If You Dare to Be Great, You Have to ‘Dare to Suck’

The following Notes From the Field essay is written by actor Zane Holtz, who can currently be seen on Netflix’s “From Dusk Till Dawn” and in feature films “Hunter Killer” opposite Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman, and Toby Stephens.

I have been tasked with writing a letter to my younger self on how to make a living as an actor. My immediate reaction is to advise against pursuing a career that has an extremely low percentage of success and a very high percentage of unemployment. That being said, actors and artists in general have to follow their passions, and if I were to deny my younger self that path, I would be suggesting so out of fear.

Forget fear.

I love to act, and I wouldn’t change my journey. When I first started the grind of being a working actor, I accepted some jobs out of financial necessity and not based on the quality of the work—that is OK! Often, we find ourselves judging material and judging ourselves for taking work—that is not OK. We work in an industry that is by its very nature subject to outside criticism and evaluation. The last thing that working actors need to do is jump on that bandwagon and judge themselves. Don’t be afraid to work, and don’t be afraid to suck! Every job is an opportunity to work, and it’s also one to learn and evolve. You never know if that two-episode arch or a young adult sports drama is going to turn into two years of steady employment. You also can’t predict that that job might put you on the radar of a director who casts you in a feature film that gives you credibility in the indie film space. You never know if that same casting director is going to put you in front of a filmmaker who let’s you really grow and co-lead a television series. Without risk, there is no reward.

I often compare my path as an actor to my growth as a martial artist. I have studied various styles since childhood but have been hooked on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2004. I have trained hard, studied excessively, and dared to be beaten. The same concepts can be applied to acting! You can spend years studying technique and talking about concepts, but you will never reach your full potential if you aren’t willing to step into the ring and truly test yourself. Do not wait for that perfect match. Do not wait for that perfect job. I have lost Jiu Jitsu matches before I ever stepped on the mat because I was afraid to lose. Don’t be afraid to lose in acting! The truth is it is impossible to win or lose in a performance or audition. You either kill it and get the job or learn how to grow for the next one. If you find the ability to grow and learn in the moment, that is all you can ask for.

I look at where I am today as an actor, and a lot of my success comes from my willingness to take a risk. Don’t judge the work. Don’t judge yourself. It is perfectly acceptable for a job to be a source of income and practical training simultaneously!

As working actors, very few of us have total control over what job offers we can select from. But as human beings, we have the ability to choose what we do with these opportunities. This career is messy, rewarding, difficult, and the ultimate high all at the same time. Love it. Embrace it. If you choose to dare to be great, you have to look your fear in the eye and dare to suck.