Actors, Here's What We Do Now: A Warning and a Solution
It seems like only yesterday, during my quarterly talks at SAG/AFTRA and in my weekly classes, that I was warning of the dangerous content bubble our industry has created.
It has been well documented that Netflix is drowning in debt, and with increased competition from Apple, Disney, CBS, and countless content providers and creators, they all find themselves particularly vulnerable.
And, I don’t know if you’re paying attention, but there’s certainly been a lack in quality content. Let’s face it, you can’t write/produce/direct/act that much content at the rate they’re producing it and expect it to be good.
What’s the old adage? Good/Fast/Cheap…you get to pick two. Well with spending at close to 15 billion dollars for original content at Netflix, we know it ain’t cheap, and having coached several shows, trust me, the shooting schedule ain’t slow….
But, for better or worse…there has still been a lot of work.
I have, for over a year, reminded actors that there is more opportunity than ever before and it’s time to build your resume, your bank account, and your work.
General business wisdom teaches that in times of great economic growth, one should book as much work as they can to prepare for the inevitable downturn. Recession proofing your business happens when things are growing. When they turn, and they always do, it’s too late to recession proof.
Well, guess what, it’s beginning to look like opportunity has chased us to the edge of an economic cliff and the only way out is to jump.
And while subscription services may see a minor bump in number of subscriptions during the quarantine, it’s highly doubtful investors will be hungry to invest after we emerge from lock down. As the economic tide falls, all the boast go with it.
Things are about to get tough. Agents will drop clients, actors will quit, and the industry will retract.
What you do in this time will determine your staying power in this industry and art form.
Here’s What We Do Now: Don’t stop doing what you do, just focus on doing it better.
In times of economic down turn, it’s important to pursue new skill development and current skill refinement.
Train, develop a new practice, take a new class, read more plays, study more films. This is the time to get better at what you do, to become the actor you know you need to become, and to elevate your work to the next level.
But, I know its not so simple…
Today, many actors are losing income, struggling to pay for rent, and food, and toilet paper. They’ve stopped focusing on what they came here to do and have gone into pure survival mode.
The idea of continued training seems so out of reach, they’ve stopped dreaming, stopped trying, and are hiding.
I understand. Please take care of yourself. Get your financial house in order, make strict priorities with budget and stick to it.
Move more slowly, but just keep moving.
And, please do not give up. Do not ever give up.
You must remain in practice. Now is the time to refine your artistry, sharpen your talent, and solidify your career strategies.
Now is the time to prepare for growth, assume possibilities, and create opportunities.
This is no small order, but you’re not alone.
We’re in this together and here’s how we’re going to help:
For years, I have felt a personal calling on my life. I’ve told a few trusted people about this, but let me assure you that I have never considered my work as a “side job”. For over 20 years I have taught and coached in universities, studios, on sets, and have been running my own studio, Crash Acting, for over 10 years. I’ve also spent years working at the highest levels of film finance, and have created a world wide Free Listening movement. I love what I do, I love who I do it with, and I love people. A lot.
So, within the next week, Crash Acting will be announcing (via email, social media, and video) a new pricing structure for our ongoing classes, and a new schedule of hyper-affordable and free online classes to make sure you can remain in practice.
To start, our ongoing class has been reduced to $100 a month. To apply for the ongoing course, click here.
We’ve already hosted a free YOU THE CAREER Happy Hour, and are about to finish our 4 week, YOU THE CAREER workshop. But, don’t worry, there will be more!
The world needs more actors, more story tellers, more artists. The world needs more dreamers, more expression, more beauty.
The world needs what you’ve been put here to say.
Our job is to prepare you; your job is to show up and keep going.
Practice now.
Practice well.
And when we come out of this, you will be more ready than ever.
How are you doing? Seriously, how are you dealing with what’s happening today? If you feel comfortable, share in the comments and we’ll respond. It might make us all feel better to know we’re not alone.