A funny thing happened on the way to writing this month’s article. Originally I had planned to write about my “money jobs.” I wanted to provide a sneak peak into the world of an actress trying to “make it” out here in Hollywood. A realistic view if you will of what it takes to make it all happen…and Boom! out of the blue I very unexpectedly booked my first acting gig. Wow! Thank you universe!!! And only 8 weeks after arriving here. Now that’s what I’m talking about!!
And for those of you who do not know what a “money job” is…it’s a job or jobs that provides an actor enough money to keep the bills paid yet flexible enough to allow for last minute auditions and bookings without jeopardizing that (those) money job(s). Having a money job(s) is critically important if one expects to experience longevity in this industry.
Ok back to the details…but first a little back drop. Over my many decades on this earth I have read countless books on goal setting, business success, self-help etc and the one thing that has stayed with me over the years is that visualizing a goal is so crucial to having that goal become a reality. And visualizing it not only once but over and over and over again to where it becomes like a broken record in your brain. I personally liken it to seeing a snippet of a movie being played in your mind a hundred times over; day in and day out. So much so that it becomes emblazoned in your brain to the point that you begin taking action in your real world life without you even realizing it that moves you closer and closer towards that goal. In one of my more recent videos on my YouTube channel I talk about this very thing, visualization. See that video HERE.
Ok so now back to how I booked my very first acting job. Upon arriving here I did not have an agent, wasn’t in the union, no recent head shot, basically I had nothing. And I wasn’t ready for an agent or new head shots. In reality I was no where near ready. I had gained about 5-7 lbs during my move out here that needed to come off, my hair needed to be cut and styled as now most of my silver had grown back in but now had these lovely light brown ends that well, were simply ridiculous looking etc so I was far from ready BUT I WANTED TO WORK! I wanted to feel like I was making progress. So what to do, what to do???
We interrupt this regularly scheduled program to bring you some breaking news:
I can hardly believe it but as I sit here writing this article I get a call…yes I am booked on yet another hit TV show 2 days from today with the fitting tomorrow. Pinch me please.
Wow! This IS somewhat surreal….gulp….anyway back to how I booked my first acting job. So as I had mentioned when I arrived here 8 weeks ago I wanted to feel like I was working towards my goal even though I really was not ready to be seen so what I decided to do was sign up with THE biggest background casting company on both coasts and at least I could start working at something. I needed to feel like I was moving forward. So off I go to registration and just like that I get booked on my very first acting gig on a hit TV show. And not just any hit TV show mind you but a show that has several Golden Globe wins attached to it along with 50+ more wins of other awards. This tells me I am doing what I am suppose to be doing.
In closing I cannot stress how important it is to keep your goals in focus. To really see them play out in your mind. Write them down, set alerts on your phone…basically do whatever it is you have to do to keep them alive and front and center in your brain and you’ll find things start to fall into place. Put your blinders on, your laser focus centered on your goal and make it happen!
Til next time…Victoria xox