We reached out to some of our Experts and asked them what resolutions they’d like to see actors make in 2015. Here are some of their replies.
Resolve to work hard.
“This is the year that my work ethic will be unassailable. No one is going to work harder than me to book any job or prepare for any audition.” —Shaan Sharma, Los Angeles–based session director–actor
Resolve to be confident.
in yourself. “Find your own uniqueness and authenticity and honor that. Instead of comparing and despairing, believe that there is no one like you. Trust yourself, let go of the outcome, and enjoy the process!” —Denise Simon, New York–based acting coach
Resolve to be more selective.
“Be more selective with what you audition for. Does the work align with your brand, skills, and schedule? Evaluating opportunities in this way helps determine whether or not you are a good fit for a particular role, and if you should invest time auditioning for a given job.” —Stephanie Ciccarelli, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Voices.com
Resolve to empower yourself.
“Bring what only you can to your auditions. If anyone tries to diminish you, stand up for yourself. Work to be better than ‘good’ and invest in what it takes to be the best.” —Sara Mornell, Los Angeles–based coach and actor
Resolve to celebrate your wins and losses.
“Take your career into your own hands and stop waiting for permission. Take each opportunity as a chance to launch your career and reach your Oscar potential. Count each and every person you meet, audition you get, and page you write as an enormous win for your career, and celebrate all of your successes—especially the small ones. Take the biggest risks you’ve ever taken and embrace each failure as a learning experience and a springboard to your next big risk-taking adventure.” —Joseph Pearlman, on-set acting coach and founder of Pearlman Acting Academy
Resolve to make it your year.
“It can only be ‘your year’ if you show up for it, so make this the year you refuse to settle for second best from yourself. Push yourself to dig deeper and deeper until you find the truest, fiercest, and most beautiful representation of you to offer the world and to bring to your work.” —Craig Wallace, acting teacher
Resolve not to gossip.
“Ever heard of six degrees of separation? The theory that we’re all connected by six (or less) degrees to anyone on the planet? To protect yourself in this small industry, don’t say anything about a person that you wouldn’t say to them. Share the love, though, and watch it come back around.” —Paul Barry, Los Angeles–based acting teacher
Resolve to do the work for its own sake.
“Doing the work of falling in love with acting is the best thing you can do for your career and makes the business take notice.” —Casting director Risa Bramon Garcia, and Steve Braun, founders of the BGB Studio
Like this advice? Check out more from our Backstage Experts!