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!