How hard is it to get any advice as an actor without paying through the nose for it? It's sad how few places there are for actors to network with each other without costing $$$ every time you want to advance your career or ask someone's advice.

 

Personally, my financial output in the name of my acting career over the past 22 years has been over $70,000 with formal schooling, hundreds of headshots and publicity photos, mailings, workshops, wardrobe, coaching, money for networking opportunities (parties to meet people), gifts to agents and casting directors, travel & transportation costs to festivals, auditions, resumes, business cards, demo costs, online promotion (casting sites that are now necessary if you'd like to be submitted by your agent), ongoing classes, and soooo much more!

 

It's so frustrating how many people in this industry have absolutely no morals when it comes to taking money from hopeful actors. How many of us have been sweet-talked into spending HUNDREDS or even THOUSANDS of dollars simply by being told we're pretty or handsome or talented or by having someone dangle that carrot of 'Fame and Fortune' in front of our noses? I have...

 

I've been there more times than I would like to remember. I have been so desperate to prove my talent that I would have gladly wasted my monthly food budget on a casting director workshop in hopes of landing that big role...

 

Seriously, I have made pretty much every mistake actors make before many simply crumble to the financial strain, the family pressure to settle down and get a respectable job, or just the sheer frustration and mental exhaustion associated with this career. Let us know about your experiences by leaving a comment...

 

Listen in if you'd like to hear some unsolicited, no strings attached advice... Feel free to comment if you have something to add, would like to share an interesting story, or if you disagree with anything said. My hope for this site is for it to create dialogue and perhaps some change, but mostly a place where we can all learn and grow as a result of each other’s experiences.

 

If there's something said here that saves you from making a $10,000 mistake, or helps you avoid doing something that sets your career back 5 years, or maybe jump starts your career and saves you five or ten years of pounding the pavement... then my work here is done... In the meantime, Keep on Breakin’ Legs!!

 

Cheers!

 

Dave Stuart