SUPPORT by Neil Schell     07-09-07 Every actor needs support. Without it an actor flounders. Support is not always an obvious statement like “I totally believe in you and your acting career and will do everything in my power to make you a star!” Sometimes it is very subtle. Regardless of what form it takes, it is a required element of success. For, without it, an actor tends to erode into oblivion. Don’t get the idea that I think actors are needy human beings who can’t accomplish anything on their own. Quite the contrary. What I am suggesting here is that an actor needs to surround themselves with people who are supportive in their quest for the holiest of grails, work and lots of it! For example, an agent who believes in you and your career is essential. Steer away from agents who think acting and the film business are just “club” activities. That’s amateur. Look up “amateur” in the dictionary. It’s someone who does something as a hobby. Most who get involved with activitie! s as hobbies, usually end up joining some sort of club. So if you feel your agent and agency is kind of a social club where more talk about acting happens than actual work, take a second look. It’s not their fault. It’s just where they are at. It’s a limited way of thinking that is not supportive of your true desires. How can an agent support you if they can’t see you playing lead roles in feature films? Here you are envisioning yourself playing lead characters in movies and the person who “represents” you envisions you working in a few features playing actor roles and hopes that someday soon you’ll book that big US national commercial and rake in $60,000. What they are envisioning doesn’t align with what you are envisioning. Now, don’t get the crazy notion to go out and fire your agent because you feel they aren’t supporting you. If you do feel there is a lack of support, the first thing to do would be to talk to them about your dreams and goals and see if they are on the same page. If they keep trying to “bring you down to earth” then they just can’t have the fact that you are what you say you are. That’s their problem, not yours. But if they’re a good agent and truly supportive, they will fully believe in you and actually see more in you than you do in yourself. Support doesn’t just come from agents. It comes from spouses, family members, teachers, coaches, managers, directors, and so on. An actor has to earn support through diligent application of their talent and the continuous improvement of their work. And, an actor has to ensure that those who just refuse to support them are given less attention and time. Relationships with people who do not support you and what you are doing with your life will drag you down into the muck. Refusal of support can be subtle as well. It’s not always a statement like “Why don’t you quite that silly acting stuff?” It can come in other ways li! ke “Honey, you should concentrate on a more secure job.” And is always justified with a statement like “I’m just trying to help.” But in the end it is you who has to stick to your dreams and make them real. It’s your love of acting and your passion to tell great stories with the medium of film that will see you through anything. Persist. Until the next newsletter… Neil PS Feel 'free' to write to me at  anytime. I will answer. PROFESSIONALS HAVE COACHES, AMATEURS DON'T