I'd Better Get to Livin'

As I sit to write this post, I realize that it is the first time I've really written anything for awhile. Re-approaching the keyboard to write something feels familiar and new all at once. I feel like a composer ready to write a song, but I'm not quite sure yet what the melody will be. Here goes...

It's a wierd time to be an actor. The writer's strike is still going, so production of most scripted television and virtually all studio movies is indefinitely on hold. In a time when I'd like to feel some momentum career-wise, all is quiet. It feels a like I'm on the 5 during rush hour, but there are no other cars on the highway. This is the season when I'm not working a day job so that I can make a "big push" for my career, devoting all my time and energy to finding acting work.

Needless to say, I'm feeling a little bit useless. I started feeling a little depressed on Monday with the realization that the holidays are officially over. It's time to be "out there finding work". *crickets*

I suppose that there is an upside to all this, though, right? When things slow down in "the industry", it's a good time for me to look at myself and get my "stuff" in order so that when things pick up, I'll be ready and in a good place.

For the last few months, I've been thinking about what I can do to generate my own momentum (above and beyond the usual daily stuff of submitting myself for auditions online). I have heard and read about people who are creating their own videos (of the 3-5 minute variety) and putting them on YouTube where they have found audiences and interest in their work. All this has made me think that I would like to buy a video camera and make some videos of my own characters. I like this idea for a few reasons:

-Regardless of what happens, I will feel true meaning in my days because I'll be proactively doing something for my career. I will be working my craft--growing and creating and sharing my work with an audience.

-It will kick fear and feelings of uselessness in the butt. I think that so much of what holds me back is plain old fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of not being good enough. The usual suspects. Making my own videos and putting them "out there" will be an awesome way to be acting before the world that I'm dying to entertain. And the great thing about video blogging and posting videos on YouTube is the comments section that allows you to interface with your viewers. If the comments are critical, I'll be able to integrate that criticism into my craft and produce even better work. If the comments are positive, I will know that I'm on the right track and integrate the confirmation of the things I am doing right. Whatever happens, it is a way to stamp out fear, because at least I'll be doing something!

-In a best case scenario, I could be discovered. I have heard from and read industry sources that say that many agencies now have hired people whose sole purpose is to scour the internet for new talent. Making my own videos will be a way to put myself into the marketplace. It will be something to feel good about!

It sounds like a good plan. Now I have the big task of deciding what camera to buy. I'm not too well-versed in this. I don't want to buy a cheapy camcorder that will yield low production values, but I don't want to buy something so professional that I won't know how to work it. I'd like to buy a user-friendly professional-grade camera.

I'd like to give a special thank you to Mrs. G, who posted a Dolly Parton song on her blog today that reminded me that I'd "better get to livin'"!

I want to thank my readers who prayed with me during my month of prayer in December. It was a special thing to participate in with my blogging community, and anytime you ever have a prayer request, feel free to write it in my comments section, and I'll pray for you. This idea I have to move forward with producing my own videos is high on my prayer request list. I'd sincerely appreciate your prayers for God's guidance. Please also continue to pray for my Dad's healing from cancer. Thank you!