The main concern/worry for actors that crops up more than anything else that I hear is “I’m too old, too young, not pretty enough, too small, too fat, too thin” to “make it”, and the list goes on. I am going to cut straight to the point and say you can’t physically fit every role out there so be content in your own skin AND you’re making excuses for why you won’t make it, but aren’t actually working out HOW to make it. So today I’m going to share with you a success story from one of the actors who trains with me who’s big break is just around the corner.
I am going to share with you who this person is and how he has got to the point at which he is at so you too can do the same. I want you to be successful and live the life you’ve always wanted but it ain’t going to happen with excuses or procrastination.
WHO IS HE?
He is a 23 year old male, from Barnsley and he had NEVER acted before he came to StandBy. Instead he took the sport route. No one in his family is an actor and he wasn’t born into money, he is a regular working class lad. He has made a ton of mistakes along the way (& learnt from them) and now he has made acting his life, he’s also had doubters as many of us will come across. If you take note of these steps you too can make acting your life.
I INTRODUCE TO YOU LUKE GODDARD
NEVER HEARD OF HIM? HERE’S A LITTLE MORE
You know his back story. What I should also share with you is that he no longer does unpaid acting work, only paid. He gained 7 paid roles in 2014 and he’s already onto his third paid acting role in 2015 and is set to beat last years record. The film he is working on today in the LEAD role also gave him the opportunity to discover his worth as an actor, when the producer asked him how much he wanted to be paid.You too could be in a similar position if you put into action the steps Luke has taken.
THE SECRET FORMULA
- HE INVESTED IN HIGH QUALITY TRAINING. If you too want to be recognised as a talented actor you need to be honing your craft. Luke has been training for 4 years and has only ever missed 2 classes in that time, which shows the dedication you need to be in peak condition as an actor. He has also attended numerous casting director workshops to build up relationships with the people who could potentially employ him and also to refine his casting craft.
- HE WORKS A FLEXIBLE JOB. Luke has worked full time most weeks as a “bank” member of staff. He has built up good relationships with his peers who know he is an actor so he can swap shifts last minute when a casting or role crops up, or he can choose not to work his day job when shifts are offered but he knows he has an audition/role and NOT upset anyone. He still earns money (please note he doesn’t hit the 15k mark), runs a car and puts food on the table and is able to invest in his acting training. Bank work/agency work is a good call for actors.
- HE IS PROACTIVE. Before I go into detail, I should let you know that Luke is in one of the most saturated casting categories (18-25), with thousands of young men going up for similar roles to him. Luke has spent a minimum of 20 minutes PER DAY browsing casting websites, Twitter, Facebook, blogs for casting opportunities and has applied for EVERY SINGLE CASTING he has seen that he fits over the last 4 years.
- NOT ENTERTAINED NEGATIVITY OR REJECTION. As soon as you get into the spiral of negativity it is all down hill from there and can take a lot to pick yourself back up. Luke has not once taken any negativity, criticism or rejection personally. He’s had a lot but has used it as ammunition to prove to those people he will make it. I should note that he once contacted an agent who told him to leave her alone and that he wasn’t an actor. How this person will be eating their words as Luke has an audition lined up for a well respected agency in the coming weeks.
- KEPT IN SHAPE . Both physically and mentally. Luke goes to the gym 5 times a week, plays football and goes running. He knows that to be a leading actor he needs to be in good physical shape. Luke also knows that doing exercise keeps the serotonin levels high, which is another way to keep the rejection and negativity mind monkeys at bay.
- CONSISTENCE & PERSISTENCE. One of the biggest reasons actors fail is because they give up too soon. Luke has been chipping away at this for 4 years. When he first started he was a “nobody”, now people are starting to hear his name. In his latest film he played the lead, which has had over 50,000 views for the trailer. If he had been impatient and let life get in the way, he would never have got to where he is. BE CONSISTENT & PERSISTENT.
- HE CAPPED THE FREE JOBS. Of course when you first start out, especially if starting from scratch you may have to do free jobs to build your experience, CV and show reel. However you need to know your worth, doing free job after free job is not going to land you in Hollywood or at the BAFTA’s. Respect yourself and your business as an actor and cap the amount of free work you do, you won’t stop working I promise you.
So what is my advice to you? GET COMMITTED. Luke could have given up at any point but hasn’t. You too can work towards your break if you follow these steps.
Here’s to your success!
If you want some extra tips to build your confidence as an actor you can download my FREE eBook “Respect your craft. Discover my top 45 method acting secrets”, which is crammed full of essential tips to get you back on the straight and narrow with your acting journey bit.ly/45freetipsbook
