The acting industry is extremely competitive, with many talented actors vying for a limited number of roles. There is intense competition not only for leading roles but also for supporting parts. Actors must compete against hundreds or even thousands of others at auditions. Only a tiny fraction end up being cast. Knowing this, I have resolved to myself that I would do anything and everything I can to be successful in this business.
Luckily, there aren’t many actors who have my look, but if there were, I would make sure that I had more drive and training than them. No one will outwork me. That’s why I am constantly trying to improve my craft. Acting classes, reading, practicing monologues. I just signed up with a dialect coach. I am getting more and more auditions for immigrants and foreigners and I want to be more believable with a Chinese and Japanese accent.
When I first started a year ago, my biggest worry was being typecast. I was afraid I would always get roles as the Chinese waiter. That didn’t happen, but if it did, I would do those roles as long as I had to to break into the business.
I go to the gym 4-5 times a week to stay in shape. I know my casting type and I want to keep it that type for as long as possible. It’s also the reason I cook for myself and eat as clean as possible. A local photographer offered to do casting specific photos for me in March, so I am in the process of losing 15 pounds to hit my target weight for the photos.
For my first 6 months in Atlanta, I networked my ass off. I went to every networking event I could find that had anything to do with the entertainment industry. I rarely go to these anymore, but I still meet people regularly through social media and have functions for artists at my house.
I have spoken to so many actors who make excuses:
“I don’t like to go to bars so I can’t network.”
“I don’t have time to update my social media regularly.”
” I don’t want to spend the money on ________.”
“I’m too tired to commit.”
I am not an extrovert (quite the opposite), but over the years, I have learned and forced myself to be one. It’s the way to get ahead in life. If something is important to you and has value to you, then you make time and figure out a way to make it financially possible. It reminds me of that guy/girl who tells you that they are too busy to spend time with you. If you were important to them, they would make the time.
I am driven because failure is not an option. I might be obsessed with acting.
Simon Shih 