Acting

Thank You so much, Nicola, for sharing with me that story. I am so thankful to meet you here, cause I feel super close to You, cause my story is really similar somehow. I love You from the moment I felt I want hear that story. I really appreciate a meeting with You. How can I work with You? how can I be around You as well? so close to germany when I think about your approach to life ( I live currently in wroclaw In Poland, so here is few hours and my first concert, solo concert which I made was in berlin as well :)). hope to see you soon

Robert – thank you so much!

Julia – your message truly touched me.

Julia – your message truly touched me.

Hey, Khari Telesford. I've been thinking about making a website.

Ryan OL it's reassuring to hear this, that audience's find it hard to suspend disbelief, that AI cannot fully replicate the emotional resonance of human creativity. I like to think that creativity comes from the soul in which case it makes sense that a soul-less computer cannot have the same impact on our human souls

Philip David Lee I like what you say here, "We move towards what moves us to achieve."

Alexandra Stevens it's an always evolving calling. Lately I've been interviewing mid-career creative professionals to understand better where people's challenges lie to further refine the processes I've been developing. It's fascinating how many similarities there are amongst creative pros of all fields.

Craig Estrella now you've piqued my interest. What are some of the similarities? Burnout being one i guess?

Alexandra Stevens The thing about burnout is that it is a multi-headed hydra. It can be a result of too much on one's plate or simply not having a time management process that works for one's own situation. Add to that when someone works on highly complex creations and your head can start spinning.

But a big component of the burnout portion is focus. And focus can be a result of being neurodivergent or having ADHD (both of which are sooooo common amongst creative minds) that it leads to not only overwhelm but procrastination. And then when the procrastination meets deadlines, it can turn into yet another fire leading towards burnout.

But there are so many aspects of communication, collaboration, and expectations management skills in conjunction with balancing being creative, productive, and also having a personal life that is fulfilling where so many creatives struggle. Especially those who work in isolated roles like writing where the start of your gauge of "success" (whatever one defines for themselves) is only starting at the point where you think you're basically done.

I think the biggest struggles that creatives face aren't connected to their creativity in the least. It's all the other stuff that makes achieving results seem insurmountable... when in the end, most people just need a way of keeping that stuff in motion without it feeling like it's taking over.

Craig Estrella I agree with all the reasons you give for burnout. I think having too much on one's plate can also be as result of not receiving enough support. It's important that you also acknowledged that neurodivergence can be.a factor. As a therapist `i would also add that unhelpful parts like critical part, perfectionist part or 'fear of failure' part amongst others can also contribute to burnout.

Ashley Renee Smith I like how RB simplifies it, 'it's just about discipline and repetition'. So true! This week i'm still preparing for my acting show case. I go over my lines every night and plan to spend 2-3 evenings this week answering Uta Hagen's questions about my character and thinking about how to embody her. I definitely think it is about doing a little bit every day, even if all i can manage is 15 mins

Well said.... The key is accomplishing one thing a day, but consistently and before you know it you've achieved your goal. It is the micro-goals that lead us to the big goals. Especially in screenwriting , because we have those days when we are on top of the mountain, but we can be sure that it will be many valley experiences as well. The days when we don't feel like writing and enduring the mental and physical pressure, and the countless hours that it takes daily to face a blank sheet of paper. It is at those moments where the real, deep, work is done, and we must be determined to "show up" for ourselves.

Absolutely, Mone't Bradley, you nailed it. Showing up, even on the days when the inspiration isn’t flowing, is what builds real momentum. Screenwriting asks so much of us emotionally and mentally, but those micro-goals, that quiet daily discipline, are what carry us through the valleys and eventually lead to finished pages and powerful stories.

Alexandra Stevens, Fifteen minutes a day may not feel like much in the moment, but that steady, focused effort builds into something really meaningful over time. Rooting for you as you prepare for your showcase. Sounds like you’re laying a strong foundation!

Aww thank you Ashley Renee Smith

Wyman Brent how fascinating to read your reply and how your creativity breakthrough started. With regard to the eco system, "what formats have you already developed content in — just the song, or have you also written scripts, stories, visuals, etc.?

Alexandra Stevens, thank you so much. All of my songs are sync ready and available in MP3 and WAV formats. I own all rights. Some of the songs were designed specifically for the various TV shows and films. However, the vast majority are songs that are perfect for recording by major recording artists. I was twice a college radio DJ, a nightclub DJ, helped set up concerts at a music venue, and had around 7,000 albums in my personal collection. I know music. Some of the songs are perfect for major ad campaigns.

I have written out full treatments for all four TV shows and films. Each can be totally script ready to go in a few days. That is just how my brain works. I have visuals, loglines, some scripts for the TV shows, and developing scripts for the films. I have three planned animated series which are totally family friendly. I also have one gritty live action crime drama. Plus, the four films. I would love to tell you more if you are interested.

Wyman Brent I would say keep on doing what you're doing, getting involved, networking etc, maybe writing a blog post. You may already have received these links but they are helpful too: https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-importance-of-community-and-collaboration-in-the-television-

and-film-industry-3984

https://www.stage32.com/blog/7-tips-to-make-your-stage-32-profile-work-f...

Also if you have specific stuff to promote then you could use 'Your Stage'

I will also reply to your dm

Alexandra Stevens, thank you. I will most definitely keep getting involved. I will be taking part in Introduce Yourself Week. I made sure to put on a name tag so that I do not forget who I am. I also will bring chocolates and pastries to bribe everyone. I will send you a dm and some other letters of the alphabet today.

LMAO! Thank you for the morning laugh. Was not expecting to take the time to read this and see that you told him you'd be just fine giving your wife the magic instead. Where I'm from in Youngstown, you would get along with people.

As for repairing the relationship, likely not. Don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Use it as a learning experience, so it doesn't happen again. Also, "this person is well known in casting circles" everybody in this industry writes four giant paragraphs on their bio about how they're well known. Maybe they are, maybe they aren't, but you're completely fine. This is totally the industry where they huddle up in a corner and talk smack about you with their friends, but something this small isn't the end of the world and you have an excuse, you have anxiety.

I have severe anxiety, too. I blurt out jokes without thinking how they're written or said and then I'm confused when people react a certain way. You can't control this, and you can't control that people don't understand this. What you can, do, though, is adjust. Next time this happens, sigh, apologize, and be brutally honestly about your anxiety. You may be surprised to find the other person shifts their demeanor because they have it, too. Happens all the time. 33% roughly of Americans are assumed to have anxiety. That's one out of three people. Stand between two people, look left and right...one of you probably has it.

Good luck and I'm glad you dropped the one liner of the year on this guy who thinks he's high and mighty.

Sorry you weren't a Final Girl, Suzanne Bronson. :D Glad it led to a lasting relationship!

I may have been final girl, I don't know. I definitely was the catalyst in to the realization there is a serial killer of homeless women. ;)

Thank you so much, Suzanne. I really appreciate the way you share such wonderful and personal information here so we can all learn from you. Thanks again.

Aaron Marcus I applaud you deciding to turn down those jobs. I wonder how it that you decided to do that now after so long of not turning down jobs? What came to mind to me is how much self-worth. Whilst I haven't turned down any acting jobs, I have recently been turning down coaching clients who want to pay by insurers who will not honour my full fee. Like Suzanne Bronson I believe I have to stay true to my own worth if I want to attract abundance. When i'm ever in a position to start looking for acting jobs (when my kids are a bit older) let's see if I have the same ethos

Thank you, Alexandra. One of the reasons for accepting just about every job that was offered was to make sure I earned enough for both insurance and to reach the amount needed to receive a pension. Once the pension goal was achieved, I was able to relax a little.

As a Union actor, it is really hard to receive a pension. There are a some exceptions, but it typically takes 10 years of earning a specific amount per year. That is very hard to do. So, that is one of the reasons why I felt a little more comfortable turning things down.

Alexandra, I always love ready your ideas and thoughts.

Aaron Marcus that makes sense. As a self-employed person I know how illusive that pension can feel It's refreshing and inspiring to read about an actor who has worked as much as you and gained a pension as a result. Im glad i know you and thanks for your kind words.

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Brittany Christine I appreciate your post. I feel like i'm learning more about the industry upon reading it which prepares me for what is ahead. I'm currently preparing for a role as the female lead in a play. It's part of my acting training and will lead to a showcase with agents present. Obviously i'm not getting paid, i'm paying for the training. So it's not the same scenario as what you described but I guess the boundaries question is the same. Learning lines, and rehearsing with my scene partner takes up a lot of time but at the same time I could potentially get an agent out of it. In this particular case it's about putting a boundary around the stuff I have to do to pay the rent and then following my heart and energy as to how much time to spend on the acting prep

Alexandra Stevens having boundaries is so important in all aspects of life and career, and yes I am the same way with the things I have to do for paying rent as well because often times many non creative jobs will ask you to work more than what's paid for, but if there is no incentive or room to negotiate to get to where both parties are comfortable, there is no real reason for one to do any extra work

Brittany Christine, This is such a thoughtful and real breakdown of what it means to balance passion, professionalism, and practicality, especially when working with student filmmakers. You’ve clearly learned to advocate for yourself while still remaining open to meaningful collaboration, and that’s such a valuable mindset to share.

I love how you’ve created your own system for weighing the potential benefits of a project beyond the paycheck. Your approach, asking the right questions, setting expectations, and protecting your time, is such a healthy example of boundary-setting that doesn’t burn bridges.

"Has a writer’s clarity—or lack of it—ever made your job easier or harder?" I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone has to say, Ashley Renee Smith! They'll help me make an actor's job easier and help me get better at writing.

Ashley Renee Smith I found this article really enlightening and plan to share it with my acting buddies

Another great article. I must confess I was unfamiliar with this word when I first saw it, on my notes from my screenwriting consultant. But the more that I practice is the better that I understood the process. In many ways it is vital to telling great stories.

Alexandra Stevens thanks for the welcoming and for being friends on the gram! Stage 32 is awesome, I have heard about it for years and can't believe I hadn't joined til now! It was perfect timing because I had a little time between jobs and am wanting to hopefully get some more work through meeting people on the platform.

I also welcome you to the wonderful world of acting! But I warn you, it's super addicting! The longer the gaps between gigs, the more you value booking, the more bookings you get, the more you value better quality ones, the more you get better quality ones, the more you want to start creating your own like those too etc. It always keeps me on my toes. I'm excited to see your journey with it too, you never know what could happen

i totally get how that can be awkward! I think I'd just smile and say, Not yet, but hopefully soon! It keeps things positive and shows confidence without sounding arrogant.

Brittany Christine thanks for your encouraging words :)

Suzanne Bronson yah if someone were to ask me to perform a monologue at a social gathering I would have to say at that point, "oh cuz acting is a cheap party trick?" sarcastically and see their response. I have said before, "what am I a dancing monkey? What is this, dance monkey, dance?" and everyone laughed it off because I wasn't saying it rudely, I was saying it funny whilst making the person feel foolish for asking. The difference is I didn't want anything out of that person and they couldn't offer me anything, so if they're going to be weird, I can match energy easy, its just improv lol

Aya Elkhal wise beyond your years, thank you for reading and contributing to the conversation! PS I think it's so cool you are a member of stage 32 at your age, I started getting into acting around the same time as you and finding resources was more difficult because they always had to be in person with local acting groups or private teachers since there was nothing like this out there yet. So kudos for being curious and productive about the craft, this is a great way to research and study :D

Hear hear! We're all in this together and have so much to learn from each other

Bumping this up. Still waiting...