We hear the stories all the time -- what one person went through or did prior to making it big. Drew Carey was working at Denny’s. Edward Burns was living out of his car. Academy Award winning screenwriter Paul Haggis wrote for Saturday morning cartoons. Everyone, unless you already have great contacts, has to pay their dues. it is a business, after all.
You will always begin at the bottom of the food chain in the beginning. Even wannabe talent agents have to start out in the mailroom, regardless of their college or law degree.
Regardless of where you start out, it’s a start. You have to be professional in order for others in the business to take you seriously. A young George Clooney wanted to be an actor and took roles that let him work on his craft. People didn’t take his work as serious acting, but it was a job. Now, Oscar winner George Clooney can look back at “Attack of the KIller Tomatoes” and his 44 failed television pilots with a smile.
This is all part of paying your dues. I think no matter how small the role the actor has, it’s a job. No matter how horrible the story idea, for a staff writer, it’s a job. The best thing to do is stay positive, stay professional. Be happy you have an opportunity to show your talent. Others are waiting for you to fail so they can take your place. The fruits of your hard work, skill, and determination will pay off.
In a conversation with our producer, Suzy, had with my 10 year old daughter, Suzy jokingly stated she had only one line in the scene. My daughter’s reply was simple yet to the point, “It’s better than no lines”. Wisdom can come from unexpected sources.
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