In the past three years I have seen the entertainment Iidustry from the perspective of a struggling actor and of a working actor. I can say, without a doubt, that I enjoy the role of working actor much more!
I do have to mention, for those of you who are struggling to break in, that while it was painful, I learned more about myself during those difficult times than at any other point in my life. I honestly believe the struggle made me a better human being and was necessary in preparing me for the life I am building.
As of now, the majority of my work is, and has been, in independent film. However I spend many an evening drooling over web sites learning as much as I can about the different studios, networks, and production companies and how they operate. I have read multiple stories about the struggles some of these mega-structures are currently going through with stressful financial conundrums and layoffs.
As an actor, I am always looking for work and will use any opportunity to try and put myself out there, but I also like to try to be a problem solver. I believe that I can offer a solution to take some of the weight from the shoulders of the struggling studios and networks. It's not necessarily a new solution, but it is one that I feel needs to have more thought put into.
The industry has changed in many ways. Currently more and more film stars are migrating into TV and even celebrities are having to fight for the roles that they want. Celebrities are a necessary part of the entertainment industry; they bring a familiar happiness to viewers and a star name will bring the comfort to investors that is needed to bring a project to life.
However, we are in a town that is full of talented individuals, some who already have established fan bases due to the technology available to us, just waiting for that one role that will give them the career that they seek. I am one of those people.
I'm a firm believe that if you want something, you have to put yourself out there and ask for it … and so that's what I am doing. I am appealing to the major studios, networks, production companies, producers and directors. If you don't already do so, make an effort to find a few places for beginners in your projects.
To quote our First Lady Michelle Obama, “Do not slam the doorway of opportunity behind you, reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed."
Now, back to getting to entertainment industry through the recession. The point I am trying to make is that when you hire someone who is relatively new to the business like me, you can not only start off my salary at a lower rate than you would be able to a star, but you also get a pre-packaged following that proves my marketability, and may also give you access to a demographic you didn't have before.
I have been very fortunate that, through my work, I gained a decent-sized fan base. On Twitter I have over 44,000 followers, which is more than many TV stars, and I'm just a kid, with a little bit of work ethic, who's originally from a one stop-light town in West Virginia. I did that without a publicist — imagine what I could do with a little bit of your publicists' magic.
The concept of needing every single character to be a star is a facade. You can make the public fall in love with me or any other worthy actor, all while saving money, creating jobs for our country's struggling economy and instilling hope that the American Dream is still attainable.
I am not asking for a free ride. I am more than willing to put in the work, but I do ask that you always keep me in mind. I believe in and have so much love for the power of collaboration and I simply ask that, over the years, you believe in me enough to let me be a part of the fun.
