How to Get to the Next Phase of Your Acting Career
Although an acting career can feel non-linear, meaning our career trajectory is comprised of fits and starts, forward propulsions, standstills, and detours. Still, if you look at your career as a whole, you’ll be able to see the points where things began to change and you got some forward momentum. An actor’s career is made up of four phases, each with its own set of challenges. Don’t worry though, in this week’s episode of Act Bold, I go through each of the phases, name the challenges so you know how to recognize where you are and of course, give you some step-by-step action plans so you can get to the next level. What? Did you think I was going to leave you hanging?
Phases of an Actor’s Career
So, here's the thing. We've all been there, right? Those moments in the acting journey when the road ahead seems like an uphill battle, and self-doubt tries to knock us down. But let me tell you, my bold one, you're not alone on this rollercoaster ride. Every actor, every artist, has faced those valleys of uncertainty. And here's the kicker – those valleys aren't where your dreams go to die; they're where they come to life. The key to not getting buried under a mountain of despair is understanding which phase you’re in and what you need to do to get to the next phase.
Unlocking the Phases of Your Acting Journey
Welcome to the no-nonsense guide to surviving and thriving as an actor. There are five phases in every actor’s career but since the first phase has everything to do with training and nothing to do with the business of acting we’re going to concentrate on phases 2-5. The Emerging Phase, the Tenacious Phase, The Working Actor Phase to the Star Phase. The last one is self-explanatory but I'll break down all of the different phases and equip you with the tools you need to conquer the unique challenges they bring so you can move on and up.
I’m not here to sugarcoat things or sell you a dream. I'm here to provide you with real talk, practical advice, and a healthy dose of tough love. Because let's face it, the acting world isn't all red carpets and applause. It's hard work, perseverance, and finding your own unique path.
The Non-Linear Path
It's crucial to understand that the life of a creative is non-linear. Unlike the corporate world, where there is often a clear upward trajectory, our journey as actors is characterized by forward and backward movements, sidesteps, and starts and stops. We may even find ourselves skipping phases, jumping ahead, or falling back to where we began. Instead of accumulating promotions, we gather valuable experience along the way. As we navigate the highs and lows of our careers, we often encounter similar challenges repeatedly, such as finding representation, facing rejection, and dealing with disappointment. It can sometimes feel like we're at the mercy of larger forces and even fate, leaving us feeling disempowered.
That's exactly why having a reliable system in place becomes paramount. A system that not only helps us identify where we currently stand on our journey but also provides step-by-step actionable plans that enable us to reclaim our power. With a well-defined framework, we can regain control over our careers and confidently navigate the industry's obstacles.
Are you ready? Then, let’s jump right into it with Phase One - The Emerging Actor Phase, and then we'll move on to the subsequent phases and their accompanying challenges and solutions so make sure to watch to the end. You might want to grab a pencil and paper for this one or save this episode to refer to later. (Include graphics pencil & paper/save for later)
Phase One: The Emerging Actor Phase
As we navigate these valleys in our acting journey, we tend to find ourselves falling into one of four phases. The first one is Phase One: The Emerging Actor Phase.
You’re excited. You’ve finally decided to go after your dreams. You’ve gotten the training you need and now you’re looking for someone to join your team. You’ve poured your heart into creating engaging marketing materials, invested your time in researching the right agents, and finally, sent them out... only to be met with silence. Nothing. Zero. Zip. The inbox remains distressingly empty, and the phone stays unnervingly silent. It can be disheartening, right? It feels like nobody cares. You may even begin to doubt yourself, lose confidence, and retreat. I know, it's tough.
This phase comes with its own unique set of pain points. For starters, the silence can trigger a tidal wave of self-doubt. You've put yourself out there, and the lack of response may leave you questioning your talent, your potential, and even your decision to pursue acting.
And then there's that feeling of isolation. Without any feedback or interaction, it can seem as though you're navigating this vast industry alone. This isolation, coupled with career uncertainty, creates a foggy path ahead. Without any guidance or constructive feedback, it's like being in a maze without a map.
And let's not forget the financial stress. You're investing in your career, your headshots, acting classes, and creating a showreel, but the return hasn't come through yet. This, especially when you're balancing other jobs to make ends meet, can be a heavy weight to bear.
Lastly, there's a lack of direction. Without an agent or any prospects, it can be tough to figure out the next steps. How to proceed? Where to focus your energy? It's this lack of direction that can chip away at your motivation.
Here all you really want to know is how to get started.
Phase Two: The Tenacious Actor Phase
Then we have Phase Two, which I like to call "The Tenacious Actor Phase” because if you’re going to make it to phase three, you’re going to have to be very determined.
You've crossed that first hurdle and found yourself an agent, which in itself is an achievement. But that's when you hit a wall. No roles. No auditions. Nothing. It's like being in a car that's run out of gas. You have the vehicle, but you're going nowhere.
This is where momentum may begin to plateau, and it's common for actors to lose their inspiration and become bitter. However, it's crucial to either push through this challenging phase or risk giving up and sinking. To overcome it, you'll need to continue to build your portfolio, sometimes working for free, sometimes getting paid, continue training, develop industry relationships, and stay proactive by auditioning and staying in touch with your agent.
It's an incredibly frustrating phase, and you may find yourself stuck in a mental loop, thinking, "it's not fair," or "When will I catch my break?" This is the phase where most actors find themselves, stuck in this limbo of anticipation and stagnation. In fact, most actors never really advance beyond this phase and some, thinking that their lack of success means their in the wrong business will give up. But if they do begin to get consistent work then…
They’ll find themselves in…
Phase Three: The Working Actor Phase
At this point, you’ve tasted success. You've had roles, you've been on set, you've seen your name in the credits. There's been momentum, and it's been exhilarating.
After the initial hype subsides, you may find that things slow down — way down. Months pass, and you persist in training, researching, and even creating your own work. You’ve got to find some way to keep the momentum going. Eventually, you book another job and hope returns. This is the cyclical nature of highs and lows, employment and unemployment that is the actor’s life. This is the phase I live in.
When you hit a plateau it can feel like a desert, vast and unchanging, and it brings its own unique set of challenges.
First up is the fear of regression. After having tasted success, the quiet can feel like you're moving backward instead of forward. It's as if your progress is being undone, and that can create a lot of anxiety.
Next, there's the uncertainty of the future. You're asking, "What's next?" but there's no clear answer. The unpredictability of this industry can feel even more pronounced when you're in this phase.
This uncertainty can lead to restlessness. You want to act, to work, but the opportunities aren't coming. And that restlessness can turn into frustration and dissatisfaction.
You may also begin to question your worth. Comparisons might start creeping in, leading to self-doubt. "If they're getting roles, why aren't I?"
And lastly, this plateau can trigger a feeling of stagnation. Even though you've made strides in your career, the current standstill can make you feel as though you're stuck, not growing or evolving.
But, just like a desert eventually leads to an oasis, this phase, too, has its end. It's all about adopting the right mindset and taking proactive steps in your career instead of relying on your agent.
Phase Four: The Star Phase
And finally, we have Phase Four, basically - the "Star Phase." Only 2% of actors will ever reach this phase and of course, some stars burn brighter than others. And, some are only known in their own little constellations while others are known galaxy-wide. But these actors pull weight. They get films funded simply by being attached and they usually have their pick of a plethora of projects to work on. Is everything sunshine and roses? Probably not. 98% of us will never know but that doesn’t mean we still can’t have a meaningful career and earn a decent living.
Slipping & Sliding
As I mentioned earlier, our career is non-linear which means we might weave back and forth between phases. And of course, within each phase are also levels.
Knowing where you are in your journey, and understanding your current phase, is just the first step. The crucial question is - what can you do to progress from your current phase to the next level?
Well, I can tell you what I did to get from ground zero to become a working actor. Obviously, I can’t tell you everything I learned over the last 9 years but I can give you some actionable strategies and practical steps that you can implement right now, to start elevating yourself to the next phase. We'll tackle each phase one by one. Are you ready? Let's dive in.
Strategies
So let's circle back to The Emerging Actor Phase. When you’re at this point, you should be saying yes a lot more than you're saying no. (Say „yes“ more than no) Because in this stage of your career, you need to gain experience, and get confident in your skills as an actor — and I’m not just talking about your talent here. You also need to get skilled in technical aspects like auditioning, self-taping, callbacks, virtual callbacks, hitting your mark, knowing where your light is, and being able to adjust your performance based on the camera’s framing. Commercials, student films, low-budget films, and even no-budget films are going to help you get to the next level. When I was at this stage I used to say, "I’ll do anything I wouldn’t mind my son seeing someday."
It doesn’t matter why you’re at this stage in your career. It could be you just got out of drama school or it could be you’re returning to the business after taking a break. You should approach this phase with a beginner’s mindset. Industries change and the film industry is no exception. Even styles of acting change so if you’ve been gone for more than five years you’ll need to re-assess. Most creative industries are non-linear, and acting is no exception.
I took a 16-year hiatus to raise my son and was 47 years old, living in a foreign country, and had zero current marketing material when I decided to return to acting. Even though I had been a professional actor back in the States, I was faced with the same challenges as an actor fresh out of drama school.
All my experience was in my past, and I had nothing to show for it. Because if it ain't up to date, it ain't worth showing. People in the industry need to see representations of who you are today, not who you were some distant time in the past.
Don't ever underestimate the power of your life experience and the depth it can bring to your performances. If you embrace the changes and use them to your advantage, your authenticity and relatability will shine through.
At this stage, it's not just about building your showreel, but also about understanding where you fit into the industry. When I left the industry, I was a young woman, and when I came back, I was almost 50. I needed to figure out what my type was and what sorts of roles I could play. I had to test the waters and discover what my unique offering was.
I was certainly confused until a friend pointed out that I was now a character actress. I can't tell you how freeing that was. When I was younger, I thought I had to look a certain way and act a certain way in order to be castable. And while I'm not going to lie, it was a slight blow to my ego to hear I had moved into character territory, once I got comfortable with the idea, I began to embrace it.
If you're in The Emerging Actor Phase: Experiment. Try out different roles, different genres. Take lots of workshops. Work with a coach. Discovering how you want to be seen and the kinds of roles you want to play is just as important as learning how the industry sees you. It all comes down to branding, and the earlier you know your brand, the better. Find out where you fit in. Knowing your brand is the first step to taking charge of your career.
(Points) This video is an extensive deep dive into what it means for actors to be their own brand. I'll link to it in the show notes.
Also at this stage, you'll want to build your community. Connect with other actors who are as ambitious and driven as you are. Share experiences, and learn from each other. A support system is crucial in this industry, and it starts here.
Remember, you're laying the foundation of your career in this phase. It's all about exploration and growth, making connections, and honing your craft. It's about discovering who you are as an actor now and starting to carve your own unique path in this industry.
Most importantly, you need to be setting yourself up with a system that will help you achieve your goals, so that you know what to do when times are tough.
How long this phase lasts is up to you. You must be proactive. There are things you can do at each stage of your career. The only thing you can't do is wait for someone else to create a career for you. It's your career, and what it looks like is up to you.
Just remember, with every 'yes,' you're one step closer to transitioning into The Tenacious Actor Phase. Keep going. Your persistence will pay off.
Moving on!
As a natural part of the evolution, you’ll progress from saying 'yes' to every opportunity to becoming more selective as you begin to accumulate more paid work and find yourself with less time for unpaid projects.
The Tenacious Actor Phase
You’ve entered the Tenacious Actor Phase and you should also be starting to gain a clearer understanding of where you fit into the market and how you are typically cast. (Karaoke style captions) If you still find yourself unsure about the rhyme or reason behind the types of roles you're getting, it's time to sit down and do a little self-assessment. Take a moment to reflect on your past experiences, the feedback you've received, and the patterns you've noticed. Understanding your strengths, your unique qualities, and the roles that align with your brand will help you make more strategic choices moving forward.
In fact, the ability to assess your progress at any given stage is a valuable skill that will serve you well throughout your career. The sooner you get used to these little check-ins, the better equipped you'll be to make informed decisions and navigate the industry with confidence.
Here the most common complaint is that the auditions and roles you’re getting aren’t aligning anymore with where you want to be. If that’s the case with you, it’s especially important to make sure your brand is on point so that the powers that be can see you as you want to be seen. (Karaoke style captions)
5 Pillars
Now, no matter which phase you're in, there are five pillars that form the foundation of a thriving acting career: (list these)
Marketing
Mindset
Branding
Networking
And Community
These pillars provide guidance and support as you face challenges along the way. When you encounter obstacles or feel unsure about your next steps, you can refer back to these fundamental aspects and reassess to regain clarity, direction, and most importantly, a plan of action.
Agents
One of the most common mistakes actors make in all phases of their careers is assuming that once they secure representation, they're all set. They believe their agent will take care of all the legwork, networking, and industry connections on their behalf. While there are a few agents who truly go above and beyond in this regard, they are a rarity. It's essential to recognize that you are still an active participant in your career. Your agent is an important partner, but you gotta continue to invest your energy into researching opportunities, sending out emails, networking, and interviewing. You can't just sit back and hope that your agent will be as invested in your career as you are.
Most agents have a roster of clients, which can include dozens of talented actors. With the sheer number of clients they represent, it's a simple matter of mathematics that their attention, interest, and time will be divided. And let's not forget, agents are people too. They have their own limitations, priorities, and yes, even biases.
The reality is that agents probably also have favorites. They'll naturally prioritize clients who are consistently booking roles because those are the actors that are paying the bills. It's not a reflection of your talent or potential, but rather a natural consequence of the industry dynamics. Of course, your agent is your ally and advocate, but you have to understand that they have multiple responsibilities and can't solely focus on your individual career.
The only person who can afford to give your career 100% of their attention is you. By taking control of your own destiny, you can take the necessary steps to propel your career forward. You can invest time in marketing yourself effectively, building relationships, attending industry events, and seeking out new opportunities.
It's not about being at odds with your agent; it's about being an active participant in your own success. By maintaining a proactive mindset and taking charge of your career, you ensure that your goals and aspirations remain front and center. Your dedication and commitment to your craft will shine through, and ultimately, it's your passion and drive that will open doors and create opportunities.
If you want to know why some actors consistently book jobs, then check out “What Booking Actors Do That You Should Do, Too.”
The Working Actor
Once you’re paying jobs number enough to actually pay your rent, you’ve moved into The Working Actor Phase. Here you're looking to take everything to the next level. You aspire to secure better and bigger roles in notable productions. It might even be the time when you consider finding a new agent or manager who can further propel your career.
By the time you reach this phase, you have gained a deep sense of confidence and clarity about the kinds of roles you can excel in. You've identified your archetype, the core essences of your character, and have a clear understanding of the range of characters you can portray based on your unique qualities. You've already started the work of rebranding yourself to align with your career aspirations.
In every phase, it's crucial to ensure that all of your marketing materials accurately reflect where you want to go, not where you currently are (karaoke style). But in this phase, understanding that crucial distinction can mean the difference between consistently booking guest stars as opposed to co-stars. You get a lot more days as a guest star.
Also in this phase, networking should become even more strategic and intentional. You have learned the art of curating new relationships and nurturing existing ones. Your network comprises industry professionals who align with your career goals and can open doors to exciting opportunities. Even your social media presence is finely tuned to reflect your personal brand and career trajectory.
Now, despite your progress, it's important to acknowledge that challenges and moments of self-doubt might still arise. As the saying goes, "New level, new devil." But if you've reached this stage in your career, it's a testament to your resilience and willingness to do the work even when faced with the fear of failure or rejection.
Don’t Give Up
Just as in the other Phases, there are many levels to The Working Actor Phase. I don’t know about you but, at this stage in my life what I want is to be recognized and appreciated by my peers so that I always have my choice of projects to work on.
At least that’s how I feel right now. But success is like a carrot dangling just out of reach. With every step you take towards it, your idea of what it is changes, and so it always remains just out of reach. If someone had told me 9 years ago, I’d be a Working Actor again, I would have been thrilled but now that I’m here, I want more. I don’t dream of fame but I wouldn’t run away from it either.
Do I want to get to the Star Phase? It doesn’t keep me up at night but it’s not out of the realm of possibilities either.
That’s why I have a system in place that I can turn to when I’m unhappy with my agent, lack of auditions, or even the types of roles I’m being offered. If you’re interested in learning how to take control of your career then let’s chat. BTW, that’s a direct link to my calendar to book a one-on-one with me. We can have a conversation and see if you’d be a good fit for my program.
Until then, stay your bold and beautiful self.
Links Mentioned:
➡️ Ready to stop waiting for things to happen & to start making them happen instead? Here's a direct link to my calendar so we can chat to find out if you’re a good fit for my coaching program.
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