to the next level that you want.I am feeling the same. I think - keep your eye on the goal - and diversify in the meantime.I'm hanging in there too.I'm doing stuff I hadn't expected to be doing at this stage, though I enjoy it,and treading water a bit - because doing unpaid work is less of an option at the moment, and the higher paid, more prestigious work is hard to reach.I waited twenty years to go professional and train, and I'm still having to be patient knowing that I'm doing my best.
Keep faith Blake.I know it sounds pat. Don't let the frustration eat you up, and relax into the now, and what you are doing each day to make the contacts and up your game.Someone said once on here that we need to be 'actorpreneurs.'My goodness, they were right!Now, more than ever, we need to be this flexible.
Hate to say it Blake, but I agree with Forbes, yes.
Can I recommend you book a free 15min one-to-one career session at Spotlight - they're called Spotlight Mondays - I went for one this week and the advisor was incredibly useful - you can ask about any aspect of your career you want to. The reason I'm suggesting it is that he mentioned that at a certain point their careers and life, actors feel what you're feeling (generally coming up to 10 years after training and/or early thirties as non-career life starts to become more commitment heavy.) He also stressed how important it is not to become an angry and frustrated actor as no-one wants to work with those. Obviously we all have days/moments where we feel like that, we have just have to maintain the balance. Hope you find it useful if you do choose to go.
I'm feeling exactly the same as you at the moment Blake and you've got a superb CV so you're obviously heading in the right direction. Wish my CV was as good as yours! It's part of the life we lead as performers to feel like this from time to time so store the feeling for future productions!
'Fraid so mate I'm with Claire and Forbes it will never be easy.
But anything worthwhile is NEVER simple - regardless of where you are in your career and how much you've done.
The question is can you exist on monies earnt and do you still enjoy it. If so keep plugging away!
I completely know how you feel Blake. Not sure if it makes you feel better knowing you're not the only one who feels like this but I promise...you're not!!! It's so hard when you know what you want to do and you truly believe you could do it well...but it just happens to be arguably the hardest profession to break into.
I guess you just keep going maybe until it causes you more pain than the feeling of going and not getting anywhere...if that makes sense!!! Chin up. x
Probably repeating the encouraging words already said... But yeah chin up!
"Keep your chin up. Don't take your troubles to bed with you - hang them on a chair with your trousers or drop them in a glass of water with your teeth."
From the Pennsylvania newspaper The Evening Democrat, October 1900.. Apparently that's where the phrase comes from.
It's been just over a year since I completed my acting degree and by heck it's tough!
Take this as a compliment, I wish I had your fabulous credits. Something to work towards I guess!
You've worked for several years already whilst most of my group have fallen by the wayside 1 by 1. If you still have a hunger for it then continue. Focus your energy on improving your skills rather than sitting at a computer typing in a chat room for support.
Thanks for your comments. In response- we all know its gonna be tough . And we all have days that it just wears us out. What we don't realise is its about show business- not just acting, and its a bitch. I've got some good credits and don't mean to compain, but sometimes its just overwhelming.
We all do what we can to improve our skills, but there are days it gets too much. And we all kmow how trying to survive on 40 quid for a week can feel sometimes! Its a killer!
That's when it gets horrendous.
Def of the industry:
When its good, its GREAT
When its bad- its the seventh level of hell in Dantes Inferno!
I agree with almost all of what's been written and will add one more thought.
Make sure you "allow" yourself breaks. That means you MUST find time to switch off at least once a week (that's what the sabbath was originally for). It doesn't have to be formal like prayer or meditation, just let yourself have fun and unwind and forget about work. Adding on to that, try to take a holiday at least once every 12-18 months, a week can suffice to recharge your batteries and change your perspective. Again doesn't matter whether it's a cheap staycation going camping or a cheap package or hostelling in warm, sunny cheap place like Turkey or Morocco just "be". Patience is a big part of our profession, as well as talent, hard work and perseverance.
I don't think that's a particularly helpful comment Woyzeck. We all feel frustrated from time to time, and if you can't turn to your fellow actors for support then who else is there? One of the purposes of these forums is to provide valuable communication between professionals, and that has to include some of the more negative aspects of the industry too. I'm sorry if others' fears and worries are unpalatable to you, but some of us find comfort and useful ideas in the opinions of others.
Blake, I can't fault your passion, and remember that there's nothing wrong with wanting more. Whenever I get rejected for a job I remind myself that it should hurt, I should want it, otherwise what would be the point in continuing? The fact that it matters this much to you is a strength, not a weakness. You just have to keep it in check and not let it consume you. Focus on what you have achieved rather than what you feel is missing, and literally keep your chin up! It tricks your brain into thinking more positively, and that can't be a bad thing!
Best wishes, and don't let the b******s get you down.
Let me just explain that the day will come when you also find the constant struggles wearing- when you are on this site moaning and frustrated- I will respond in a compassionate and supportive manner- unlike the one you responded to me.
You gave me a lift when I was down and despondent and I came through it and now have 3 eps on Corrie to look forward to.
We all go through lean, mean and frustrating times and it's during those moments that as fallible human beings we either take it and move on, or call it a day.
Knowing you as I do from all your posts you fall into the former and it will only be a matter of time before something really good comes your way.
Unfortunately you are in a really competitive market area, there are only so many Enjolras's and Saigon Chris' roles and there will be many other fantastic musical theatre performers who feel exactly the same way. Too many people chasing too few roles.
It WILL come right for you mate - when it's your turn!
Ignore the comments from the few that have no idea about how the business, works, operates and functions. It's comments from those that you can do without when you feel low.
Take strength in your CCP family and feed off their positive thoughts!
The chatroom here enables us to offer support and encouragement to each other - we are VERY unusual indeed if we never feel the way Blake does at the minute. It does come to all of us and it's also our job to help each other along the rough pathways as well as rejoice when we travel the smooth ones. So stay with us in the chatroom, Blake!! :) All the best :)
Sadly, Blake, it always will be this hard... Unless you morph into Martin Clunes or (unfathomably) Danny Dire... They appear to be two actors (and in Dire's instance, I use the word advisedly) in perpetual work... What's the alternative? Domestic bliss and the nine-to-five? I hope that the right answers find you, sport.
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