Lazy Actors Need Not Apply

I've had the opportunity to be a director this year on a few occasions and I'm noticing a common theme with actors: Laziness.  Maybe that's too harsh of a word, but actors are simply not putting in the work.  With being an actor myself, I'm trying to make sense of this.  I understand the hustle part of this business.  Especially in NY and if you don't have an agent. You're always running around looking for the next gig, months go by...no gig...submit like crazy...still no gigs.  Then all of a sudden you book multiple gigs and of course they all go up or shoot around the same time.  We wouldn't dare turn down any opportunity to work so we say yes to all the gigs that come our way, forgetting that each gig requires it's own 'time'.  You gotta prepare for these roles! Or at least you should.  As an actor I understand not wanting to turn down gigs, believing that I'll have the time to put in for each role, but as a director I could care less.  All I know is that you're showing up unprepared, constantly on your phone, not fully committed, haven't made not one solid choice for your character and/or you get a simple direction and you're completely thrown off.   I'm not thinking about all the other productions you have or how many "hats" you chose to wear.  All I know is that I most likely wouldn't have you on any production I'm a part of in which I have a say in who is cast. I now fully understand why directors work with the same people.  It's a trust factor.  I'm an actor first, so I know what it is to get a direction that may not resonate with me, but I respect the director and find a way to make it work.  Depending on the relationship I may respectfully explain where I was coming from in hopes of finding a common ground. If that's not an option, I suck it up and do everything I can to give the director what he/she wants.  Maybe I'm just making this a way bigger situation than what it really is.  Maybe the business has moved into fully accepting mediocrity (thank you reality tv).  Whatever the  case may be, I'm not going to accept that for my own work ethic. I will continue to treat every project like I'm getting paid the big bucks, so when I finally do get those dollars, I won't be thrown off by the work needed to be put in.  

Not really feeling you...

Man oh man! It's been an interesting couple of months. I've learned a lot.  I had an agent and a manager, dropped both and ended up with a new agency.  That whole process was such a learning experience.  It taught me about myself, what I want for me and my career.  I learned that it's imperative that I'm mindful about the team I'm building, even at this level.  The agent that I professionally parted ways with had no idea of my work, didn't ask for a monologue and refused to submit me for theater.  I said o.k., like 99.9% of actors would because we just want to say we have representation and hope by some miracle the auditions will start flooding in.  I'm glad it was just a verbal agreement to "test" the waters, so that's why I said yes, lets try this out. I mean no contract was signed.  But deep down down inside I knew he wasn't the kind of agent that screamed longevity.  I felt like I was there to just meet a quota.  I actually decided to part ways about 3 months in, when I actually forgot that I "had an agent".  That's never a good sign.  So I politely sent an email, he responded politely and that was that.  Now for the manager...we never met in person.  He was so busy with pilot season...I get it.  So we had a phone interview. He was very...what's the word...can't think of a single word so how about a phrase: He was very "you need me in order for your career to go anywhere".  That's never a good way to come at this actor.  I asked a simple question about my reel.  Sometimes as actors we think our package is awesome, and then someone else looks at it and gives up tips to make it better.  So I figured, why not ask someone who I might possibly work with what he thinks.  Because after all, I want to make sure I'm doing everything on my end to make sure I'm a bit easier to talk up to the CD's to give me a chance.  He proceeded to "lecture" me about how actors need to have more confidence in themselves and all this other crap.  Dude, I just asked for your opinion about my reel.  Whatever. I was ready to end the conversation with a thanks but no thanks when I was completely thrown when he asked us to freelance.  Am I bugging?  Were we on the same awkward phone call in which you talked and talked, asked me a question, cut me off and proceeded to talk some more?  You talked down to everything I was doing in my power to get ahead as an actor with no representation.  You were feeling yourself from beginning to end.  I think I said o.k. out of pure shock.  I remember ending the call thinking "WTF just happened".  But I never reached out again other than to tell him professionally that we need to part ways...a month after the phone interview.  I actually met my current agent at a seminar.  I know...I know.  Those pay-to-meets bring up all types of feelings.  But nevertheless, we met, had a meeting at her office a few weeks later, then we both agreed to work with each other.  It was very eye opening.  It let me know that there are agents who view actors as people.  Yes,  we are all out to make money, but freakin' treat me as a human being...please.  So there you have it folks.  Patience is key in this business.  Knowing what you want is key in this business.  Knowing your worth is key in this business! Until next time...stay focused and encouraged! 

Strategic patience

I can't believe that it's seriously November...tomorrow :)  Time has flew by.  This year has absolutely opened my eyes about the business side of things.  It's all about having a strategy, and having patience.  Two things that I did not have.  I'm not afraid to admit that.  I thought that having talent was enough.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of super talented people who aren't and will never be working actors.  That's the harsh reality of this business.  I love attending workshops with guest speakers who have the career that I'm striving to achieve.  Their stories are motivating and definitely have a similar tune.  Most, if not all, had experienced that time in their career where they were just about to give up.   They talked about the times in their journey where nothing, and I mean NOTHING was happening for them.  They would audition time after time and still nothing.  And I'm not just talking about months, for some there were years that went by and nothing.  It's crazy, but in a few stories they talked about being in those dull periods, being offered work, and turning down the work.  Now you may be thinking, 'Why the hell would an actor turn down work"?  Not until this year, did I understand why they did it.  They were trying to re-brand themselves.  It's the difference between only being called in for co-star roles to being called in for series regular roles.  If you keep accepting day player roles, that's all everyone will see you as.  And because they stood firm, and knew what they wanted out of their career, they are now reaping the benefits.  It's about having a plan and sticking to it.  It's about taking control of your career.  It's about having patience. I believe that having patience is easier when you have a plan in place.  Because you know that you're working, planting seeds day in and day out and it's just a matter of time before things begin to happen.   I'm determined to finish out 2015 strong and looking forward to 2016 and all of its many blessings!  Until next time...loving Jesus, life and every opportunity.  Follow me on Twitter & Instagram - @ShashoneLambert

Staying true to me!

It's been an interesting year to say the least.  Not in a bad way.  It just seems like nothing is going how I had planned.  Which is not a bad thing, it's a mind opening thing.  This thing called life is unbelievably unpredictable.  And not letting it get in the way of you reaching your goals is a fight, I will admit.  I'm pleased that I haven't let anything stop me from reaching my short term goals which are getting me closer to my long term goals.  Happy to say that I'm working with an agent now.  Praying that everything works with that.  However, agent or no agent my "hustle" is still the same.  I'll never feel comfortable putting my career in the hands of someone else.  I've realized that it's all about strategy and doing what works best for me.  I'm narrowing down on my "type" which is a word that quite honestly is very annoying to me.  Because everyone seems to have an idea of what an actors type is.  But, that's the business for you.  Everyone is going to have an opinion, but what matters is what you're comfortable with.  And ultimately I'm learning to keep my feelings out of things.  There's no room for feelings in this business.  I know that sounds terribly bad, but it's so true.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm now understanding the business side of acting more and more.  I wish I could give a defining moment when everything just clicked for me, but I can't.   I just now understand when people say  that talent is just not enough to make it.  It's all good. I used to be worried about how long it would take me to "make it".  Now...I'm just enjoying the journey.  Until next time...Loving Jesus, life and every opportunity.  Check me out on twitter & instagram - @ShashoneLambert