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Life Is Not A Cartoon

by Mario A. Campanaro

Life Is Not A Cartoon

by Mario A. Campanaro

One of the best-kept secrets an actor holds is how much work goes into masterfully making something extraordinary seem so subtle, simple, and easy. But to achieve that, you have to want to commit to being that kind of actor. You have to put more faith in why you can than in the excuses for why you can't.

How committed are you to your choice of acting as a career?

Let me put it this way: how much time and effort do you put into someone else's business each week? And how much time and effort do you put into your own? There is your answer.

In my 25 years of teaching and coaching hundreds upon hundreds of actors, I’ve heard every excuse in the book about why someone “can’t.” It always comes down to the same root: the excuses one continues to make, to tell themselves, and to give others. It all mounts up to one truth—never really wanting to.

This is the script if it ever comes up in one of my classes:

Actor: I can’t...

Me: Yes, you can! Create a way!

Actor: I don’t have the time...

Me: Yes, you do! Make the time if it’s really important to you!

Actor: I have so much going on...

Me: Your goals should be part of that “stuff” if they’re really your goals!

Actor: I don’t have the finances...

Me: Save up! Hold off on buying something you want right now for something you want for your future. Invest in yourself, your dreams—not the coffee shop or the bar downtown!

Actor: I’m tired...

Me: Take a nap on your own time. Then get back on track!

Actor: I didn’t know...

Me: Figure it out! Struggle. Learn through the experience.

Actor: I’m scared...

Me: Good! Get a little scared. Walk through the fear of the unknown. That discomfort will inspire your growth and contribute to your calling as an artist.

Actor: I’m just waiting for...

Me: Stop waiting! No one is coming to knock on your door to make your life happen. Life is not a cartoon—you can’t just wish upon a star and expect your dreams to come true. You have to actually put in the work.

You hold the key to all the doors you want to open. Your life is in your hands.

We can choose to listen to the self-created saboteur that resists what we know we need to do, or we can choose to listen to the self-created inner professional that commits to what we know we need to do. Either way, they are both your decision and your choice in the making.

You can convince yourself of any excuse in the book, but at the end of the day, you have to face the truth:

Are you—or are you not—holding yourself accountable for what you say you really want?

Are you—or are you not—pursuing it with the necessary skill, energy, investment, and commitment to make it actually happen?

Deep down, in your mind and heart of hearts, you know the real answer.

Everyone struggles at some point with fear, obstacles, insecurities, and even imposter syndrome. No one is unique in that regard. What really defines the professional actor is their perseverance despite all the fear, struggles, obstacles, and insecurities.

My best advice is this: make the choice to cultivate more faith and kindle the passionate fire of why you can, rather than nurture the destructive fire of why you can't.