by Douglas Taurel
Acting is the only profession in which you will always be in a constant state of unemployment, always, you will always be looking for work. You book a TV series, a film, a play or a tour, and when that project ends and it will end at some point, you’ll need to find work again. This is the harsh reality of being an actor but you can not only survive in this constant state of unpredictability, you can thrive.
The key is to having a goal, having something to aim at. During times of unemployment, goals support and protect us. Goals keeps you sharp and they opens doors for you but most importantly, they give you a purpose as an artist. You need a goal that inspires you to do more, and to improve every single day. Even if it’s only by a small percentage. Be a better actor today than you were yesterday. Strive to do more today than what you did yesterday.
Sitting around waiting to be booked on an acting job, or hoping that your agent or manager finds you work, is aimless and hopeless. And is what causes such large amounts of depression in actors. You feel like you have no control over your artistic life but you do have control. You have so much more control than you think.
Go to work on a monologue that needs to be sharpened, learn a new monologue, learn twenty monologues or create a project for yourself. Always be improving and creating every single day that you call yourself an actor. It is not only the best strategy, it is the only strategy you have.
Improving your craft as an actor gives you a strong sense of purpose and direction, it invigorates you. It keeps you moving forward towards something a target, and that action will always open doors for you – and there’s a practical reason for this.