Why you should create your own opportunities

There are thousands of people out there working harder than me. This simple thought makes me push myself, constantly re-invent myself and stay focused.

The Bigger the Dream...The Better!

This industry is hard, I get it. As in anything I do, acting in particular, I keep in mind and tell myself every day that there are thousands of people out there working harder than me. This simple thought makes me push myself, constantly re-invent myself and stay focused.

Acting, like Producing and Directing, is creating. If you make a short film today, you have created something for the world to see. It may totally suck but what's better? A film that isn't that great or a film that doesn't exist? The thing is that just by making a film and putting it out there (good or not) you are instantly wiping out a huge percentage of your competition, because those who aren't "creating" are probably sitting on their asses saying "I want to be an actor but there is no work".

"If you keep waiting for the doors to open you will be waiting a long time. Open your own doors. Create your own opportunities."

There is no need to WAIT for roles! Instead you should be out there CREATING your own roles. For me I think it is the perfect scenario. You can write your script, or find an un-produced script online, play whatever role you want to play and be whoever you want to be. You have the opportunity to try roles that challenge you, or play roles you know you are brilliant at and perfect them even further to add that piece of gold to your show-reel or upload it to YouTube for everyone to enjoy.

Take Vin Diesel for example. There was a point in his career when he wasn't getting any work, so he decided to make his own short film, ironically about a struggling actor and low and behold Steven Spielberg saw it and the rest is history.

There are so many actors out there looking for work AND waiting on footage from the 10 short films they did last year that were going to be "the next best thing" but never got finished. Band together, grab a camera and make your own film. Don't wait and don't put your career in the hands of anyone else!

I am in a fortunate position (that I have worked very hard to be in). I have literally designed my life, business and career to work in perfect sync. I am an Actress, Presenter and Producer. My Partner Lucas is a Director, Editor and a Director of Photography, so we created a corporate production company which in turn creates paid presenting work for me and a nice income that still allows us to be creative. We have also build a Film Production Company that allows Lucas to pursue his film making career and allows me to Act in and Produce the films that I want.

Whether people think I will make it as an actor or not... it doesn't even hit my radar. I will always act, present and produce for as long as I live because it is my life, until when and if I CHOOSE to follow a different path.

There are heaps of student filmmakers out there that you could connect and collaborate with who would be more than happy to help you shoot and edit. Just make sure they are 100% committed to completing what they start and that you take charge like the producer you are and stay in 100% control. That doesn't mean pretending to know everything. You are making the film as a way of showcasing your talent not to win awards or brag that you are now a Filmmaker.

There is no need to stress if you are not getting roles, or if Directors are ignoring you or saying "I may be casting next month," who cares; a lot of their films will be terrible anyway or as I said before, and will re-iterate as it happens so often "It may never get finished"!

Pick up a camera or your phone; this is the most freedom you'll ever have as an actor. Go create, go and become the very characters you want to play. The ball is in your court.

Have fun xxx

#actingpure #creating #opportunities #goals