If you've been "buying in" to the ageless tradition of the starving actor, then there's only one question for you: Why?

Being an aspiring actor does not necessarily equal being miserable. Nevertheless, countless actors will argue the point, saying that struggling and going hungry is all part of the package; that it's an accepted, or guaranteed reality. This kind of sad logic is not only self-defeating, but ironically enough, completely unnecessary. (Henry Ford once said that if you argue for your limitations, then sure enough, they're yours!)

In any event, the seemingly elusive solution is remarkably simple. Once you identify what actually perpetuates this useless myth in the first place, you're on your way to eating better, paying your bills on time, and all the while pursuing the artistic love of your life.


So what's the "villain" here? It's merely trying to audition for practically everything at once. No ifs, ands or buts--that's it! Most actors could escape this self-chosen predicament of poverty if they just stopped for a moment and examined how acting jobs are ordinarily divided up into two categories, each one having its own time frame of operations.

As an example, you've probably noticed that plays generally go on at night. Even the rehearsals are normally conducted in the evenings. Of course, we're speaking of the norm, as there can be occasional exceptions. Be that as it may, most theatrical work takes place around or outside business hours. Therefore, the evident solution lies in having a nine-to-five job that will guarantee a constant paycheck but give you the freedom at night to go after stage work.

Many actors get into trouble by jeopardizing their day job. With evenings free to concentrate on theater, they remain unsatisfied with just stage work. Finagling time off during business hours to also attend film and TV auditions, they foolishly risk losing their only dependable source of income.

Like stage work, the majority of film and television jobs fall primarily into the other time frame--the daytime hours. Thus, if you aspire to film and television roles, you naturally have to get a late afternoon or evening job. And if possible, ask for weekdays off so you'll be working weekends, leaving two successive days totally free sometime between Monday and Friday.

The key is to decide upon which single genre--stage or film--you wish to concentrate on for the time being. Then, simply structure your job hours to coincide with your choice.

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The preceding was an excerpt from the best selling acting book, WINNING AUDITIONS - 101 Strategies for Actors (Limelight Editions, NY) written by Mark Brandon. Mark is a native Californian who now makes his home in Vancouver, BC. He has appeared in over 100 commercials, films and TV series.

Copyright © Mark Brandon. Used with permission of the author. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

For more audition strategies and career building advice, visit: www.WinningAuditions.com

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