When I first started auditioning, I remember I would walk in and I’d think “omg how am I ever going to get this? all the other actresses reading for it are so f&^%ing beautiful! How will I ever get something?”
This was LA in the 80’s, and I don’t think anyone would tell you it’s different today.
When you first start going out, you feel like you are up against every beautiful person in the world. And LA, well it seems that every beautiful person in the world must head there. There’s just beautiful person after beautiful person … endlessly.
But, if you really love acting you act because it’s in your blood.
If your heart has always been there, and you find your joy in it.
If you study acting because you want to – you find doing a part in a play just as satisfying as a role in a major film.
If this is you, you will start getting those parts. And as those parts start getting bigger, the people around you change. Eventually those lines of beautiful people start to disappear. You no longer feel like you are in a Miss America pageant. The people start to get more interesting.The conversations get more interesting. You start being surrounded by people who love doing what you love to do … for the same reason as you.
If you love acting, the competition isn’t what you think it is. It’s true, it is hard to break in. But it’s also true that you can do it. If you have a love for acting and a strong will, you can make it through that intimidating facade. To me, there is no doubt about that.
I want to reach out to you actors out there. If you are at all intimidated by the apparent narcissism in this industry – don’t be. You can break through that. You can succeed at what you love if you really love it.
-Michelle
(actorium)