The author reflects on the career trajectory of Sydney Sweeney, noting her rise to fame began in 2018 after a decade of acting. They explore the lengthy paths to success for other actors, emphasizing that achieving recognition in the industry is rare and often takes years, encouraging patience in their own career journey.
I was contacted on Backstage about a month ago to submit for a short film project called Warrior in the Garden. I don't really do short films anymore as I feel I am past that in my career and short films no longer really benefit my career, but since the dayrate was decent, I decided … Continue reading The ‘Warrior in the Garden’ Shoot
Yesterday afternoon I got a notification on my phone from IMdB Pro that they had added more cast members to East of Eden. Whenever I audition for a role in a big movie or TV show, I follow the IMdB Pro and turn notifications on. Not all projects update in real time, but in this … Continue reading East of Eden Audition and Update
The actor recounts his Ford commercial audition and callback, expressing disappointment at not landing the role. Despite a strong audition, he suspects he lost out due to quota obligations favoring other ethnicities. Ultimately, he accepts this as part of the industry and celebrates his friend's daughter for securing the role.
When I started auditioning, the silence after auditions was tough. Most actors don't make it past the casting director, only a fraction advance. I once almost landed a role in a Kevin Bacon series but didn't. Not knowing anything or knowing I was close and didn't get it both suck, but being close is better. It tells me I'm doing something right.
The content discusses the importance of professionalism and good behavior on film sets. It highlights the impact of punctuality, preparedness, respect, focus, flexibility, positivity, collaboration, and patience for actors. It also emphasizes the benefits of being easy to work with and how it can lead to more opportunities in the film industry.
An actor shares experiences of friends accepting or rejecting roles based on personal values. The importance of understanding values, considering factors like content, and navigating tough decisions is highlighted. It emphasizes the power of saying no, growth, and building a lasting career by staying true to one's values and integrity.
New actors should prioritize building their skills, reel, and relationships over seeking big opportunities early on. Avoid scams and focus on quality over quantity for projects. Invest in good headshots, prioritize short films over features, and network with filmmakers. Understand your type and embrace it, and be cautious of unscrupulous agencies. Valuable exposure comes from reputable film festivals and proper training is essential.
I had an actor reach out to me about a year ago through DM. She wanted my opinion on a monologue she had done. When people ask me for my opinion, I am happy to give it, but I'm very straightforward and honest. As I was giving her my notes, which included her need to … Continue reading Embracing Critique: A Guide for Actors
The first time I experienced impostor syndrome was on my second short film, Braised. The film revolves around a family of a father, mother and daughter. It was on the second day of shooting when I met the woman playing my wife. She was very sweet and nice and we got along well, but when … Continue reading Impostor Syndrome in My Acting Journey
Simon Shih 