Sunday, April 20, 2014

Lets SHIFT!

Speaking to Anger & Frustration

Lately I've come across some ANGER & FRUSTRATION about this Industry and this Business. As many of your know, I cast Feature Films, TV,  Biopics and short films. I also attend, Workshops to give audition technique, instruction and witness up coming talent. I truly enjoy attending workshops! They are Educational, inspirational and informative for me and all who attend. I enjoy my work as well. 

From time to time, I have come across Anger and Frustration and lately its been MAJOR!  Whoa!!

So somebody tell me what is going on?  

Firstly, I met a man in one of my workshops who was Angry from the Moment it Started.. I asked the group of 24 or so "What Do You Want?" he yelled out.. I Want My Shot!! I replied.. "You've got your shot! You are in the room with a Casting Director! This IS your shot.  His Anger and Frustration was palpable. Next up the scenes. He was First and while in the scene, his Anger/Frustration prevailed, so much so, the scene was ineffective due to the lack of emotional availability. His inability to showcase his objective and therefore, access his substitutional circumstance lead to a Loud Angry Scene that evoked NO FEELING other than those of Confusion and Fear.

Secondly, I have come across a number of VERY Angry emails with regards to Auditioning for certain roles. One young lady started off with Adoration of my work, her Love of God and how she was BORN to play this particular Role.. When I did not comply with her wishes of granting her an Audition.. She became Quite ANGRY!! Cursing and Vowing that I will not stop her in her endeavors. Whew... and Thank God. I Don't want that kind of Emotional Instability on my set. Would you like it on Yours? Someone who can flip at any moment?? Nope... Not if I can Help it! 

Good Strong Mental Health is Truly an Asset a Blessing. I work towards that Every Day! I'm open to the work that comes for me.. Even if it doesn't look like what I hoped or dreamt it would look like. I'm open to the process. 

What I want.. is Finite! What God has for me, for us, is Infinite! The Possibilities are Infinite! 

ARE YOU TRULY OPEN TO WHAT YOU SAY, YOU BELIEVE?  Even if it does NOT Look Like what YOU want it to Look Like? Hmmm??

I remember having this anger/frustration many years ago.. Its my YOU GOT SERVED story. Look out for it in my book! 

'Stomp the Yard was a Dream Job but not my ONLY job. I was Born for More.. Much More!! I'm evolving! I continue to Grow. Not because I have everything I ever wanted.. Because I Do Not! Thankfully.

Acting should be your Passion! Not just portraying One character or Role. Something you Love. Something you work towards. Something you THIRST for. Whether it be Shakespeare in the Park, School Plays, Short Films, Indies, Studio Features, Television, Conservatory, Broadway, Off Broadway.. etc. 

Look at all the Wonderful Women Angela Bassett has portrayed:
Tina Turner
Rosa Parks
Katherine Jackson
Corretta Scott King
Dr. Betty Shabazz
A First Lady of the Church
A Mother 
A Wife

Denzel Washington has portrayed:
Malcolm X
Rubin Hurricane Carter
Frank Lucas
Melvin B. Tolson
An Angel sent by God (Preachers Wife) 
Steven Biko (Cry Freedom)
A Private in the Army (Twice) 
Lieutenant in the Navy (Twice)
A Trumpet Player

You Job is to Breathe Life and for some of you.. it may evolve into Writing, Creating & Telling Stories.

Imani Hakim was not just Born to play Gabby Douglas. She was Great in it at the time. I'm sure there is more for her.

Jamaal Woolard was not just Born to play Christopher "Biggie" Wallace. He was Great in it at the time. I'm sure there is more for him. And So on and So On.

You may be looking to this industry.. For Validation?? For FAME?  For Acknowledgement? For Love? For "I Told You So"? For Money? To Buy Your Mama a House? To Buy Yourself a House? 

If you are not getting what you want. Maybe you need to Shift your perspective. 

Wow!! What a Shot you have. To Inspire, To Learn, To Grow. It is an Evolution.. In time we all evolve. Prayerfully towards the Good! Take your time..Work towards inner happiness. Read and Learn about this Business. Enjoy the Steps because they inform the next Step. This is what I have gleaned. 

Continuing to Shift My Perspective.

Be Well.. Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually... BE WELL!!

8 comments:

Alexis Treadwell said...

WOW!! Amen!! Thank you for sharing this word today! On Easter Sunday, a day of rebirth. You've reminded me of the importance of being strong and positive. Everyday I strive to stay positive and be a light in this world, as I love depositing into others. It's not about US! "Our job is to breath life, to inspire, to learn, to grow...ARE YOU TRULY OPEN TO WHAT YOU SAY, YOU BELIEVE? Even if it does NOT Look Like what YOU want it to Look Like? Hmmm??"~ LOVE THIS!! Thank you, I hope you're having a wonderful Easter Sunday! Stay Blessed! ~Alexis

Richard Mayede said...

Hi Twinkie,

Very positive words you wrote, and I believe what you said applies to anything one tries to achieve in life. I'll be 46 in 2 weeks and have had Parkinson's for 9 years, and I completely resonated with your statement, "Wow!! What a Shot you have. To Inspire, To Learn, To Grow. It is an Evolution.. In time we all evolve. Prayerfully towards the Good! Take your time..Work towards inner happiness." I do not allow myself to feel pity nor be sad. I see my challenge as an opportunity to inspire!

Professionally, I'm in digital marketing, and I'm getting more and more involved in directing. I love it! Also, because of my marketing background I've had the opportunity to support a few actors in their social marketing efforts and also assist in managing their careers.

One actor I am helping in Canada is Michasha Armstrong. He wants to get more substantial roles that will allow him to show his acting ability versus his physicality. In Vancouver, there are just not many men of color that are his size and can act, yet often he gets the secondary 'tough guy' roles. Definitely he appreciates the steady stream of income, but he needs/wants to stretch! So, I encourage him and together we're developing strategies. From reading what you wrote, I agree wholeheartedly with your statement: "If you are not getting what you want. Maybe you need to Shift your perspective.
" We will shift our perspective, look at what we need to enhance/change/strengthen/support and I am positive, one day soon he will make it in to an audition in front of your eyes. I was brought up to believe that we decide our future and nothing is impossible. I live and breathe with this positive nature!

Your blog is a great read. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Best Regards,

Richard Mayede

Alex Fortywest Gibbs said...

Great motivational message. I’m from the country and it reminds me of the saying "Thank God for both the doors that he has opened and doors that he closes." What God has for me is for me and as a actor / r&b artist I can’t get distracted nor detoured by looking at the paths that others were blessed with. All we can do as a creative people is move forward in FAITH, and look for that window that God has purposely left open for us to enter through. (THANK GOD for the WINDOW) As you stated, being mad and frustrated isn't going to book the job nor move you forward however studying, attending acting, being open to take critiques’ will take you leaps and bounds on the audition field. For me, I find the ability to remain mentally and spiritually in check by being grateful for the opportunities that I have whether big or small and by being open and willing to give to others, even when I genuinely don’t have it or want to. I attended the FCBC conference yesterday where you moderated as well as pulled "Pearls" of Knowledge to the surface. Your honesty there led me here. I’m a man, so I’m not about to wear no pearls but thank you for the diamonds of wisdom. Alex Fortywest Gibbs

Alex Gibbs said...

Great motivational message. I’m from the country and it your post reminds me of the saying "Thank God for both the doors that he has opened and doors that he has closed." What God has for me, is for me, and as a actor / r&b artist I can’t get distracted nor detoured by looking at the paths that others were blessed with. All we can do as a creative people is move forward in FAITH, and look for that window that God has purposely left open for our entry. (THANK GOD for the WINDOW) As you stated, being mad and frustrated isn't going to book the job nor move you forward however studying, attending ACTING CLASS, being open to take critiques’ will take you leaps and bounds on the audition field. For me, I find the ability to remain mentally and spiritually in check by being grateful for the opportunities that I have whether big or small and by being open and willing to give to others, even when I genuinely don’t have it or want to. I attended the FCBC conference yesterday where you moderated as well as pulled "Pearls" of Knowledge to the surface. Your honesty there led me here. I’m a man, so I’m not about to wear no pearls but thank you for the diamonds of wisdom. Alex Gibbs

Anonymous said...

This is a good story to show its not alway rainbows and butterflies. You do have to keep a level head and have an understanding that it takes time to get a role you really want. Even if it doesn't pan out, there are still many productions to be made and roles to be filled. Staying honest with yourself is the core to a good life. I enjoyed reading your blogs, you're right information is everything
-Alex_w____

Unknown said...

I enjoy reading your posts and seeing a glimpse into the life of a casting director. I know many out there are looking for casting opportunities to either live out their dreams or to make a little extra cash. I've always wanted to be an extra in a movie. I hope one day I can find casting opportunities near me.

http://casting-spot.com/about.php

Unknown said...

Woooww!!! Tracy After reading this I feel like I know a little more about you. You're not just some hidden, unreachable casting director, you're a person and I'm soooo happy you have taken the time to reach out to us actors/artist and share your thoughts & experiences. So many things you shared in this blog hit home for me specifically "Education Never Ends" (Be Thirsty For Knowledge) as I have been debating on joining a two year acting program in NYC. Also "Build relationships & be strategic, sometimes us actors RUSH & don't think, in hopes to get to our dreams faster smh. I know I have been guilty of that just a few days ago, thank you for reminding me to take my time & breath. I am really looking forward to reading your book and I can't wait until you come to New York for a work shop or casting! Until then please continue to blog & be FABULOUS.

Sophia Ayaan said...

"Your Job is to Breathe Life and for some of you.. it may evolve into Writing, Creating & Telling Stories." There couldn't be words more true. Thank you for this post. I've just come back to NYC from L.A and am currently in a very introspective season of my life. While I may not be running around town performing or being "seen" I am finding beauty in rest and in all of the other ways God has called me to Breathe Life. I'm writing poetry, taking walks, listening, observing, enjoying tastes and sounds... simply being.
Most of us get into this business because we have type A personalities. I used to be a ballet dancer and so most of my worth was determined on how hard I fought or how far I pushed. We actors fight so hard and strive strive strive forgetting all the while that our job is to simply be. To be, gracefully. Gently. To breathe life into characters. If we can't simply be we won't be able to truly play. We spend so much time adjusting the rhythm of our breath to please others (lord knows I have) but our breath must be authentically our own so we can breathe, genuinely, into the many stories we are blessed to tell. Thank you for this Tracy. Your blog is fuel during this time of rest! Big hugs. Sophia. www.sophiaayaan.com