What People Get Wrong About Acting and What It Really Takes

When I tell people that I’m an actor, the first response is usually something along the lines of, “I’m so JEALOUS.” But, most people don’t realize that acting is less about being naturally talented and more about confidence, connection, being observant, and willing to grow through discomfort.

Acting starts long before you ever step onto a set. It begins with training and repetition. It’s the hours spent reading sides until the words stop sounding like lines and start sounding like thoughts. It’s taking classes, working odd jobs, learning about your expressions, your VOICE, your gestures, what makes you YOU.

What still surprises people is that acting is a business. You are the product, the marketing department, and the CEO of your own career. That means organizing your materials, constantly updating your reel, having a social media presence (eugh), auditioning constantly, maintaining your “look”, updating your headshots every year. It is a lot.

Success in this industry rarely happens overnight. We all hear the stories “Natalie Portman was discovered in a pizza shop!”, but what you don’t hear is that Natalie Portman was in theatre camps before that opportunity and was confident enough as an 11-year-old to impress an agent and casting director. You have to work at it, on it, under it. Acting is pretending, yeah, but it is also revealing parts of yourself that might feel “ugly” or raw. It’s you playing yourself if you were faced with your characters choices, history, and relationships. You have to feed your creative side by reading, going out into the world and experiencing real-life, that’s why method acting is so popular with actors. But, you can build that experience every day by trying new things. It’s good for your craft, and your soul.

Don’t be scared to be imperfect, but be bold enough to be yourself.