Over the years, I’ve provided you with a wide range of information on how to make the most of your acting career. This advice has focused on both the creative and professional aspects of the business. But this week, I’m going to address a different issue, one that could affect you on every level of your being.
Vampires have been part of the entertainment industry since the early days of cinema. They survive by hiding in the shadows, keeping their true nature a secret. If you encounter one, you won’t realize you’re dealing with pure evil until your life force has been sucked dry.
You get that I’m not talking about movie monsters like Dracula and Edward Cullen, right? Those are fictional. They don’t exist. I’m talking about real-life energy vampires!
Those damn things are everywhere. I see them all the time. Over the years, I’ve learned how to avoid their gaze and keep myself safe. Now, I want you to learn the same skill.
Step 1: Recognition. You can’t avoid energy vampires if you don’t see them coming. The tough part is they look just like you and me—normal. But it’s their behavior that gives them away.
For example, do you have any actor friends who are only happy if you’re failing? I’m sure you know the type. When your career is in a bad place, they almost seem pleased to be around you. But when you catch a break, they’re nowhere to be found, unless they want something from you.
That’s an energy vampire!
READ: How To Handle Jealousy and Negativity
Another variation is the actor friend who’s always complaining about the industry. Every word out of his mouth is negative. You could be in a great mood when you come across this person, but moments later you feel like you’re three steps away from suicide. Why? Because that’s what these monsters do. They suck the vigor right out of you!
These nasty creatures sometimes wear the mask of an acting teacher. Just last week, I sat in on a class to watch one of my clients work and I was appalled by what I saw. The teacher was setting the students against each other! She kept comparing them in an unfair manner, draining their spirit in a malicious torrent of manipulation. So I jumped to my feet and screamed, “Vampire!” The teacher heard my righteous fury and realized she was dealing with a real Hollywood agent. Outmatched, she hissed and ran out of the building.
Now that you know how to spot these foul creatures, we can move on to the next step: Elimination. No, I don’t want you to kill anyone with a wooden stake. That’s illegal in most states, and you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison. But I do want you to cut these monsters loose. Replace them with supportive friends and caring teachers. That’s the only way to protect yourself from all that negative energy.
The last step is: Don’t become one. It’s easy to turn ugly in this business, but you must not allow yourself to become one of these things. You’ll just be hurting yourself and the ones around you. So stay focused, remain positive, and keep your energy pure. (If necessary, take a garlic bath. Those seem to help.)
Stay focused and go out for the roles you want with Backstage’s Los Angeles audition listings!
