MELISSA
I hear it often mentioned among industry peers that you need to do something for your career everyday. What are some examples you can provide on how to keep motivated, stay focused and inspired during downtime's?
SEAN
When industry people say "Do one thing that furthers your career", this means you need to make practical steps to get to where you want to be. Want to be in Hollywood? The go do a class, go to a networking event, put a self tape down, learn a script, rewrite your CV, etc
Want to be on Broadway? Learn a song, go to dance class, stretch, practise your accents, etc.
Practical steps that will get you one step closer to your goal is achievable for everyone in this industry whether you're a professional or studying. This applies to everyday of your pursuit of this career - not just in the down times.
Some places that you can find inspiration and motivation are:
I find Facebook to be an incredible source of motivation and inspiration everyday and I'm constantly sharing articles, posts, videos and something as simple as memes which can help my actors and myself out of ruts and feeling inspired again.
There are plenty of actor based groups on Facebook where actors are telling their stories everyday; sharing their tips and tricks; managers and other agents giving out advice to help further not only their own clients but actors around the world so they can succeed in this industry. Join these groups and you'll see these posts everyday on your timeline - seeing these everyday will certainly get you out of bed and rearing to charge you into your career.
TWITTER & INSTAGRAM
On both Twitter & Instagram, I find using hashtags to be the most effective way to find motivation and inspiration. For example, during Pilot Season, I used the #pilotseason to see what was happening on the ground in the States so I knew what actors there were going through. I found valuable resources on Twitter outlining which networks were using which Casting Directors; I also found on on Day 2 of Pilot Season, someone had already booked a role as a father on a sitcom! On Instagram, I found actor's reels and self tapes and seeing these only made me want to put more material down myself!
INDUSTRY WEBSITES
There are various industry websites (The Hollywood Reporter, Backstage.com. Aussietheatre.com, Broadway.com, etc) that have daily and weekly updates on our industry which will keep you motivated and inspired. They will often have articles and columns from industry professionals who give advice and experiences where you can learn from. Resources like teachers, photographers, etc are listed too so you're never one without contacts. These sites should be your newspapers and be checking in daily so you know what's happening in our industry in your market and any market you're wanting to be in! Why not subscribe to these sites so they land right in your emails and you don't have to do anything but read!
ACTORS & CLASS
If you're going to class, you should be finding your own classmates inspirational and motivation at least! The fact that they are learning scripts during the week amongst their busy schedules, making the effort to come to class and put themselves on camera or on stage to play pretend in front of other people is amazing in itself - that takes a lot of courage and bravery! if you don't go to class, watching your favourite actors on the big or small screen or on stage should inspire and motivate you because they too were once like you, dreaming that they one day would have their names in lights. One day, that'll be you too! But for now, you're on your way!
LIFE
Life is the most important tool to motivate and inspire you.
Look around you and take your head out of the phone while you're sitting in the park, or taking the bus or train to work and just observe. Everyday you'll see people fighting for what they want, struggling to get what they want, achieving their "objectives", learning their lessons and counting their wins or losses. There are characters out there in the real world, there are people who are believed to have the perfect life but on the inside they are struggling; and yet you see people on the street and they are completely happy with what they have on their backs because they know they are alive. The world and people around us are inspiring and motivating enough because one day you may tell their stories, you may help them with their own stories and one day you may change someone's life.
When you appreciate what you have and how far you've come along, you'll find your motivation and inspiration. When the entertainment industry becomes the air you breathe, you won't have a problem of not being motivated. If this is all you ever want that you're willing to do anything, then you will always be inspired.
CHECKLIST:
Materials are up to date
(Continue) learning a skill
Put some work down
Create your own work
Network/ Gather with like minded people
Subscribe to industry websites
Go to class
Observe people in your life
Hop on social media
Appreciate your growth
Thank you to Melissa Brattoni for asking this important question and make sure you find her on social media @melissabrattoni