Overcoming Actor Insecurity

I strongly believe there’s a primary event aka "trigger" feeding your insecurity as an actor.

In this video, I’ll teach you how to:

*Define the insecurity
*Identify the trigger 
*Address the issue directly 

Plus I'll share my insecurity as an example to help you better identify yours. They might even be the same!

video outline posted below

DEFINE THE INSECURITY

My story is that I started getting nervous about getting older. I thought it would hurt my chances of booking the roles that I want. I have a clearly defined vision of what those roles look like--supporting action roles since I have the special skills to back them (i.e. handguns and kickboxing).

But I had to specifically define and admit what that insecurity was, even if I didn't want to because I knew saying it out loud would sound silly. Sit and think about what's causing a knot in your stomach. Finish this sentence: "I get a knot in my stomach concerning my acting career when I think about _____________."

What is it that's making you as an actor feel overwhelmed and panicked? Those feelings are very different than necessity and urgency that make you act on an opportunity that will move you forward.

Be on the lookout for:

• Panic
• Negative self-talk
• Doubt
• Worry

IDENTIFY THE TRIGGER

Now let's address why this specific issue has presented itself in your life. 

Growing up I read teen magazines like Seventeen or Teen Vogue. They would typically have articles on rising or breakout stars. For whatever reason, I always remembered those actors being 24 years old.

I don't know why. I don't even know if that's true or if that's just the number that got stuck in my head, but it solidified this idea that I had to have my breakout role by the time I was 24 or it was game over.

So now ask yourself, "What moment made me start thinking this?"

Here are a few prompts. Was it:

• an article you read?
• something someone said to you?
• a video you watched?
• an interview you heard?

What made you think, "This must be true for me to be a successful actor!"?

ADDRESS THE ISSUE DIRECTLY

Now I want you to start looking for actors whose careers negate that trigger or idea. 

For me that meant looking for women that were older than 24 that booked action roles. Um, helloooo Helen Mirren in RED! And basically all of the Amazon women in the new Wonder Woman and Justice League releases.

TAKE ACTION

Next time we’ll discuss the term “making it,” why it’s killing us actors, and what to do about it. 

​Come join us in the Actor Boss group to share your story about actor insecurity and hang out in our actor community. We just launched the first actor challenge.

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