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Writer's pictureSean Perez

STOP PLAYING THE VICTIM


One thing I despise seeing is when actors play victim - in both life AND in their work.

What is playing victim? Playing victim is the "oh woe is me" classic attitude. It's the why is this happening to me? Instead of focusing on finding a solution, its when you focus on the problem. It is not attractive to anyone when you play the victim.

In your scenes, the status of various character will be victims, yes. The script will dictate that they are victims, yes. However the intention behind the lines and situations are something that you control - not the script. Especially with screen, the clearer the intention, the clearer the action will be. So when you have a clear intention of finding a solution to the problem being presented, even when the lines and situation dictate that you are a victim, it will be much more interesting to watch and the audience will be more on your side and therefore empathise with your character much more. That's what you want - that audience connection.

However if your intention is to focus on the problem and how bad it is while the lines and situation dictate that you're a victim, then that will only turn your audience off of you moreso and that is something you don't want.

An audience always wants to root for someone so be that someone that they are cheering for despite the situation your character is stuck in.

In life, playing the victim can be career suicide because no one will want to be around that sort of energy.

I find actors are always complaining, they're never happy about what they have.

When actors have too many auditions or too much work, they complain that they've got too much of a work load and not enough time for themselves (welcome to the life of a working actor!).

Or the opposite is also true - when an actor doesn't have any auditions or any work, they complain about that too (welcome to the ebb and flow of "what's hot" in our industry and the reality of what's selling right now). I've heard actors complain about having a "bad agent" when months ago, they weren't represented and complaining about how they didn't have representation. Or when actors drop their agents or their agents drop them and then they complain they don't have any way of booking work - well no, there are plenty of ways for you to book work; you just have to work that bit harder. It's called freelancing.

Stop focusing on what you don't have and work towards what you need. You have a problem, solve it.

Don't have enough work - what is it that could be preventing you from getting in the room or booking? Do you need more classes, better photos, better footage or better relationships?

Have too much work - what can you do to have better time management? Create better coping skills?

Don't have an agent? What research have you done to find the agent that is YOUR best fit? What people have you spoken to that could refer you? What materials do you have that you could sell and market the crap out of you?

Need a better agent? Have you spoken to them? Find out if you're on the same page?

Playing the victim is never the best decision for you because you don't want to be stuck in that frame of mind either. Empower yourself and fight for what you want, for what you need. You have a network and you don't know it. Call people. Send messages. Attend events and meet new people to connect with. If you don't ask, you've already got a "no". So do it and see what happens!

Also when you start fighting for what you want, you'll get faster results. People will see this and want to help off their own volition. They'll encourage you. They'll help you. They'll support you. Creatives, agents, producers will take note. They'll want to sign you. They'll see your drive. They'll want to use you, cast you, be with you. Never stop fighting till you reach that next step, then the step after that and the step after that because in this industry, everyone is fighting for what they want until they don't. They'll give up - don't be that person that gives up because you've got it in you to keep going. To be in it for the long haul. You've got this!!!


CHECKLIST:

  • Play the fighter.

  • Know what you want and take the steps to get there.

  • Start small and work your way to each step.

  • Don't compare yourself to others - you are on your own journey, not theirs.

  • Energy attracts energy - if you fight, people will come and help.

  • Stay strong and don't lose sight of your goals.

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