When you just start your acting career and begin to navigate the unknown maze that is your options for acquiring skills as an actor, you really need all the encouragement and support you can get. This, of course, applies to your friends and family foremost because they are your trusted loved ones who are supposed to have your back no matter what. Right? Not always.
If you feel as though everyone you know is negative and just plain doesn’t “get it,” then take a moment and see your choice to become an actor from your family and friends’ perspectives. An attorney, a doctor, an accountant, or another mainstream occupation is more acceptable than what they perceive a struggling artist’s life to be, schlepping from audition to audition unpaid and having to attend classes in order to hone your skill set. Your spouse probably sees your decision to be without the proper consideration for your collective future together.
One of the best ways to deal with possible negativity from your family is to try and understand that they really do have your best interests at heart, and their intentions are good.
When your parents or significant other responds to you with anything other than, “Don’t worry. You’ll book the next role,” or “Hey, can I help in any way for your next audition?” simply display that you’re being responsible and earning a living doing something while pursuing your acting career.
If they do see that you are completely immersed in this career and are busy with every opportunity in moving forward then that shows you are to be taken at your word and they should see your commitment to your craft.
Whatever the outcome of your specific relationships, always think positively and embrace the challenges and adventures as you navigate your way as an actor. This is a truly exciting and invigorating process. You can be a part of evoking emotion from strangers as they sit in front of their TVs or in an audience by making them cry, laugh, get angry, and be entertained. You can make them forget everything for just a moment. Now that is worth more than you know.
#actors #support #goals
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Tammy Hunt Hi Tammy, I'm a writer and not an actor. I do have supportive friends and others who dismiss it as a delusional act on my part. And some of my family openly support me, but others, well, I have all the social standing of an Alchemist - who in centuries gone by were under a death sentence if caught!! An Alchemist because they don't understand what I do. I don't talk to them about it, because it is just too much of a negative experience, however my friends always want to know what I'm writing and we have great conversations.
It's important to not take the words of the naysayers to heart, but allow them to float on by.
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Incredible advice, Tammy Hunt! I've heard creatives talk about this issue (I've experienced it myself), but I've never heard this advice. Phenomenal post! Thanks!