You’ve probably heard this saying before: “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Attributed to the Ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, who was a major influential force in the school of Stoicism, the quote is one of his most famous and insightful. It’s simple, but it also reveals the hidden truth lurking underneath most instances of “luck”—namely, that many people who are seen as lucky have actually been preparing themselves for when the right opportunity comes along. Or as the kids these days say: “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready” (which is a play on a line from the rapper Suga Free).
But what does all of this mean for you, an actor? Well, read on and we’ll give you the perspective you so crave. This way you, too, can be ready to strike when the proverbial iron is hot.
The work of an actor requires a near-constant dedication to—and the motivation to follow through on—one’s self-betterment and education. But it can be hard to find the time to do that when you’re busy auditioning, working odd jobs to make money, and attempting to have a social life. It’s also a career filled with moments of feast or famine that can make even the most successful among us panic. Instead of looking at the periods of time when work is slow as a terror to be avoided, why not consider them your days of professional development?
To think of the Seneca quote in another way: To meet an opportunity when it arrives, one must be prepared. But how do you prepare for the unknowable as an actor, when you never know what the next potential role could be? Well, you do the work.
- Read scripts for your favorite films and TV series, analyzing the choices and interpretations that made it to screen.
- Watch as many of the great movies, TV shows, and plays you can find.
- Learn how to do a new accent, whether it’s a regional dialect like New Jersey or a foreign import like German.
- Take an acting class to learn a new part of the craft, sharpen a skill, or meet fellow performers.
- Clear up your speaking voice with enunciation and diction exercises.
- Improve your singing voice, dance moves, or anything else that will make for a more marketable “special skills” section on your résumé.
- Sit down and brainstorm S.M.A.R.T. goals that will get you to where you want to be.
- Fine tune your self-tape setup, and record practice sessions to get more comfortable auditioning on camera.
- Learn a new monologue.
- Read books and listen to podcasts that focus on craft and industry advice. (Backstage’s “In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast” is a great place to start!)
- Learn the ins and outs of the audition process, and study the latest advice on standing out in the room.
- Create your own material by writing a script or shooting a short film.
- Perform acting exercises you can do at home alone or with a partner.
- Above all, prioritize self-care. A healthy relationship with the work is the only way to keep moving forward.
Working on these things isn’t self-indulgent—it’s the preparation that Seneca speaks about. These activities are necessary for professional success. But don’t fall into the trap of hiding away while working on yourself. There are simple ways to ensure you’re still in the right spaces for opportunity to come knocking.
- Keep your headshots up to date.
- Make sure your demo reel showcases your best and most recent work.
- Cultivate a social media presence that shows off your skills and allows you to interact with like-minded creatives.
- Keep auditioning, even if it’s for an entry-level gig. Every role is an opportunity to learn and feel more comfortable as a working actor.
- Network with actors and other professionals at workshops, industry events, and film festivals.
- Reach out to agents to land representation or to set up a general meeting for advice.
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If you look to Seneca’s quote for inspiration, it will reframe low moments as advantages. This can make all the difference when it comes to feeling lucky in one’s career, giving you the mental and emotional buoyancy you need to survive in such a tempestuous industry.
If you’ll allow for a farming metaphor for a moment: At the time of writing, the entertainment industry is experiencing a bit of a fallow period. In more literal terms, to fallow a field means to go without sowing seeds for one or more growing cycles in order to re-enrich the soil in which plants grow. The technique allows for the land to recover from being used, allowing the area to build up its organic matter and moisture content so it’s ready when the next growing season comes along.
Should Actors Have a Career Plan? The Pros + Cons of Planning It All Out See why it’s such a perfect metaphor? There are advancements happening below the surface that will only pay back the farmers tenfold later on, even if the outside world can’t really see it. And to bring it back to acting: Your own fallow period is exactly when you should tend to the skills that enhance your craft. In doing so, you’re slowly and readily preparing to reap a beautiful, bountiful career harvest, when the time comes.
Sometimes, this may not look like success as we traditionally see it (e.g., booking roles and going on auditions). Some may see this as a flop era of sorts, but there’s always opportunity to be had here. It’s all about your mindset and how you frame moments of stillness—they’re not just a time to panic and worry about whether or not your career is finished. They’re times for you to refill your creative tank, so to speak.
When opportunity arrives, all your preparation might make it feel like you merely had a lucky break. But luck was never really a part of it, because you were training for these moments in all the ways you were enriching yourself and your craft. Take advantage of these opportune moments. You never know which one will be the one that gives you the edge you need to level up your career. So, go forth and get lucky.
