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This edition of the newsletter is all about you. Now, let me say up front that it's a long read - so you might want to save it for when you have a half hour or so to devote to it. I think you'll find it worth your time. THE DREAM Every actor has the dream - but not every actor has either the facts or the personality to achieve that dream. Fortunately human beings are capable of learning, growing and moving. Which is why I've gathered some ideas together in this edition, in the hope that they may help you make some new distinctions, take some new actions, and get a step or two closer to that dream. Let's start with a few object lessons in how we treat people - because, let's face it, the way we treat others is often a telling insight into the way we treat ourselves. These 'tales' mostly relate to that greatest of all life's rules: Always treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. WHO'S THAT LADY? A professor of business economics announced a pop quiz. The students worked on the 10 question quiz conscientiously and quietly ... until they reached the last question: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans this building?" Surely it was a joke. Everyone had seen the woman many times. She was a thin, grey haired lady in her fifties ... but how could they possibly know her first name? Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward the grade. The professor smiled, "It will count as half your score." There was audible groaning in the classroom The professor went on, "In your careers, you will meet many people. I hope to teach you that everyone is significant. Every person deserves your attention and care - even if all you do is smile and offer a cheerful 'good morning.' "In other words, in business (as in life) other people are always going to be half of the deal." THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS One night in the early '60's , an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway in a blinding rainstorm. Her car had broken down and now she desperately needed a ride. She tried flagging down a car. After an hour or so, finally a young white man stopped to help her (something that was pretty much unheard of in those days). The man drove her to town and helped her find a taxi. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but insisted on writing down his address. She thanked him and went on her way. Seven days two delivery men arrived at his front door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was being delivered. "I didn't order this." he insisted. One of the delivery men handed him a note ... "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. "Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me - and unselfishly serving others. "Sincerely, "Mrs. Nat King Cole" THE LITTLEST CUSTOMER A 10-year-old boy went into a coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress came over and put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "A dollar seventy five," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and counted his handful of coins. After a couple of minutes he said, "How much is a plain dish of ice cream?" By now other diners were waiting for service and the waitress was starting to get impatient. "A dollar forty," she said, with some irritation. The boy counted his coins again. "Okay, I'll have the plain ice cream." The waitress brought the ice cream, plopped the bill on the table and hurried away to other customers. The boy finished his ice cream, paid the cashier and left the coffee shop. The waitress came over to wipe down the table ... and suddenly, she began to cry. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were a quarter, a nickel, and six pennies. The boy had decided he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough money left to leave his waitress a tip. * * * * This next article addresses a concern that many actors have - "How do I get work?" The difficult thing for many actors is finding the work they love to do. For many it seems almost a hopeless quest. It's not. You can find that work - just know that it will take massive effort from you. Here's are some things you need to understand about finding the work you love ... * * * * HOW TO GET TO DO THE WORK YOU LOVE 1. It Will Not Find You Doing the same old thing is not the way to find the work you love. You must take action. You've got to get up, get out, get going ... and really try. 2. Don't Stop Looking Never settle. Keep looking. Never give up the search. 3. You May Have To Look In Some Strange Places Talk to new people. Go to new places. Read new books. Watch new shows. Change your routine. Why? Because success often comes from places you've never imagined. 4. Get Good At It You've got to work hard at getting better at it. You've got to work at it all your might. Once you get good at finding the work you love, it'll be something you can't stop doing, because you'll get the constant thrill of doing something that makes you happy. 5. Pour Yourself Into It Once you get the work you love, you've been given a gift. Don't spoil it, by taking it for granted. Of course, you can't ignore the other loves in your life, including family and friends - but when you're working, you should devote yourself completely to that work. 6. Break The Routine - Dare To Ask You've got to stop what you've been doing and be courageous enough to ask yourself if you love what you're doing now. If not, change - remember you are not a tree. 7. Think About It Always make time to really think about what you're doing. Is it worth the time and energy you're investing? Really think about what you love, about your life, about what you want to be doing. 8. Never Ignore Your Dream Do you really know what you want to accomplish? Almost every actor has some form of the 'dream' - but too often they believe that it's unrealistic. Give that dream more attention and thought. Sometimes just thinking about your dream reveals ways that you can make it happen - through your own hard work. 9. Do What You're Really Good At When you think in terms of your strengths, the ways and means of finding the work are often revealed. Pursue your best skills most vigorously. 10. Always Take Action If you don't actually make the effort, the work you love will elude you. Do research. Make calls. Take classes. Go to auditions. Build on your strengths. Never stop learning. Believe success is possible ... and TRY. Take action every day. 11. Don't Be Afraid To Pursue It Unreasonable fear is what stops most people from finding the work they love. 12. Take Action Again One of the biggest secrets to success is that old phrase - "Try, try again." Write to people who are doing it and ask how they got started. Check out books at the library, do research online, do what you can to find out the steps you need to take. Then take them ... again and again and again. Pursuing your dream with unceasing effort is the secret of success - and happiness. * * * * Now you've gotten it from a philosophical point of view - how about some practical pointers? * * * * BASIC (PRACTICAL) ADVICE FOR ACTORS Learn Your Type This is one of the most difficult things any actor has to do. Mainly because it involves a lot of self investigation, introspection, and thinking. It's never enough to simply say that you are a young leading man - you have to know if you're a driven careerist or somewhat laconic - whether people see you as the hero or the bad guy - whether playing a certain kind of character makes you happy or not - whether you love the stage or the set - and knowing what sort of work excites you and stirs your passions. All this (and more) goes into the determination of your 'type.' Study The Business It's never enough to be in love with the idea of becoming a professional actor - you have to know how to do it. This is almost always a matter of understanding how the business actually works - and what opportunities actually exist ... for you. Many actors focus on their thinking on how things SHOULD work - and ignore how things DO work. Work For Money Many actors waste years in their pursuit by doing free work - assuming that they'll be noticed and 'discovered - or that, eventually, they'll get good enough to qualify for paying work. The truth is that there is paying work available all the time - and whether you're just starting or been at it for awhile, there are performing jobs that pay - that you can get. However, it's usually a matter of opening your mind to other possibilities. For instance, here's a short (and incomplete) list of some of the kinds of paying jobs that are available for actors: Spokesperson, extra, voiceover, stand-up comedy, conventions, narration, industrials, digital media, modeling, theme parks, cruises, stock theater, local television, independent film, commercials ... and the list goes on. Open yourself to other possible ways to make a living as a performer - and you'll have actually started the process of becoming a pro. Build Business Skills Advertising, promotion, sales, budget management, networking and a host of other 'business' related skills are important to your acting business. If you expect other people to do these things for you - your business is going to flounder. Learn To Audition Audition skills and acting skills are not the same thing. An audition is simply a job interview with a twist and a cherry on top. If you aren't good at job interviews, it's time to learn that skill. Because, until you are good at the audition process, you won't get to do the acting you love so much. Stay Curious If learning new stuff bores you, this is a business that will hand you a bucketload of disappointment. Remain Humble The moment you think you know it all - you're doomed. Be Nice It's basic behavior. The audience can tell if you're a fake or a meanie. The pros will know immediately if you're a scumbag - and frankly, life's too short. The truth of the matter is that co-workers in our business spend a lot of time together and 'nice' is golden. Work Hard The actor who gives 110% is the actor who is guaranteed to have fans and supporters among the producers and other 'buyers' in the business. Hustle Never believe for a moment that 'making it' is a way of slowing down your efforts. Even stars put in long hours, doing tedious work, under brutal circumstances - and they still have to go out after it's done and promote their projects. It's generally a 60 hour a week job ... and in success, hours will be added. Be Ready To Go About 75% of work in our business requires you to travel. If you hate to travel, you're going to have to 'settle' for something less than the dream. Don't Let Anyone Or Anything Convince You To Give Up Your Dream If you let anything at all stop you from becoming an actor - that simply means that show business is not for you. * * * * THE QUOTES "Without wonder and insight, acting is just a trade. With it, it becomes creation." ~ Bette Davis "If you want to be successful in a particular field of endeavor, I think perseverance is one of the key qualities. It's very important that you find something that you care about, that you have a deep passion for, because you're going to have to devote a lot of your life to it." ~ George Lucas "Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make you a fortune." ~ Jim Rohn "Nothing is worth more than this day." ~ Mary Engelbriet "Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit." ~ Napoleon Hill * * * * THE JOKES Why I love dogs. You can say any crazy thing to a dog - and the dog will give you a look that says, "Holy crap, you're right! I never thought of that." When I die, I want to go like my grandfather, who died peacefully in his sleep -- not screaming and yelling like the passengers on his bus. If at first you don't succeed - then skydiving is not for you. It's a wise person who refuses to play leapfrog with a unicorn. I used to have a handle on life - but it broke. * * * * ON A PERSONAL NOTE I'd like to thank the hundreds of subscribers who sent me well wishes on my recent 'teeth' adventures. If I didn't get back to you, I hope you understand - I got so many emails that catching up became an impossible task. Have a wonderful week and, as always ... Much Success, Bob You Must Act! The #1 Virtual Acting CAREER Course http://www.youmustact.com Nail It! Delivering The Hypnotic Audition Taking Your Audition Skills to The Next Level http://www.hypnoticaudition.com Headshot Secrets Revealed Marketing Your Acting Career In Pictures http://www.headshotsecrets.com Action! The Professional Actor's Workbook & Planner Get your business together and follow through. http://www.actionworkbookandplanner.com The Agent Code - How To Get An Agent And How To Be Your Own Agent In The Meantime http://www.theagentcode.com Bob Fraser Productions 3727 W. Magnolia Blvd. #180 Burbank, CA 91505, USA To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit: http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?TIwc7CzMtMzsrBwMbGzstEa0zOzMzBwcjA== |
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