Grating Expectations
Why are actors so f*cking miserable?
On paper it's an amazingly fulfilling profession. What could be more satisfying than exhibiting your insight, skill and artistry to a multitude of adoring, awe-struck admirers? What better way to spend you working days exploring the sub-strata of human existence and devising ever more innovative ways of revealing these psychological artefacts to a grateful audience? What could be more fulfilling than a life dedicted 100% to the pursuit of your art?
And there we have it. Expectations.
I would suggest that very few actors get into the profession because of a passion for teaching or because of an irresistable need to busk, or wait tables, or pull pints, or to drag unsuspecting marks out of the shower to discuss double-glazing.
That however is the reality. It is VERY rare for actors to make a full-time living from their profession. The reality is that Acting is not a profession at all. Acting is a vocation. The difference being that a profession is what you do to live while a vocation is what you live to do.
The problem is that we are sold the lie by the Ironmongers. We are told that if we only believe in ourselves enough they can make it happen for us. If we have faith then we will be given the break. Wealth, trophy partners, rehab and the cover of Heat are all within our grasp.
The delusion of 'success' is the delusion of celebrity. It is the delusion of the lottery punter. Note that all of these are external measures. They all assume that validation comes from the outside. They are reflections in a fairground mirror and they are all within the gift of the industry's inumerable GateKeepers and parasites.
Re-adjusting our perspectives to viewing acting as a vocation significantly corrects this celebrity astigmatism.
Yes, of course, excelling at the job can have the side-effect of celebrity with all the pros and cons that implies. Yes, of course, you can taylor your approach and choices to increase the likelihood of achieving celebrity but in that case you are using acting as a means and not an end.
Celebrity, fame and fortune are NOT inevitable consequences of success as an actor. Personal challenge, evolution and fulfillment are.
The job is an end in itself.
Consequently, the Actor will always have to find ways to support himself. Frustratingly, we have to spend a significant amount of time, energy and spirit on survival in order to pursue our vocation. Whether you are an established actor using whatever celebrity you've achieved to generate cash or whether you're a neophyte stuffing envelopes as piece-work the vocation always implies some external means of supporting the craft.
Accept that Acting is a vocation and not a profession. Yes, it can be financially and egotistically lucrative but these are side-effects, and even obstacles, thrown up by the job. They are coincidental not consequential.
Acting is an end in itself. An acting career does not automagically fill the void left by parental indifference. An acting career does not automagically splint your fractured ego. An acting career does not automagically guarantee you wealth and status. These are separate issues. Deal with them separately.
Does that depress you? Good. Depression is a signal that something is wrong. It is a wake up call.
Trash your delusions, clarify your choices and then make them. Take responsibility. You chose to become an actor and therefore you chose all of the consequences of being an actor. Your choice. Your responsibility.
You would probably have little sympathy for someone who became a monk because he thought he'd look good in Pope's vestements and spent the rest of his life craving the ways of the flesh. Why should you expect sympathy if you've chosen the vocation of an actor and yet expect the status, stability and material benefits of a Profession?
If you don't want to be here don't be here.
On paper it's an amazingly fulfilling profession. What could be more satisfying than exhibiting your insight, skill and artistry to a multitude of adoring, awe-struck admirers? What better way to spend you working days exploring the sub-strata of human existence and devising ever more innovative ways of revealing these psychological artefacts to a grateful audience? What could be more fulfilling than a life dedicted 100% to the pursuit of your art?
And there we have it. Expectations.
I would suggest that very few actors get into the profession because of a passion for teaching or because of an irresistable need to busk, or wait tables, or pull pints, or to drag unsuspecting marks out of the shower to discuss double-glazing.
That however is the reality. It is VERY rare for actors to make a full-time living from their profession. The reality is that Acting is not a profession at all. Acting is a vocation. The difference being that a profession is what you do to live while a vocation is what you live to do.
The problem is that we are sold the lie by the Ironmongers. We are told that if we only believe in ourselves enough they can make it happen for us. If we have faith then we will be given the break. Wealth, trophy partners, rehab and the cover of Heat are all within our grasp.
The delusion of 'success' is the delusion of celebrity. It is the delusion of the lottery punter. Note that all of these are external measures. They all assume that validation comes from the outside. They are reflections in a fairground mirror and they are all within the gift of the industry's inumerable GateKeepers and parasites.
Re-adjusting our perspectives to viewing acting as a vocation significantly corrects this celebrity astigmatism.
Yes, of course, excelling at the job can have the side-effect of celebrity with all the pros and cons that implies. Yes, of course, you can taylor your approach and choices to increase the likelihood of achieving celebrity but in that case you are using acting as a means and not an end.
Celebrity, fame and fortune are NOT inevitable consequences of success as an actor. Personal challenge, evolution and fulfillment are.
The job is an end in itself.
Consequently, the Actor will always have to find ways to support himself. Frustratingly, we have to spend a significant amount of time, energy and spirit on survival in order to pursue our vocation. Whether you are an established actor using whatever celebrity you've achieved to generate cash or whether you're a neophyte stuffing envelopes as piece-work the vocation always implies some external means of supporting the craft.
Accept that Acting is a vocation and not a profession. Yes, it can be financially and egotistically lucrative but these are side-effects, and even obstacles, thrown up by the job. They are coincidental not consequential.
Acting is an end in itself. An acting career does not automagically fill the void left by parental indifference. An acting career does not automagically splint your fractured ego. An acting career does not automagically guarantee you wealth and status. These are separate issues. Deal with them separately.
Does that depress you? Good. Depression is a signal that something is wrong. It is a wake up call.
Trash your delusions, clarify your choices and then make them. Take responsibility. You chose to become an actor and therefore you chose all of the consequences of being an actor. Your choice. Your responsibility.
You would probably have little sympathy for someone who became a monk because he thought he'd look good in Pope's vestements and spent the rest of his life craving the ways of the flesh. Why should you expect sympathy if you've chosen the vocation of an actor and yet expect the status, stability and material benefits of a Profession?
If you don't want to be here don't be here.
heidless (11:58 am)
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