So How's The Acting Thing Going?

The question so many friends and family always ask is, "So, how's the acting thing going?" Like it's some kind of experiment or something. It's kind of like the "How did it go?" question that's asked after auditions. 'It went.' 'It's going.' It's hard to explain to those on the outside who really have no idea what it's like to go through the things I have to go through to get where I want to go. Like going into a blank room and having nothing but your imagination to work with when everything that's written in the script only exists in your mind. Auditioning and acting are two different animal, two different sports. Auditioning is like golf, where everything and all eyes are on you. All you have is the ball (the script in this case) and everyone (casting, directors, producers) is watching to see what you do with it. Acting, is like football...where you react according to the the circumstances, depending on what your teammates/opponents (other characters) do to you. Make sense? Sort of, kind of? Not really? Ok. Yea, neither does this business sometimes.

Landing the role that helps you "break-thru", or any role for that matter, can be so excruciatingly mind-boggling that it can and will damn near drive you crazy. Let me throw this analogy at you...Imagine trying to find happiness, yea? Or...let's say love. That's all anyone wants in life, to be happy and find love, right? You meet so many (auditions) different people along the way. Some you know from first sight (terrible scripts) that they're not right for you. Some you see and think on the surface (a role you feel you can sink your teeth into) 'Hey, this may work!' Then you get further (callbacks) into it and that may be it. It doesn't go your way. Not for you. It's hard. Then every so often one comes along and you are thrilled by what you see. You meet them and you meet again (another callback)...and sometimes again (producers session) and again (director & producer session)...maybe two months go by (casting for films can take forevvvver) and they want to meet one more time (screen test) and you get a little giddy inside because you know this might be the one. This could be it! Then sometimes for reasons unbeknownst to you, it's not going any further. Yea, that's when it is really hard. So close to finding love...But close doesn't count for much. Then it's on to the next one. It either makes you want it more (knowing your so close), or makes you want to give up (think about doing something else with your life). The latter I just cannot see myself doing.

Growing up, I always thought of myself as an athlete and always thought that I would end up working in the sports industry one way or another. However, an injury in high school (a blog about this in the near future) turned out to be the catalyst that put me on the path I am on. My mother gave me a profound book when I was a kid. The book and the philosophies within it, have stuck with me ever since. They can be applied to pretty much anything in life. Using failure as motivation. Putting the work in. Preparation. Believing in yourself.

"I can accept failure but I can't accept not trying. I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results. Always turn a negative situation into a positive. Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen. My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the belief that the ability to achieve starts in your mind."

The book was calledI Can't Accept Not Trying by Michael Jordan.

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."