5 Things Actors Should Do Every Day to Succeed
The job of an actor is not easy. It takes a lot of consistent hard work to build a successful career in the entertainment industry. Actors must continually invest in their skills and build their reputations in order to craft a long-lasting impression that provides them with sustainable work; and these investments come in the form of long-term habits. The key to success and growth in any field comes from consistency, resilience, and tenacity.
Here are five habits that actors can put into practice every day to keep their skills sharp and their careers on track.
1) Exercise
Acting is a demanding field and requires more than just a sharp mind. Your physical health weighs on your acting ability and the energy you can bring to a role or the audition room. Frequent physical activity in any form (going for a walk, working out at the gym, dancing, etc.) aids in mental health, strength, stamina, and much more.
2) Keep up to date with online resources
There are countless online resources for actors – websites like Backstage hold a plethora of valuable information. Casting calls, advice from veterans in the industry, and general tips and tricks can all be found online. Actors who don’t take advantage of these free resources will be losing a competitive edge, as well as many opportunities for networking and growth.
3) Memorize something new
Showbusiness can be fickle. You might be going weeks or months without an audition or job. When stuck in limbo like this, your skills can wane and become stale. Don’t let this happen! It is an actor’s responsibility to train and keep themselves sharp if they want to succeed and catch the eye of industry professionals. Find a script or monologue online and practice as often as you can. If possible, meet up with other young actors and perform these lines together.
4) Watch a film or read
In any creative field, it is vital to ‘fill the well’, so to speak. Brushing up on what’s popular in the industry at any current moment is a prudent course of action, not only because it will help familiarize you with who’s who at the moment, but because you can watch the pros in practice. In lieu of acting classes – which you should also invest in – consuming the material you want to produce will make you a better actor.
5) Check in with friends and family
Having a support system is essential to any successful actor. Under the many stresses of the industry, it can be easy to become withdrawn and consumed by all the expectations. For this reason, it is especially important that young actors keep their parents or guardians in the loop. They can provide comfort in times of upheaval, as well as valuable insights. Having a social life alongside the career- and education-oriented sides of your life will create balance.
As a young actor, you may have a lot of off days, especially with the added responsibility of schoolwork thrown in. Because you aren’t spending the majority of your time at auditions or jobs, you need to balance this with practice to keep your skills sharp and ready when opportunities do come along.
Do you have any helpful habits that improve your acting? Let us know!