This is my third or fourth or fifth or something-ith attempt to start and finish a new blog post in the past few weeks since I wrote my last one. I keep trying to get my thoughts down about the career anxiety I've been feeling lately, and that is a lot to unpack. Let's talk about some other things.
Exercise! Going well! I've been working out a lot, consistently hitting the gym at least three times per week, sometimes four or five, and gotten a few comments on the results from people who know me. Boom! Results! Amiright?! It really does feel good though being able appreciate tangible improvement in my physical appearance and overall state of mind. Normally this is a time of year where I get kinda depressed, but that's been less the case this year, I chalk a lot of that to the endorphins from all the exercise.
I haven't been keeping up with my "play a week" goal as much as I would have hoped, but I'd forgotten plays were kind of expensive and time can become scarce and knowing what to see can be challenging, because a lot of stuff isn't very good. I am seeing Three Viewings at New Rep this week, having throughly enjoyed Collected Stories and reading a very positive review of the piece at Hub Review (a source I generally rely upon, certainly if Thomas Garvey says something is good it probably is since he is a tough critic, an aspect of his work I respect don't get me wrong).
Next week though Vanya will be full swing, and seeing things will becoming even more difficult. First world problem! I've had some fun this past week standing in for John Kuntz as Uncle Vanya, since he's been otherwise occupied and the director has wanted to work a few of his scenes for the benefit of my fellow actors. God damn do I enjoy Chekov! I can't wait to start work on this play in earnest, even though my participation will primarily be from the sidelines.
A new development this week has been my girlfriend and I watching movies together in the evenings. We've fallen into a habit of watching TV together, particularly Food Network and a few comedies we both enjoy (It's Always Sunny, 30 Rock, Community, Modern Family) but this weekend she wanted to watch a movie together, so I looked at what's come out in the past year or two that I had meant to see but didn't get a chance, and oh Bridesmaids I'd meant to see that, for example, and it was very entertaining. The next night we watched I Love You Phillip Morris, starring Jim Carrey as a gay con man, which was also quite good and then last night was 50/50, also enjoyable. It's definitely worthwhile as an actor to keep up to date with what's happening in cinema, to see potential cracks and angles one could exploit to one's advantage, because basically the film industry is much more likely to try and repeat a past success then break new ground, so you want to know what's being successful.
This kind of brings me around to my career anxiety. I've been thinking maybe pursuing film is the way to go. Certainly if I can establish myself as a film and television actor, I'll be able to bypass a lot of bull shit towards doing theatre on the East Coast, and also make a lot more money. I also kind of like the longer lasting nature of film work. Our Town was such a good play, it was a really fantastic production. But anyone who didn't see it's run this fall won't get a chance to experience it, you see what I mean? That's kind of sad. And also beautiful.
Anyway, I'm envisioning one potential inroad to agents, managers, casting directors, etc will be to pitch myself as a Seth Rogen type because clearly I don't look like Joseph Gordon Leavit but I do have strong chops at comedy and improv. Going west is going to be pointless probably until Crooked Arrows actually comes out, however and knowing where to go from there is what's causing me this anxiety. I might try New York at the same time, just to see what happens. Inevitably I'll probably have representation in both markets. Wow the future is scary and exciting. Wish me luck.
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