This particular post has been on my mind for quite awhile, but I get so busy working on other creative projects, that I rarely have time to sit down and let my creative juices loose on the ole keyboard in blog fashion. That being said, I just read a really fantastic article by my friend, Ben Whitehair called, “Acting vs. Being an Actor: The #1 Reason People Leave LA“. His interpretation of “Being an Actor” directly ties into the ideas that have been swirling around in my mind and has pushed me into writing this post.
You see, I find it fascinating that having grown up in the Midwest, Council Bluffs, IA and Omaha, NE to be exact, I haven’t lived the life many people assume all folks from that part of the world grow up experiencing; working on a farm, growing farm animals, milking cows, and planting seeds. Interestingly, I actually do more deliberate seed planting in Los Angeles than I ever did back home. How’s that?
Well, like Mr. Whitehair’s theory states, part of “Being an Actor” involves numerous hours of growing business relationships. Harvesting the fruits of your efforts in your acting business has a very similar process as it does when you grow crops. Initially, you have to plant the seed. Then you’d have to nurture the seed (giving it what it needs to grow – water, sunlight, and enough space). There’s a lot of waiting for the seed to become a full grown plant and during that period you have to make sure you’re tending to it regularly to ensure that it grows. After a lot of time’s passed and a lot of care’s given, you’re rewarded with the fruit of your time and effort.
The Entertainment Industry is a big business, but as the famous song states, “there’s no business like show business.” And it’s true. Many people outside of this industry understandably have very little idea what it’s like to pursue a career in this business, or what it’s like “Being an Actor”. They often ask questions like, “What are you working on now?” or “What’s the next thing they can see you in?”. And it is awesome to know that people are supporting you. Sometimes these questions come up when they haven’t seen an actor on television or movies for a period. But just because folks haven’t see a lovely actors mug up the the big or small screen doesn’t necessarily mean someone isn’t busy “Being an Actor”.
Every week, it is deeply important to the business of “Being an Actor” to plant new seeds, or new relationships with folks you’ve never met before. You have to nurture these relationship and the relationships you’ve already started (remembering not to smother them at the same time). Then, after long periods of development and nurturing, you hope to have an organic relationship. When those relationships are ripe, you don’t have to be forceful to get the fruits of your labor off the vine. With of all the care you’ve taken, harvesting is easy. Now the fruit will nearly fall off into your lap. Meaning the opportunity to work with the folks you truly want to collaborate with will be the obvious choice.
So, on a weekly basis, it is hugely important for me to continually go to networking events, send out marketing material, speak on the phone or email people, and try to follow up and collaborate with everyone that I meet that I find desirable to work with.
I guess you could say, in a way, that I’m more of a farmer now than I ever was. Just this time, I’m the unique kind – the West Coast Farmer kind.
If by one piece you mean several. Thanks for stomping on it. It wouldn’t have arrived without it.
Inspirational words to live by. Wishing you all the best in 2013 and all those years there after. With all the great care and diligence that you put forward in the production of your work a bountiful harvest is sure to follow. So proud of everything you have accomplished.
Hey, Bryan McClure of the clan McClure. It is/was very nice to find you on IMDb and to find this particular blog; well written! I will have to read others. It is great to see you still have your Midwestern roots as you grow in your acting career. See what I did there…I stayed with your planting metaphor! Your old (sadly that word, old, has taken both meanings…heehee) English teacher is very proud to see all you have done and I know you will be doing more. Your demo reel was perfect and you nailed the ending! Tell your sister hello for me next time you speak.
Thanks Mr. Baker! Of course it was well written! I’ve had some of the best English teachers around 😉 I’m Midwestern through and through and I’m darn proud of it. I appreciate your compliments about demo reel. I’ve put some work into it. 🙂 I hope you’re well!