The Serious Actor

It takes the TB’s

• Time
• Tenacity
• Talent
• Tools
• Business Skills
• Branding
• Synergistic Attitude

Time

Many aspiring actors treat the process of becoming an actor—training, shooting, handling the business side, and more—with little respect. It’s similar to parents who say they want children but claim they don’t have the time right now. That mindset is confusing! When you truly love something, you make time for it. Most of the world’s greatest actors dedicated 8 to 10 years to intense training before even landing a minor role in a small production.

The life of an actor is one of sacrifice. We sacrifice friendships, home life, leisure travel, security, the freedom to look however we want, and sleep. In exchange, we participate in the most splendid profession on earth: acting. It is worth every sacrifice and more. If you don’t feel this way, you are not a true actor and likely never will be. The actor is passionate about performing while the world is caught up in phones, food, the internet, parties, drugs, drinking, and other distractions. When it comes to time, focus on your passion for performance if you want to succeed.

Tenacity

“The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things.  You got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right?

-Will Smith-

I couldn’t agree more. For over 40 years, I’ve heard every excuse imaginable from actors about why they can’t attend class, stick to a rehearsal schedule, or find time for a headshot. This simply fails to do what is necessary to succeed as an actor. I won’t listen to excuses. You either want this career, or you don’t.

Talent

The only way an actor can enhance their talent is through consistent practice: performing, attending classes, and rehearsing repeatedly. It is the acting coach’s responsibility to ensure that when you are in class, you are working in a way that fosters your growth as an actor. If you are not participating in classes, you disrupt that crucial cycle, and just like riding a bicycle with a wheel missing spokes, you will soon fall on your face.
 

Tools

All professions require tools.  Why would acting be any different?  You need all of the following, and we will help make sure you have them:

· Headshot (8×10) in portrait format on black, gray or heavy bokeh (blurred out) background

· Resume (no commercials listed) for theatrical submission

· Resume (commercials listed) for non-theatrical submission

· One Sheet

· Business cards

· Post cards

· Demo reel

· Performance Slate

· Website and your own private email address (no gmail, yahoo, etc.)

SYNERGISTIC ATTITUDE

The dictionary defines synergy as “the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.” No single person can achieve as much as a group of people working together toward a common goal. This principle must be at the core of ActingSOS.com. Individuals who do not wish to be part of the family and only seek to pursue their own goals will not be members of ActingSOS or truly be able to succeed in the industry. Conversely, those who work collaboratively for the group’s objectives will always be considered part of the family.