Young Actors

[The_Impeccable_G]

I am seeing three young actors. They are good-looking, nice, clever, educated, polished, cultured and the list can go on and on. They are struggling with their careers, they play in small theatres, in experimental productions, short films you get the picture. They are also struggling with their finances, even the one who comes from a wealthy family. They paid for acting school by escorting and sponsors, including yours truly. They are in their mid 20s and have been trying to get their careers off the ground for 5 or more years with little to no success. But they do not give up, they keep on tying, without a thought of making a career change while they can. I admire them for their courage and determination although I am concerned on their future. I am tempted to give parental advise, be the voice of reason but I shut up. I don't like to play daddy (no pun intended) and I am not sure what to advise either - success may be round the corner.

 

I am sure that many others in the forum had similar experiences and thoughts to share.

[MscleLovr]

In the past, I dated some young actors/models/personal trainers aka wannabes. I think the present environment must be disheartening for them.

 

Like you @The_Impeccable_G I restrained myself from giving advice. My advice might have been useful to them but I was pretty sure that they did not want to hear any contrary opinion about their chosen career path.

 

They certainly valued my dinner invitations and weekend outings. As an older man, I knew I always had to pay for them. But they were appreciative over time.

[maninsoma]

I think most people don't want unsolicited advice on their careers, particularly not from people outside the field they have chosen to pursue, so you are wise not to offer advice.

 

There are so many people competing for the same jobs that struggling actors and models want that most of them will unfortunately not succeed beyond a very minor level. About 20 years ago I worked with a young, handsome man who moved to Los Angeles because he was convinced he could "make it" as an actor. So far he has managed some background roles and a few small speaking parts in shows, but he hasn't reached anywhere near the level of success he hoped for or that would actually pay someone's bills.

Edited August 1, 2020 by maninsoma

[The_Impeccable_G]

One of them was telling me, laughing in self sarcasm, that the covid check was more than what acting pays him.

[+ sync]

My only input would be to suggest ultra-discreetness. Should success happen down the road, it could be marred by past "employment" revelations.

[+ bigjoey]

I’ve had a few such relationships. You just need to let them come to the realization on their own that they need to move on. They need to follow their dream.

[orville]

If these made it; your young, good-looking, nice, clever, educated, polished, cultured friends might have good chances.

 

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Younger generations are used to immediacy, so perhaps 5 years is too soon to reach the pinnacle in any professional career?

Perhaps they can find a regular job, get a better agent, and at the same time be on the lookout of good acting opportunities?

[AceHardware]

Plenty of stories on either side. I've had a number of friends whose kids went to Hollywood to become actors, writers, and directors, hoping to start low and work their way up: gave up after years.

 

Then I read stories of people who made it: Sawyer on Lost said he'd given up acting to go into real estate, then he got the part. Annie Murphy almost quit acting before getting her part on Schitt's Creek. I think it's like the lottery: there are just enough winners to make people stay in the game despite the odds. The actors you know have to figure out themselves how long they're willing to gamble.

[+ E.T.Bass]

If someone is paying their rent, is that allowing them to remain stuck?

 

There are a lot of talented folk that are working actors. They have a job.

 

Buddy of mine does Improv, but he does I.T. to make ends meet.

[The_Impeccable_G]

I think most people don't want unsolicited advice on their careers, particularly not from people outside the field they have chosen to pursue, so you are wise not to offer advice.

Plus I do not want to give advice. These are life decisions. Too much responsibility.

[The_Impeccable_G]

My only input would be to suggest ultra-discreetness. Should success happen down the road, it could be marred by past "employment" revelations.

Correct. One of them had a profile in Hunqz years ago for a few months (this is how I met him) and then deleted it. The others never advertised. Actually I remember in one of the very first chats I had with one of them, he was concerned that I will talk about him. To calm him down I sent him my LinkedIn profile and said I have more to lose. Not true but it worked

[Ajac]

Acting is a profession that you can't enter into because you expect to make a living. It is a profession you enter into because you are driven by a passion for the craft. There have been many beautiful young actors and actresses that have achieved success then quickly fade into obscurity. I acted a bit in high school often told how good I was but I knew I couldn't deal with rejection on a regular basis (more Buscemi than Effron ). Luckily I had other talents that have afforded me a decent middle class existence. Success in the industry is so often luck of the draw. making the right connections or sucking off the Weinstiens of the world. For every big name there are stories of barely scraping by. Pre pandemic there was such a glut of TV and movies being produced I remember thinking if you can't get a speaking roll in something you may as well pack it in because you must not be any good. Post covid when everyone has watched everything on Netflix, Prime, Hulu etc there will be tons of productions opening back up. Maybe your boys luck will change. Best not kill their dreams with advice who knows they may make it after all.

[The_Impeccable_G]

Acting is a profession that you can't enter into because you expect to make a living. It is a profession you enter into because you are driven by a passion for the craft.... ....Maybe your boys luck will change. Best not kill their dreams with advice who knows they may make it after all.

My thoughts exactly. I admire them for their passion, focus and determination.

[+ PapaTony]

Isn’t this a younger Justin Hartley from “This is Us”?

https://www.xvideos.com/video6827281/how_to_seduce_a_straight_jock

 

today:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Hartley
 

[+ poolboy48220]

21 hours ago, PapaTony said:

Isn’t this a younger Justin Hartley from “This is Us”?

https://www.xvideos.com/video6827281/how_to_seduce_a_straight_jock

 

today:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Hartley
 

it is!

[Winky]

A few thoughts from inside the business:

It takes a lot of belief in yourself to survive the casting calls for both actors and models. You're judged, at first, purely on your looks, nothing deeper, more profound or personal than that. If you actually get to "act," that may change, but you'll still suffer a high percentage of rejections based on the most superficial aspects of who you are.

Acting is not a natural talent, not even for those who are considered to be "naturals." Training - voice, movement - will prove out in the end.

Getting work as an "extra" is not a great route to acting. The "background" world is so isolated from what's happening on set that you won't even learn that much about how production works. Most extras have no interest in the process or product - they're just doing a day job that offers some scheduling flexibility, better pay and benefits than Starbucks, but also a lot of competition. Maybe in LA, Atlanta and Vancouver there's enough work to pay the rent, but, again, it depends on your look!

Most of all, however long someone is willing to pursue this dream, it's essential to have and develop another set of employable skills, whether through education or craft, side jobs or hobbies. By far, the large majority of prospective actors realize that they won't be stars and can't make a living (don't quote me on this, but I believe the statistic is around 90% of SAG members, already a successful milestone, earn at or below the poverty level, and most don't work enough to maintain healthcare eligibility.) You don't want, at age 35 or 40, to embark on a new career with little or no experience, education or skills to offer.

[+ WilliamM]

There are performers who actually are naturals.  Broadway Star Ethel Merman for example.  She never had a voice, acting or dance lesson.

Supposedly George Gershwin told Ethel to never take a singing lessons. 

[jeezifonly]

On 6/29/2021 at 11:56 AM, WilliamM said:

There are performers who actually are naturals.  Broadway Star Ethel Merman for example.  She never had a voice, acting or dance lesson.

Supposedly George Gershwin told Ethel to never take a singing lessons. 

The triumph of will over technique, sincerity and taste. 
Never will there be a shortage a success stories which prove that axiom 

[+ WilliamM]

5 minutes ago, jeezifonly said:

The triumph of will over technique, sincerity and taste. 
Never will there be a shortage a success stories which prove that axiom 

Did you ever Ethel Merman in a Broadway show?

[jeezifonly]

I gather you meant to include “see” 

And no, but funny you should ask, because it’s on my list of things to do when planning time-traveling. I would want to see the opening nights of Anything Goes and Gypsy, just to witness her at her best.
As an actress, her inclination on film always seemed to be “let ‘em see ya from the back fuckin’ row!”

I would like to see that applied in its appropriate setting. 

[+ WilliamM]

2 minutes ago, jeezifonly said:

I gather you meant to include “see” 

And no, but funny you should ask, because it’s on my list of things to do when planning time-traveling. I would want to see the opening nights of Anything Goes and Gypsy, just to witness her at her best.
As an actress, her inclination on film always seemed to be “let ‘em see ya from the back fuckin’ row!”

I would like to see that applied in its appropriate setting. 

I saw Merman in Gypsy with my parents when in my tens. She used personally, clarify, projection and individuality to her advantage.

No she didn't have a great voice, but neither did Robert Preston, Mary Martin or Yul Brynner

[jeezifonly]

17 minutes ago, WilliamM said:

I saw Merman in Gypsy with my parents when in my tens. She used personally, clarify, projection and individuality to her advantage.

No she didn't have a great voice, but neither did Robert Preston, Mary Martin or Yul Brynner

I was far away from NY when these Titans ruled the Rialto and too young (even as old as I am) to have appreciated much more than an orange-ade at intermission. Gotta talk to my time travel-agent to include South Pacific and King and I.

[+ sync]

On 6/29/2021 at 2:56 PM, WilliamM said:

There are performers who actually are naturals.  Broadway Star Ethel Merman for example.  She never had a voice, acting or dance lesson.

Supposedly George Gershwin told Ethel to never take a singing lessons. 

A voice teacher once told me that, while the singing of Ethel Merman may not be everyone's taste, her vocal production technique was flawless.

[+ WilliamM]

17 hours ago, jeezifonly said:

I was far away from NY when these Titans ruled the Rialto and too young (even as old as I am) to have appreciated much more than an orange-ade at intermission. Gotta talk to my time travel-agent to include South Pacific and King and I.

Or The Sound of Music

[jeezifonly]

9 minutes ago, WilliamM said:

Or The Sound of Music

Of course. For Patricia Neway as Abbess.