Whether you’re weathering an industry strike or hitting one of the natural slumps in incoming auditions, it’s easy to get discouraged or complacent when the entertainment industry slows down.
That being said, this can be a great time to build personal career momentum. When the work isn’t coming to you, it’s time to go to work. (Please note: In the event of an industry strike this does not mean crossing picket lines or trying to find strike loopholes. You can work on making yourself a more marketable artist for the future while still supporting your union and union friends).
What can you do to build personal momentum when in an external slump? Here are just a few options.
Take a New Acting Class
When you’re not able to produce as much acting content as usual, it can be a great time to absorb. Keep your acting skills honed and at the ready by taking a new acting class, trying out a new studio and working out new (and old) skills.
Workshop with Your Industry Peers
If funds or opportunities for classes are lacking, create your learning environment. Bring material you’re passionate about and workshop with acting peers. You can not only continue to grow your skill set, you can take the time you have to reconnect with your love of the craft and find inspiration to move forward.
Revamp Your Online Presence
The website you’ve neglected to update for months? Now is the time! Revisit your casting breakdown profiles and make sure everything is up to date and looking sharp. Attract the kind of work and professionalism you want.
Write Your Stuff
If you’ve been sitting on dreams you’ve been too busy to realize, revisit them now! Create your content. Even if nothing ever comes of it, the act of writing and creating is instructive and revitalizing.
Keep Submitting for Projects
Keep playing the numbers game even when the game feels slow. You can’t control the industry but you can control you. Update your resumes and headshots, and keep submitting to as many projects as possible.
If you keep building the internal momentum, you can hit the ground running when the time comes. Just because your bookings are slow doesn’t mean you have to slow the ascent of your career. The one thing you can always work on is you.
Thinking about joining Casting Networks? Sign up for a free trial today!
You may also like:
