Why acting is daunting but it is where I want to be.

Actors performing a scene on stage

Ever since I was a little kid, I was often told the only way to succeed in life was to get a job that you stay with for 30 or so years, have a family, own some land, and always be there for your family. A life path that many parents of my generation in pursuit of the American Dream.Let me tell you, that sounds miserable and awful.

Ever since I was little I always felt called to the stage. At twelve I went on to audition for a little indie movie called "Tree of Life" and got a callback to Hollywood that unfortunely I was unable to persue do to the financial situation of my family. Two young parents couldnt afford to send little twelve year old me to LA for a week let alone the months of shooting if I ultimatly got the role. I later in life found out the role I got a callback for was the same one Tyler Sheridan got and later launched his career into full time acting.

A little later in life and I decided to join the high school "one act play" and secured roles in Man of La Mancha and Diary of Anne Frank but stopped after two seasons to focus on my goals of joining the military. The military felt like the option you take when what you want feels impossible and you didnt have a fall back (which I realistically did not). Trust me, I would never take back joining the service and am forever grateful for the experiences I afforded to me thanks to joining.

But now I am out of the service and have been given a second chance to find my path in life. How could I not chase the career I have always craved you might be saying. Acting, and the entertainment industry is daunting to say the least. As a service member I look to the ones who made it for mentorship and guidance yet because I am technically a nobody most of the talented successful people would barely acknowledge my existence.

If you ask someone in the industry they will tell you three simple rules: have a monologue for each audition, attend acting classes, have a good headshot. Check, Check and Check. Where is the best acting class? I am so glad you asked because it is subjective to the talent and the location, with some praising the unknown coach to recommending big conservatories around LA or Georgia.

Sometimes it can feel like I am yelling into the void to get those simple connections I desire to help me find some measure of success in a cuthroat industry and other-times it is meeting local indie artist who gave me a shot at their movie, working behind the scenes and fielding connections, and biding my time.

I often need to remind myseld that no matter how badly I want to be a successful actor with multiple credits in shows, It is an industry full of thousands of hopefuls wanting the same thing, and success is achievable by consistancy and luck. Maybe one day I will see myself on the big screens in Times Square for a movie I am in. Maybe one day ill be on the stage at the Oscar's claiming my trophy and thanking everyone for standing by me as I reach for the stars.

In the meantime, I work on my degree. I stay humble at my origins and remind myself to stay confident in what I produce even if its only seen by a single person and above all else, I remember that if I want it bad enough Ill eventually get to the top.

A quote I have begun to use that I will leave this post with is "Do It For You". Because nobody else will do it for you.