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5 Goals that ALL Actors Should Add to Their List this January

5 Goals that ALL Actors Should Add to Their List this January

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I LOVE January.  I’ve always geeked out over goals, lists and vision boards.  I adore getting a new planner filled out with important dates and plans and I absolutely OBSESS over dreaming big and thinking about the future.

Whether or not you can relate, you can’t ignore January’s natural ability to make you think about your future and what it may hold for you.

Actors at all levels are currently making their dream lists for 2021.  Maybe you want to book your first co-star credit, land a national VO campaign, or find a new agent.  No matter what your specific goals are, here are a few goals that ALL actors can add to their list for 2021.

Find a new monologue or scene that not only represents your talent but you LOVE performing that character.  Find a story that you just LOVE telling.  Let it light your creative fire and inspire you!  Take notes on what about this character you love and see start exploring other opportunities you may see if the field to tell a similar story.

  1. Make a new contact in the field who is more successful than you are.  Learn from their example, advice and experiences.  Spend time with them.

  1. Take excellent notes on your audition data and regularly analyze what it tells you.  Be honest with yourself if your headshot isn’t opening doors, or if you audition material hasn’t gotten strong enough feedback.  Act on the info you learn.  Need help tracking your data?  We strongly suggest you check out uptodateactor.com.

  1. Find a new film director who speaks to you heart.  Follow them and their projects and learn about the other type of people they regularly work with.  These are people to WATCH because they may have other projects coming down the pipeline that you could be a fit for.

  1. Start a meditation practice.  Mindfulness benefits everyone no matter the career but I feel it deserves extra attention when it comes to acting careers.  Mental strength and peace are invaluable in this field and will help you perform well under pressure and stay focused when the road seems long.

Take this list and add to it!  Write down some individualized goals for your career, health, family– everything!  Research has shown that the simple act of WRITING DOWN YOUR GOALS helps you to be more likely to achieve them.  Take the time for YOU.  And if no one has told you yet— you DESERVE a wonderful 2021.

Photo Kindly by Isaac Smith

Three Sunday Prep Tips For a Great Monday

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Hey AC clients!  I know it’s hard to live a Sunday without thinking about Monday so I have some thoughts on what you can do today to help you more successfully attack the week ahead. 

1) Write out your schedule for the week.  Set aside blocks of time to check for auditions, research projects and build your own content on social media.  If you are working on a bigger project, like writing a screenplay or a series, make sure you schedule writing time in as well.  Hold yourself accountable to this schedule.  Schedule in social media and then keep it closed while you are getting your other tasks done.

2) Write a mantra for the week that will help you feel motivated and energized.  Make sure it is written in a positive form and read it to yourself at different points during the day.  Think of this as a quick tune-up to help you keep moving towards what matters and aware of all the little hidden opportunities you may have been missing before.

Here are some examples:
I am creatively and effectively accomplishing my goals all week long.
I am finding and taking abundant opportunities.
I’m constantly taking action for my career and celebrating my successes.

3) Imagine your week going by PERFECTLY.  What do you do?  Who do you see?  How do you feel?  What actions are you taking?  Go thru the who/what/where/when/how.  Imagine it all in your head like it’s the part of the movie where EVERYTHING is going right for the main character (YOU!).  Many Olympic Athletes practice positive visualization techniques during training and science tells us that firm visualizations in full detail on a constant basis DO IMPACT PERFORMANCE.  Are you visualizing your auditions yet?

-Colleen
Actors Connection President

How to Close Out 2018 and Jump-Start the New Year

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What should you REALLY be doing before 2018 is over?  We have a few thoughts… I love a good list, so here is my 2018 CLOSE OUT list for Actors– filled with my top suggestions on what you should be doing before the year is out.  These aren’t the only things– but this is enough to get you moving during an already busy holiday season.


2018 Close Out List

  • Order postcards for the new year– announce something!  A new gig, a new picture, a quote about your work- something exciting.  Nothing to announce?  Create something!  Get new headshots!  Launch a podcast!  Stop waiting for life to happen to you and start HAPPENING to your life.  Our friends at Reproductions can help you with this one.
  • If it’s time, schedule your next headshot session.  New hair, new look, grew a beard, been a while, last headshot not getting you in the door, you’ve got smile lines now– all of those reasons are good ones!  If you can shoot before December is over– all the better!
  • Write the list of CD’s you want to know your work.  You hear me say this a lot but it really is THAT IMPORTANT.  Know who is casting the shows you are interested in right now.  See if we have them on our 2019 schedule and sign-up for class ASAP so you don’t miss out on learning from them.
  • Practice your self-tape game.  This part of the industry is NOT going away.  Luckily– we are here to help so you never have to do it alone– but you still need to know how to get a good shot in the shortest amount of time possible.  Work that muscle.
  • START WRITING.  The emerging trend we are seeing in NY, ATLANTA and ESPECIALLY LA, is the rise of the ACTOR/WRITER.  Start writing work for yourself to fill in those moments between jobs. Use the holiday to collect some ideas for episodics, shorts, films– just get out that laptop and start typing away!
  • Write down your goals.  ALL OF THEM.  Professional, personal, physical– get ’em all on paper and put it in a place you can look at all year long.  This needs to be done before that ball drops– so you can start your momentum Jan 1.

Where to Go From Here

The work that happens behind the scenes and between the gigs is staggering– we know it well.  For some, we know the holidays can be tough because you may have family members who don’t understand truly how hard you work and how much you hustle.

We know what it is like.  And we have your back.

We are creating more tools to help you grow and plan and CRUSH 2019.  This career path is in your heart for a reason.  You’re supposed to be here.  The way you are going to close 2018 is going to have 2019 dying for you to waltz on in like you own the place.

Because you DO own it.  Now go tell it what to do!

Always your cheerleader,
Colleen Kahl
President