MRP on Backstage: Career Longevity
Michael’s third article with Backstage.com has been published! This time, he is giving all his best advice on how to stay focused and maintain longevity in your acting career.
Click HERE to read Michael’s piece on the 5 Habits of Consistently Working Actors. Here’s our favorite excerpt from the piece:
1.They know their strengths and weaknesses, and never stop making strides to improve on both.Every actor should be self-aware and conscious of how they are perceived by others. Your job is not only performance. When you have a sense of how you’re being perceived, you can make small adjustments and improvements to what you’re doing. Maybe your strength is comedy, but you’re not as confident with drama. If that’s the case, it would be in your best interest to study performances of some of your favorite actors, take some classes on expanding your technique, or throw yourself into situations/projects that allow you to evolve in the dramatic arena. When you try new methods, open your mind up to new solutions, and stay in tune with what’s going on around you, you open yourself up to positive change. There is no such thing as perfection in the real world or in the acting world, so as long as your goals are in alignment with personal growth, embracing new experiences, and playing to your strengths, you’re in a great place.
2. They understand the healthy, productive mindset and know how to get in the zone. For example, a big reason why athletes can often make a smooth transition into acting is because they respect the process. Athletes understand the benefit and the absolute necessity of training. They know that muscles will lose their power and purpose if not routinely exercised, and this also applies to creative ability. Adopting a healthy diet, consciously and routinely studying performance by watching a diverse range of TV and film, and maintaining mental clarity (meditation, self-scheduling, therapy, exercise, etc.) are all crucial for your success. Practice conscious productivity and your actions will never lead you astray.