so I’ve been moving forward very slowly in my career for years, playing it very safe. And I now feel like it’s time to take some risks and just plunge into the unknown.
as it stands right now I work a full time job and the schedule completely prevents me from attending classes and going to booking without fear of losing the job.
my question is what do you guys think about taking that risk? if you think it would be a good idea to do what are some other ways to supplement that lost income without the full time job that provides flexibility for advancing my career?
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Hi, Justin Elijah. Stage 32 has Acting Education (www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Acting). You could watch them piece by piece when you have time.
Stage 32 also has Acting Blogs (www.stage32.com/blog/tags/acting-9).
And Stage 32 has a Job Board you could search for acting jobs that fit your schedule (www.stage32.com/find-jobs). Maybe on your day(s) off. The Job Boad is updated regularly.
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There are a lot of gig jobs you can do, food delivery, catering, day labor, etc. Aaron Marcus has a YouTube channel and has posted in this lounge listing things you can do. I encourage you Justin Elijah to take some webinars and to scroll throw previous posts in this lounge.
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Justin Elijah this is a difficult one to answer and I trust that you will make the right decision about whether to ditch the job or not. I think the resources and ideas already shared are helpful. I read of many brave-hearted individuals who go 'all in' with no Plan B. I understand this adds lots of fuel to your fire and gives you 110% drive to try and make it work. I think that is easier to do when you are young like you are so could be a good moment to try. On the other hand, going all-in and ditching the job can bring with it a lot of fear and anxiety so it all depends on what type of person you are and how much of that you can handle without it affecting your acting motivation, resilience and motivation. Personally I'm glad I have my non-acting job to fall back on which gives me security.
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Hey Justin Elijah This is such a relatable crossroads that so many creatives face - the tension between financial security and career advancement. Your instinct that it might be time to take calculated risks shows you're thinking strategically about your long-term goals.
Before making the leap, consider these factors:
- Do you have 6-12 months of living expenses saved?
- Are there any freelance opportunities in your current field that could provide flexible income?
- Could you negotiate part-time or remote work with your current employer first?
- What specific classes/networking events are you missing that feel essential?
Alternative income streams that offer flexibility:
- Freelance work in your existing skill set
- Teaching/tutoring (often evening/weekend work)
- Gig economy work (driving, delivery) that you can schedule around opportunities
- Remote consulting in your area of expertise
- Part-time work in film/entertainment adjacent fields
Middle-ground approaches to consider:
- Taking unpaid leave for important opportunities
- Shifting to contract work in your current field
- Building your network through online classes and virtual events first
- Weekend workshops and evening networking events
The key question is: Are the opportunities you're missing truly essential for advancement, or could you build momentum through more flexible options first?
Sometimes the biggest risk is staying too comfortable for too long. But sometimes it's jumping without a safety net when a more strategic approach could get you there with less financial stress.
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You are always worth the investment and it's never a risk when you bet on yourself! Try not to look at the whole picture and take it step by step. There is a joy and satisfaction that you feel when you are doing what you love and it's irreplaceable.