Don't Lead With Need

One of the most painful things to see is a desperate actor. They gather in audition waiting rooms across the world; huddled over their sides, mumbling their lines, faces contorted as they grasp for the air they are forgetting to inhale. They so intensely want to book that next gig they forget to enjoy acting. 

This "Homeless Actor" mentality has hit us all at one time or another. Most often it is early on in an actor's career. By about the time you have maybe your 20th IMDb credit or have shot your 10th new headshot, you pretty much know this piece of magic: You have very little control over what you book. You also have learned the other bit of magic: Desperate actors are not bookable. This last bit of wisdom was cleverly coined by casting director Bonnie Gillespie as "Don't lead with need". Casting directors, clients, even other actors can literally feel the desperation reeking from an actor that fears they will never again book a role. And these same casting directors will turn away from that desperation as fast as they can, even if just subconsciously. 

Think about a friend you know that is desperate for anything: a date, a drink, a diamond ring from their non-commital boyfriend... This friend that so badly wants (thinks they need) that FILL IN THE BLANK____________ can be an energy suck to all around. They are so "in their own world" they don't see the rest of the world rotating on. 

And what is an actor's job? To see (and react and be a part of) the world around them. Here in lies the problem with leading with need...

Trust. 

Trust that the gig that is yours, you will book. It will even say so on your check or on that 21st IMDb listing. 

Trust that you have done the work (And really do the work!).

Trust that there really is enough work for everyone. 

Trust that you are enough. Because you are.

~~Mercedes Rose

Photo courtesy of Nick Lyon

Comments

[Dominique Toney]

Love this!

[acting schools nyc]

To see (and react and be a part of) the world around them.

[Jennifer Miranda]

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[NewYorkGroove]

Great post. I also always think of an interview I read where a CD said, "We WANT you to be great." Actors get so terrified sometimes going into an audition. We have to remember that the casting people are not the enemy. They want to be dazzled by us!

[Pernisha]

Love Love Love it! :-)