Schedule your studio Enrollment Interview Today!

Taking Ownership of Your Dream

by Mario A. Campanaro

Taking Ownership of Your Dream

by Mario A. Campanaro

This may trigger you. And if it does, that’s a good thing. It’s asking us to look at our actions with conscious awareness—not just to move through the world unaware… or even sleepwalking. If this triggers you, ask yourself honestly, Why does this freaking trigger me so much?

"Easy" and acting do not marry. They divorce very quickly. So let’s put things into perspective for a moment: Think about how much time you’re putting into a job that is not aligned with your end goal. Think about how many hours you’re investing in something that, at the end of the day, isn’t what you’re truly passionate about doing. Who’s getting your energy? What’s getting your energy?

Now, we all know—and there’s absolutely no shame in it—that we sometimes need "safety jobs" to support ourselves while pursuing this crazy field of acting. We have to make an income. A lot of times, the work we get as actors is sparse, and it doesn’t always give us enough to live on. So, we do what we have to do. But really think about it: How much energy are you putting into someone else’s business when you do those jobs? And how much energy are you investing in your own business—your acting career?

Your boss is getting rich off your hard work, working to make their dreams come true. You're working hard for your boss’ success. You're exhausting yourself so they can take vacations, buy nice cars, invest in lessons to learn something new, or afford that beautiful house they’ve always dreamed of. You're doing that. And people like you are doing that.

Now, I’m not saying that’s your intention. Your intention is to take care of yourself and those you’re responsible for. But regardless of your intention, your energy is being used to fulfill someone else's dreams. So, what are you doing to make your own dreams come true?

How much energy are you putting into realizing your own goals? Into becoming the actor you want to be? Every time you build structures to succeed in your "safety job," you're fulfilling that role, just as you’re expected to. But as an actor, you need to build your own structure. You need to lay the foundation for your own business to succeed and weather any storms that may come.

How many hours are you dedicating to your acting career? And if you’re not doing that, where do you think it’s going to come from? Do you think it’ll happen spontaneously? Do you think just your raw talent is enough to land a long-term job?

First, you have to do everything possible to be seen and considered for a role. More importantly, you have to know what you’re doing in both the craft and the business of acting. You have to actively participate in your own journey. Be your hardest-working employee and the CEO of your own career.

Yes, you may be lucky enough to get a job here or there, but as we all know, those jobs are fleeting. They will end, and you’ll need to find the next one. You’ll always have to go on another audition, always hoping that the next job is right around the corner.

So, who are you really taking care of right now? Yes, you’re taking care of yourself financially, which is necessary. But as an artist, who are you really taking care of? Be honest with yourself: How much am I really investing in my dream while I’m here on this planet?

You’re not promised tomorrow. You’re promised right now. So, if, God forbid, you weren’t here tomorrow, could you honestly say to yourself, “I gave it my all. I did everything I could to pursue what I believe I was meant to do”? Or are you simply working hard to pay the bills, to play it safe, and to make your boss’ dreams a reality?

Where do you stand in all of this? Think about it.