There's a pervasive psychological trap that I see more and more artists (most often actors) falling into.
I overheard the following exchange in an elevator this week and I just had to share it with you all. The elevator in question was in one of those midtown buildings (you know the ones) that seem to host 90% of the auditions for commercial and legit work.
The two gentlemen boarding the elevator were clearly actors on their way to the same audition. The manila envelopes full of head shots 'n resumes, the polished shoes and hair, the powdered face. Every thing "just so."
Here's what I overheard, verbatim:
"Have you read for him before?"
"Once but it was for some show no one had ever heard of. Years ago. You?"
"No. Any advice?"
"Just be yourself and try to pretend your entire career doesn't depend on this gig."
"Even though it actually does?"
"Exactly!"
They both laughed as they exited the elevator, leaving me to ponder their exchange for another three floors. Being the silly soul I am, it got me to thinkin'...
There's a destructive myth floating around out there and it affects actors, writers, directors... pretty much every creative artist working in this business. I call it the "big break" syndrome.
The myth goes something like this:
If I can just bide my time doing this "small time" work until I get my "big break" I'll someday have a "real" career. The problem with this thinking is it's an obvious psychological trap. Because this belief system puts all current work—the production one is currently rehearsing or writing or whatnot—into a 2nd class category, while reserving the stamp of "significant" for some future dream job.
By buying into this "if only someday" mentality, the artist cheats whatever work he or she is currently involved in and by so doing, cheats him or herself of a successful career.
Why? Because one job leads to another and another and so on. We are living and working on career paths. The quality of your work today will directly influence how you are viewed by your colleagues today, many of whom may be in a position to hire you tomorrow for that "dream job." By cheating the present for an imaginary future, we cheat ourselves of both.
All the most successful actors I've had the pleasure of working with have shared one simple trait: they gave their undivided attention to the current job, no matter how large or small. And by doing so, they developed a reputation for seriousness, talent, skill and dedication.
That is why the first time I saw an actor cramming for an audition during a rehearsal I was running, I asked him to leave the room. And I have never tolerated this since.
Nor should any of us if we care about ourselves and our craft.
