I feel as though I'm at a stand still in my acting career right now. I am trying to make bigger things happen for myself (aka get a talent manager, decent representation, get into a union) but it feels as though the forces are against me. I work very hard, as most actors do, to send my resume and headshot to all sorts of places and I go to open calls and auditions for all sorts of things because I simply love it and want to be successful in this business. I can't help feeling slightly down, as I know I just have to be patient and my time will come... I'll be honest, I'm young, but very ambitious and greedy when it comes to this aspect of my life. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or support to cheer me up a little? Can anyone relate to how I'm feeling? I wouldn't be posting this unless I really needed some words of support and an outside view.

I think there are many of us who are going through or have experienced that feeling of being stagnant, careerwise. I think the important thing to do is to continue to be active. Actively pursuing auditions, taking classes, workshops, meeting other actors.

When I lived in NY, there was a small group of us--approx. 5--who would meet every Sunday. We would simply discuss our previous week, and set goals for the coming week (i.e. mass mailings, read a play, h/r drop-offs). The following week, if we hadn't met our goal, there were consequences--however minor.

I think it's important to set long-term goals, but also short term goals. Write them out and keep them visible. Constantly check in to see your progress.

Even if your career feels like it's at a stand-still, make sure that you're not at a stand-still. If you keep kicking up enough dust, eventually somebody will cough.

Thank you so much for your advice... I really enjoy the kicking up dust quote you left as well, and I can tell from your website that you work very, very hard. Good luck and I wish you the best.

The hardest time to find your balance is when you're in a rut. We've all been there. James was right on the money here. There's as much to the business side of acting as there is to your creative side. A good class on just that, or some one on one career coaching, will make that clear starting out. I actually teach a lot of these individual development skills, but wasn't applying them to my acting because I wasn't thinking about acting as a business! When I returned to the business, I was lucky enough to find a good business of acting class and it woke me up! It's essential when you are your own agent.

1. Learn to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Specific). Like James suggested, work with an accountability partner and check in with each other.

2. Do something for your Business every day. This can be making/appending a lists companies you want to work with, casting directors from movies you liked, new playwrights you might contact, etc. It can also be dropping off H/Rs, updating your mailing lists so you don't have to scramble when you get a postcard to send, writing meaningful cover letters, flyering for a show you are in, etc. If you are not checking Backstage and Playbill, at the least, every day you are going to miss audition opportunities. Going to auditions doesn't count, do something for your Business on the way there or back.

3. Do something for your Craft every day. Warm up, keep your instrument in tune, read a play, work on a new monologue or song, practice cold reading, meet with some fellow actors, take a class.

4. Do what you Have to every day. Yes, do your chores. Don't let your laundry pile up, get your grocery shopping done, hit the gym, whatever tat stuff is. Don't lose your routine or fall behind, especially when you have a show running.

5. Do something for your Self every day. Take a few minutes for yourself, to do the things that inspire you. Read a (non acting!) book, visit a museum, window shop, meet a friend for a drink, try to find a little Me time. This is the one area I always put last and it starts to show.

6. Find a good business of acting class or find a business coach. You can PM me for recommendations, I don't want to sound like a shill but never mind talking about folks I like and know to be effective.

7. Remember that opportunity is fleeting. You never know when it will present itself, so you MUST be ready or you'll lose your chance. That's why you have to have all this stuff together and be ready to leap. Most importantly, make your own opportunities, don't wait for the phone to ring! If you are not getting the kind of work you want, find a way to make your own. Set up a showcase with your friends, find ways to be around the work when you can, or start your own theatre company. That's what I did and we're in the middle of our first pairing of shows, with another two shows coming up in late September. Get out of the rut and make your own work, somebody is bound to notice you.

Hope that helps!

I too get like you Lets, but I have a good friend that stays on my back, and keep pushing me. You just have to surround yourself with positive, dedicated, and determine friends such as yourself. That way when your feeling down and out, they'll be right there to help pick you up and keep you moving forward. Just like Green mentioned setting realistic goals is the way to achieving success. Most of the time failure occurs due to the lack of proper preparations. So if your properly prepared you can weather any obstacles thrown your way. Hang in there ! That's why this site was created for us to help and learn from each others. Enjoy the wkend.

Wow, I was expecting to get some good advice... but I WASN'T EXPECTING THIS! I really am so happy that I decided to say this on the message board, I wasn't expecting a lot back... but I really have learned so much. thank you so much everyone, and now I need to be SMART and I need an acting friend who keeps pushing me! thanks!

I have felt that way too. Every time I go to a film audition and do not get any call back I feel bad.

My coach who works a lot always says once you've done the audition " LET IT GO ". Because if you sit there wondering why they haven't called you back it will drive you crazy. Because there can be a million of different reasons for you not getting the part. Example- to short, tall, too pretty, to muscular, etc.... Then there you go rattling your brains trying to figure out if maybe you bombed at the audition. When actually you didn't you just wasn't what they saw for the character. It's hard ! Especially when you feel deep in your heart that you nailed it.

It's hard to keep yourself always up and ready... it is hard to be strong and fight for what you want. Do all the things you have to do. I mean... it only works (seemingly) if you don't mind doing it anyway.

You have to have a strong sense of faith and expectancy. Know that God keeps you in a certain position for a reason. Everything in life that you are facing is temporary. Trouble don't last always.

You may think that just because you're not getting casted in major films, your career is at a standstill. That's not true. If you really love the craft of acting, you will enroll in acting classes, you will work on student films, you will work with low budget community theaters. If this is your passion, you will do EVERYTHING to stay in the "circle"

Keep the faith and know that this is all a test to see how strong your faith is. If you pass it, trust me things will start to look bright for you.

1 love....fellow thespian

Letsgo2690, you are not alone. I have been feeling really down the last month or so... I've been through it in the past, but it's been awhile.

And I'm glad there was such constructive advice given here.

This is similar to excellent advice given above, but as someone who has NO time to breathe, I wanted to chime in.

During slow times, take the opportunity to push ahead in things you usually don't have time for, such as:
1. working a few extra hours at the day job and shoring up your savings so when the auditions are more plentiful you'll be able to relax about the rent
2. Reading acting books on craft and career.
3. Reading plays
4. Putting together a reading of a play or screenplay you like with your actor friends in your living room to keep in shape and have fun. Choose something you'd love to do.
5. Going on a little trip to break up the rut you may be in
6. starting a weekly gathering of alumni from your college acting program or acting class or actors you know from a show or shows--pick a coffee shop or bar or somewhere fun and get together. Networking doesn't mean only with those "above" you on the ladder
and of course
6. refocusing your submission and training efforts
Have fun!