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The
Actor's Sanity Test
(By Mark Brandon,
Author of
WINNING AUDITIONS - 101 Strategies
for actors (www.WinningAuditions.com)
As
an actor, you know how exhilarating
it is to learn you've just landed a
part. Moreover, you also know the
bitter feeling of being turned down
approximately nineteen times out of
twenty before you're hired. Whether
you're a seasoned pro or just a
beginner, the fact remains that it's
not always easy dealing with dashed
hopes. As a matter of fact, nearly
every actor at one time or another
falls into a familiar, yet vicious
self-esteem trap.
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When you begin to derive your
entire sense of fulfillment
and personal worth exclusively from
the outcome of your auditions, then
you can be sure you're in the trap.
And you'll always find ample
opportunity there to give in to
feelings of inadequacy or depression
because the number of rejections to
number of jobs actually attained is
always larger. In essence, you end
up postponing the joy of living by
waiting for someone else to give you
permission to be happy.
Whenever you find the endless rounds of auditions are starting to wear
you down, herding you into the trap, take heart. There's an effective
remedy. And it starts to work once you take the simple sanity test for
actors.
This test consists only of one, uncomplicated question that you ask
yourself: "If the art or craft of acting never even existed, what else
would I be doing; what would be my consuming passion?"
If pondered carefully and answered honestly, the response can have
amazing effects. Clearly identifying another worthwhile pursuit impels
you to grow in new and different ways by summoning additional, unused
resources. In short, it effectively galvanizes your potential into
action. Instead of lying around, grousing about your "down time"
(nothing going on acting-wise) you can set yourself to work on an
entirely different but equally stimulating endeavor. Without waiting
for permission from anybody, you can jump right into this "other life,"
getting involved in a fulfilling, secondary passion.
Besides acting, what is your secondary passion? Is it dancing?
Music? Composing? How about even starting your own business? As an
example, one actor used his down time rescuing lost pets from the
ravines and canyons surrounding Los Angeles. Interestingly enough, he
turned out to be quite successful at it. Later, he even founded a
society that drew the attention and financial support of many
celebrities.
Why not insulate yourself from the self-esteem trap right at this
moment? Elect to take the test before proceeding into any of my other
recommended audition Strategies. Once you've identified your other
passion, you'll begin to have insights into fresh plans or activities
you can get involved in at a moment's notice. Thus, when any audition
fails to come through as you'd like, you'll be surprised at how quickly
any distressed feelings evaporate as a result of your other pursuit.
And, most important, you'll keep your sanity, never again having to wait
for "the powers that be" to say when you're allowed to feel good about
yourself.
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