I set out in January 2021 which turned into a furious grind of acting classes, a business course, shooting demo scenes, headshots, research, reading and listening to countless heart-breaking stories of disappointment and triumph, asking millions of questions, little sleep, deficient social life and more.
As challenging as this has been, it has been carried out with immense love and desire.
So...during the past four weeks, I launched my website, signed with an agent and just booked a role in the Netflix movie, Demon House, as a doctor, directed by Lee Daniels. A second role as the demon is still pending.
Happy...but I'm staying hungry. That's why I'm here at Stage 32 to unearth the jewels of this artistic industry, learn more, refuel, enjoy the work of others and be fed inspiration.
I would love to hear about your accomplishments, what you've learned from moments of disappointment, how you get up when knocked down.
What you share will be consumed with gratitude!
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As an actor for 20+ years, the biggest lesson I learned is that work does NOT necessarily beget work, as some would claim. Being professional, knowing the business, and having mastered your craft WILL translate to more opportunities, for sure, but COUNTLESS times I've watched others and myself hit that stretch where one booking seems to parlay into the next and the next and the next and the...
NOTHING. For weeks. For months. Sometimes for years. Literally no bookings whatsoever. And absolutely nothing went wrong. It's just the vicissitudes of this crazy industry.
For instance, last year was going pretty well. Booked The Walking Dead at the beginning of the year, then produced my own pilot in June, then the fall came and I booked 4 major projects back-to-back (I even booked one from a hotel self-tape while I was on location for another). It was fantastic!
240 days later (that's 8 months) I've had no bookings. TONS of auditions, a lot of avail checks, first refusals, and pins, but no bookings.
But I'm ok. I know I'll be ok. Tending to a garden takes a lot of patience. No one frantically gardens. So I've learned to just be grateful during this drought for all that I have, and trust that I'm planting seeds that will bear fruit at some point.
But that's still THE HARDEST lesson that I and every other actor has to keep re-learning. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
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I think that for your first 18 months in the business, you have done very well and I'm hoping that it keeps up for you.
Hey Sheldon! You're doing great. Keep building the momentum, and sharing all that you are doing with pride. It's a rollercoaster, but it's a marathon and you never know what connection you'll make along the way that will mean something to you down the road, even years later. I played Tom Hanks daughter in Captain Phillips, the family scenes were cut out, but it was the best experience so far and led me down a path that I love! Stay in touch, always happy to help! Cheers, GiGi