Stop #dreaming ... start doing

Sep 22

I've been a professional actor for the last 10 years. Had pretty moderate success between that and modeling. I have a bunch of expired SAG cards and an IMDB page, my mom thinks I'm cool.

I can't help but see so many of the updates from my fellow actor friends in my newsfeed - and it literally ASTOUNDS me how many people just do not GET how much of the entertainment world has changed. For real, stop aspiring - start doing. You no longer have to "aspire" to be a writer, actor, or director - you actually just have to get off your butt and start doing it.

In 10 years, I have not even come HALF as close as to where I have gone in the last 10 months. The people that know this site from mainstream actors, to networks, studios - I mean ... WOW. Crazy overwhelming.

I didn't have aspirational dreams of getting to all of those people, I was too busy taking advantage of all the opportunities in my present reality. Dreams are dreams, and wants are wants. Stop dreaming, start doing.

For real, back in the day you might not have had access to a video camera, "professional word processor," or any of that other old school mumbo jumbo - but NOW YOU DO!!!!!!! Dude, start posting your monologues on YouTube. Use a mac, or even just your phone's video camera if you don't have a FlipCam. Sync them with a blog that says less about "so and so is experiencing smashing success in the field of acting this year. Signed with new management - Eat my shit and die talent" and more about the range of characters you can play, and examples of your work. Okay, so the name might be a bit much - but yes, that was actually taken from a friend of mine's blog. If I'm casting you, I want to know more about you. Don't tell me you're an actor, you can be anyone. Fuck that! Build characters online, show me whatcha got!!!! Crappy headshots that are so clearly photoshopped it isn't even funny just aren't going to cut it anymore. Times have changed. Your medium has changed!!! New media and old media are busy making sweet, sweet, love and when that baby pops out, you better be ready!!

Actor fan/like pages can be a bit douchey, unless you've actually done something that really is worth one. And yes, you will know what I mean. Definitely create a twitter account, start engaging in conversations and build a following. Followings are undeniable; a studio, network, or agency is more likely willing to want to invest with you if they can SEE your fan base. Remember, we are all still kids that just got a bit taller. Out of sight, out of mind.

I can speak from very personal experience, that I have ABSOLUTELY no interest in dealing with anyone that tells me what they "want" to do with their life. What ARE you doing with your life? I deal in 86,400 seconds at a time. If your aspirational goal in life is to be a big producer, and you're not even out there producing SOMETHING ... SOMEWHERE, I will want absolutely nothing to do with you. I won't apologize for that sounding harsh, but life is too short - and the time to be alive is RIGHT NOW. Anyone can take an idea, market the crap out of it, and be heard. You have to get off your own ass and step up to your own plate.

Life is a series of todays and right now. Start right now. It's all you've got.