(I'm sure Tiff'll have things to add to this.) I don't really have any words of encouragement. The point of getting a degree, in anything, is so that you can get some kind of half-decent paying job if what you want to do doesn't work out. About 30% of college graduates actually do what they majored in. In the world of acting, a degree is worth spit. I know you dropped a lot of money on it, but the only thing a BA is good for is getting a master's. The only reason to get a master's (In acting, in tech it's different) is if A) you want to do serious Shakesperean acting (you may have to leave Myrtle Beach for that one), or 2) if you want to teach, or want to be able to fall back on teaching. That's it. A degree will not put you in better consideration than anyone else when it comes to casting. MAYBE, if the role comes down to you and one other guy and you're both equally talented and bring exactly the same things to the roles, there is no difference except that you have a degree and he doesn't, maybe it'll be a factor. That's the honest truth. The bachelor's degree just says you're too good to work at McDonald's. A Master's says you're too good for waiting tables or secretarial work. A doctorate says you are pertentious. (This is just in the acting world, by the way) In the tech world, you need a master's if you're going to get so much as an internship. My words of encouragement to you, should you take them that way, is get the hell out of myrtle beach. There is nothing there for you. There are castles all over the country. There's one in north jersey. You could live up there and work on a real acting career in NYC. There are tons of theater cities all over the country, all of which are more than abundant in dinner theater. Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Dallas, hell, even Atlanta is better than MB. Sure, living costs will probably be higher elsewhere, but you'll have more chances to make money. As for taking another job, welcome to the world of acting. I don't know a single actor who doesn't have more than one job. Hell, i live rent-free with my parents covering 90% of my expenses and i still have 2 part time jobs out side of acting. You think i like working as a carpenter? Sure, i love the work, but my wrist is a wreck and i've got my dad breathing down my neck every 5 minutes to join the caprenters' union. Sometimes it sounds a hell of a lot easier. I have more than enough experience. I could join the union, get my own place, settle down. Man, that sounds so much easier than what i'm doing now! I could also gouge out my eyes with an ice pick. We're not in this business for money or because it's easy. We're in it because we love it. And if you love something, you sometimes have to make sacrifices for it- take another job, move somewhere else, whatever. I hope the folks at work get off your back, and just remember: the easier they have it, the less prepared they'll be for the real world. :)
You've always been the Yin to my Yang...witchking81November 28 2005, 14:01:31 UTC
Y'know, your post made me smile, and honestly, you make a lot of sense in what you say. Im doing this because i love it, and i realise that may mean i need to leave. In the same vein, i talked with my mom today and she and i both agree that perhaps i need to look into MFA-ish endeavors so i can teach college...i HATED teaching high school, but college is much different. Ive had my eye on SCAD for a long time, so maybe, maybe... And yeah, i can use that as my day job honestly, while i act at night or something. I dunno...but at any rate, your words of infinite wisdom beyond your years lightened my spirits. Well, that and you made me laugh out loud 3 times, and i really needed that.
But by all means, if anyone else wants to weigh in, feel free!
I don't really have any words of encouragement. The point of getting a degree, in anything, is so that you can get some kind of half-decent paying job if what you want to do doesn't work out. About 30% of college graduates actually do what they majored in. In the world of acting, a degree is worth spit. I know you dropped a lot of money on it, but the only thing a BA is good for is getting a master's. The only reason to get a master's (In acting, in tech it's different) is if A) you want to do serious Shakesperean acting (you may have to leave Myrtle Beach for that one), or 2) if you want to teach, or want to be able to fall back on teaching. That's it. A degree will not put you in better consideration than anyone else when it comes to casting. MAYBE, if the role comes down to you and one other guy and you're both equally talented and bring exactly the same things to the roles, there is no difference except that you have a degree and he doesn't, maybe it'll be a factor. That's the honest truth. The bachelor's degree just says you're too good to work at McDonald's. A Master's says you're too good for waiting tables or secretarial work. A doctorate says you are pertentious. (This is just in the acting world, by the way) In the tech world, you need a master's if you're going to get so much as an internship.
My words of encouragement to you, should you take them that way, is get the hell out of myrtle beach. There is nothing there for you. There are castles all over the country. There's one in north jersey. You could live up there and work on a real acting career in NYC. There are tons of theater cities all over the country, all of which are more than abundant in dinner theater. Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Dallas, hell, even Atlanta is better than MB. Sure, living costs will probably be higher elsewhere, but you'll have more chances to make money.
As for taking another job, welcome to the world of acting. I don't know a single actor who doesn't have more than one job. Hell, i live rent-free with my parents covering 90% of my expenses and i still have 2 part time jobs out side of acting. You think i like working as a carpenter? Sure, i love the work, but my wrist is a wreck and i've got my dad breathing down my neck every 5 minutes to join the caprenters' union. Sometimes it sounds a hell of a lot easier. I have more than enough experience. I could join the union, get my own place, settle down. Man, that sounds so much easier than what i'm doing now! I could also gouge out my eyes with an ice pick. We're not in this business for money or because it's easy. We're in it because we love it. And if you love something, you sometimes have to make sacrifices for it- take another job, move somewhere else, whatever.
I hope the folks at work get off your back, and just remember: the easier they have it, the less prepared they'll be for the real world. :)
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But by all means, if anyone else wants to weigh in, feel free!
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