Acting : No More Acting by Liam Lionheart

Hold on a second. If you make a demo reel right now about an actor who has "given up" acting ... you know, just improvise based on what you are feeling, it will be very genuine, right? I mean, don't act ... just express. Then take that "acting" reel to an acting coach, and ask him or her to teach you how you get that genuine delivery even when it is your character who is going through the emotions. If he or she can teach you to do that, you will get a lot of jobs! That would be my advice.

One problem, I don't have a camera or someone to reciprocate with. Just a cam camera

Perhaps there is someone else local to you who is also interested in acting, and has a camera. You could film them, or do some lines opposite them, and then they could reciprocate for you. This is where networking and being likable and positive works in your favor.

On Thursday I'm meeting up with a contact and going through a few ideas for a reel. So I'm taking one step at a time, this time around. if anyone needs me for anything, short film or not, I'll be around.

Hey Liam, I remember you from Beckinfield but you didn't post a lot did you? I was Leda Jo on there, very active for a couple of years. Had a blast. So, I think I may have missed a post before this one but you say you're giving up acting? Sorry to hear it but it can get discouraging. Hope you find something you love.

Can I ask if you are a networker? And by networker I mean off-line. I always suggest meeting people off-line. Find some mixers to go to and support work that your peers put out. Sometimes producers and directors have someone in mind for a part while they are still in the idea stages.

@Neva J Howell I do other things to keep my self busy however it's not acting and I have too much down time to myself as well. I rather be working all the time, jumping from one project to another. I'm a writer 'self published and have been writing screen plays' also a camera operator 'not a lot of work' 5 to 6 times a year. @Niecy C. I do network off-line within the theater section in Oakville, as the man I work for has many connections since he used to make plays for the local area during the 1990's. He stopped doing that to filming plays, weddings, music videos. Neville has introduced me to quite a number of people. Now as for Beckinfield, I haven't posted in a while and I intend to make several new postings for the remainder of this week and for the next few months to keep active.

Beckinfield, as an online story, is over. It ended around May. There is a new platform at theatrics now though, where you can create your own show. Might wanta check it out. It really helps me with creative thinking and writing.

Hello Liam - I had a look at your reel and to be honest, it's easy to see why anyone looking at that, would pass over you for a potential part. The clip called '9' is unfocused in terms of what it is about, or what you are trying to convey. The other reel clip has a teddy bear in it?? Great maybe, if the part calls for a teddy bear . . . Based on the 2 of these clips, how is anyone in your network A supposed to take you seriously B consider you for any kind of part, as they have no measure of your acting ability? Maybe be what you need is someone outside of your network to give it to you straight, no BS. Before you can effect a solution, you must first identify the problem. I'd start with posting some appropriate reels.

@ Eion O'Sullivan that's only a filler until I have a proper one. Once I do I'll be taking both of them off, I'm well aware of what they look like but thank you for the advice. @Neva J Howell I became aware of that when they sent me an e-mail. I'm aware of two of them and have my own. As of Welke I haven't figured it out.

Liam - It would be better to have no reel on your profile, as opposed to a bad one. It will only do you a disservice.

Talking to the main point of your frustration - This is a business of thick skinned tenacious beasts and unfortunately rejection is the most common end. I'm not an actor, but I can relate to the feelings if rejection. When I first started writing I sent my original pilot script out to almost eight hundred different producers and production companies within that first year, 783 to be exact, and number 784 bought it. Since then I've been in development every year and landed myself a great agent. Start something locally and find some like minded individuals, create your own little collective. Write some shorts with friends, shoot them and put up on YouTube. The more you do it, the better you get and someone will take notice. It takes five to ten years to become an overnight success. If you really want it you have to take it! And remember, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. There's a great quote by Henry Ford "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right". Tell yourself you deserve it and start thinking you can and you'll be right.

Big actors go several years with nothing. Its about determination. Have faith :)

never give up on your craft! if you still have a passion for it,keep doing it. if there isnt work out tgere, My advice is to create your own work.(creating your own low budget webseries or short film ) it takes time to be successful. keep auditioning, update your reel,network and repeat.

I'll tell you a story. I always wanted to be an actor, or entertainer. When I was younger, alot younger, my uncle Hy Anzel who was a great character actor got me an audtion for an off broadway show. I had to sing a song so I brought the sheet music and headed over to the theatre. The song I chose was "If I had a Hammer" by Peter, Paul, and Mary. (Bad choice) When it was my time to sing I got up, but no matter what I tried I couldn't sing in the right key. After 3 attempts I hear a disembodied voice from the back of the threatre say "Thank you" I slinked off the stage. That experience was so painfull that I gave up the dream and went into radio. Radio was good to me because I was able to do comedy, characters, or in other words act. But it wasn't the kind of acting I wanted to to. I always had that nagging feeling that I should of sucked up that failed audition, and just went on. About 4 years ago, I told myself to shit or get off the pot, and went after bringing some of the dream back. Since I had a job, I wasn;t concerned with "making it" to live. and my attitude was...hey, I get the part, fine, I don't, who cares! I told myself if a door opened, I would walk through it no matter what. Since then, I've done network shows, feature films, indies, print ads, and I'm in David O Russel's "Amercian Hustle" as a principle. Never give up the dream.

Great story, Gary. And kudos to you for living that story!

Instead of giving up, get more involved. I understand your frustration but from the view point of a writer, musician, director, and overall creative person. This field is plagued by the "stardom" disease. Instead of wanting to be a part of someone's project. DO YOUR OWN! I moved out to Hollywood a few years back, just looking to make connections and i realized one thing. NO one wants you until you have something to your name, and no one wants to help you put your name on anything, not even friends. So I moved back home to Richmond, VA and started a plan. The first was to create a website (TheStrongestThereIs.com), Dedicated, as an outlet, for me and my friends who are creative as hell and trapped. Attract those that understand the plight and grow into a community. Once accomplished, I keep the site maintained and build content for the day I would attract an even bigger audience. I began using my frustration as a tool to create podcast, videos, indie music videos, and an all around back back catalogue. From there I just socialized until connections formed that have now allowed me to finally get a small script and a producer with business intelligence. Now we see where it goes. I suggest you do the same thing. I don't know what you do for a day job but everyone's experience is their own, and people do want to hear it, even if they don't want to set the stage. You want to act. Buy a 350 dollar HD camera and start doing video blogs to create your own persona to sell to the world. The internet is the best source of advertisement and once you have a catalog of videos, get a website to use as a portfolio (THAT ISN'T A NETWORKING SITE) and show people you're ready to do it by yourself. That, has bigger potential, than most of these sites offer. Then when you join a site like this, you never know who has seen your videos and it could open doors. If that doesn't work, go find someone that will write an in depth, monologue that will showcase your talents, and film yourself trying to pull off the production by yourself. That's a documentary and a short in one! Hell, I'LL WRITE IT! Never give up! Never let others decide your worth or take their opinions or lack of interest as a reflection of self. You know what, screw it. Contact me at teamcannon6@gmail.com and we can set you up as a contributor on the website and I'll showcase your monologue and whatever other videos you come up with. Also, I'm not lying either. I'll write you a monologue or a few. Also, if you take me up on my offer, I would love it if you made a video voicing your outrage and how this all has gone for you.

having a reel would have helped...

put it on here ^__^, film-makers will wanna see it on here so its far easier accessible instead of clicking onto links.

In my opinion nyway

Make ur birth chart checked. There r periods of recessions and turn overs. That will clear up the things for u. Find a real Vedic astrologer. If u can't I can recommend one for u. She may have some space in her tight schedule.

@ Evren - the question referred to acting, not personal or spiritual beliefs, please stay on topic.

@Eoin I am not interested in the topic. I took it as a very personal confession in the end of a long time frustration and out of emphaty I suggested something may change his mind and give some uplifting. Besides there is nothing in this world not related to our personal life or spiritual progress. If it is just acting think again. And just in case you did not see read his opening sentence again. "I'll focus on other things in life"

I'm not sure what I am, spiritual or not, I get enlightenment through sitting on a chair or just staring at a blank screen. I believe in being nice to people, to help out every once in a while. A righteous man once said 'there's more than one way to get enlightenment, believe in the things you do. Take pride in the things you do, but be careful, pride can lead down to overconfidence.' Now on another note, I was talking to my friend Nathan McLeod (Kid's town, Life with Boys, DrugsNot4Me: Pick Your Path, Really Me, Breakout Kings, At Risk, The Latest Buzz, The Good Witch, Super Why) yesterday, brain storming of what to do 'a reel or short film'. So it looks like I will be acting after all in the near future, though I will have to write it. I'll have to foot the bill and get in debt for a while. six months worth, unless I can find someone to help with it. So I'm reaching out and looking for an investor or producer.

@ Evren - If you're not interested in the topic, it begs the question why post? You didn't see anyone else offer their spiritual beliefs, did you? I read Liam's opening sentence and Liam is better qualified to say what he wants, not you or I. In context, title and content, this relates to acting, it's outside of your desire to introduce Liam to your beliefs.

@eoin Maybe I was interested in Liam not the discussion ;) I do not need to take permission from anyone to express my thoughts. Besides it is strange that no one attacking other than you!

@Evren 'attack', yeah, melodramatic much? No wants to censor your right to freedom of expression, but not every post is an opportunity for you to jump on a soapbox and espouse beliefs that are outside of the context of what is being discussed.

@eoin so you are the judge to decide and guard to protect. By the way I registered to this web site just yesterday and suddenly I saw the post and I did not even realize that it was a discussion I thought it was a thought of someone shared on his wall and I tried to help. It is so funny to see how some people get aggressive and judgmental out of nothing. I advice you to not to drag the subject far as you have been battling against from the beginning. But ego makes people do things and act on impulse other than logic.

@ Evren - I see you like blowing things out of context. Thanks for explaining why you posted at the end of your last comment, that was very honest. All the best.

@eoin wise finally, all the best too ;)

Keep your options open. You never know when an opportunity might arise. There is a book I read 10 years ago called How to Sell Yourself As An Actor by K Callan. Great book and changed the way I viewed acting.

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Hinduism/2001/01/British-Physicist-Debun...

Like anything take with a grain of salt but do both look at creating opportunities and look at things metaphysically. You'd be surprised what you may find. I am myself into personal development and the spiritual things. I do find that sometime it can be very helpful. All boils down to what feels right, intuition and common sense even trusting in the unknown which can be scary.

Don't give up, just change you thoughts on how you review a denial, denial is a part of the business not in a way that you have been focusing maybe you weren't the right person for the part, just maybe when you go to auditions you have already prepared yourself unknowingly for denial, change what it is that you are feeling, if you believe in God focus you trust in him to guide you through, no matter who you are before you made it you were faced with being denied, I have and still get denied yet I know the outcome, no one else knows but I sure do. No don't give up keep doing what you, and remember those who passed you up missed an opportunity not you! GOD BLESS!

Hehe, well this is a giant response.Fear not I turned it around, I didn't want to be one of those actors who gives up. I'm working on a short film or my own as I have been floating around a few idea's with a few friends and landed on one. Nathan Mcleod and a director friend of his 'now mine' are now developing a story that's going to knock your socks off. That's all I can give you.

Create your own little project. Get some other actors together and improvise a short film.

hey Richard Don't give up! i was once like that! i was homeless right after my first film! and for 2 year i could get no work! then roger called on me again an i was working at the time for version, in a week i life there and was in the philippine shooting two movies back to back! i had now acting school noting! did not know anything about the business or anything but i know i could not stop! and now we have the things like IG and man has that keep me fresh and known! just doing other things that is in acting! skits on your media. but don't stop

@Kaye Bewley I did a while back thanks though.

Nothing wrong with being on the other side of the lens.