Much of our time as actors is spent WAITING. Waiting for a call from our agent, a casting director, a friend who has a job and ” there could be a part for you” and above all the welcome call saying ” you got the part!”. You may even be waiting for a film you’ve done to be released, Endless patience is needed. The skin of a rhinoceros, for when the answer is “no”- again – and above all the determination to keep going.
A Producer I worked for, said “don’t be downcast, a rejection is not personal, it’s often based on so many things, money, a bigger name needed, location, etc. of my past agents said “nonsense ….every rejection is personal…you just weren’t right or wanted for the part”, The first observation is kinder, easier to accept, but knowing what a brutal business this is. I would advise a young actor to learn how to deal with the second comment. Take it as personal, grit your teeth and tell yourself ” I will make them want me”. Even if the Producer’s comment is truer, the second will help you build the armour of steel and the determination to keep going.
So while you are waiting, use the time to keep working on your skills -voice, movement, memorising lines. A famous actress, Dame Sybil Thorndike, learned a piece of poetry every day, memory, like acting is a muscle, exercise it. Why not write your self a nice part and get together with your film maker friends and make a short film. Record some verse / a story, put it online. ” All the world’s a stage” and now all the Internet is a stage, particularly YouTube! One of my most successful short films COUGAR, was one I wrote and got filmed for myself in 2015 … still on YouTube. It was a satisfying experience and filled time I might have wasted waiting for a job to come my way.
So my friends, don’t waste too much of your time waiting and wasting precious time, do something creative, productive for yourself.
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