Is following dreams worth it?

[The Ringer]

I usually don't like to start the personal thread crap but I know there are quite a few people out in Cali who are somewhat in and know there stuff on this board. I completed my first year of college this year and just did not feel satisfied doing the typical thing. For the longest time I have just wanted to move out there and try and build of my dream job as an actor or something along that line because I really don't want to spend thousands of dollars in school for something I am gonna hate. Comments, concerns,insider info would be much appreciated and housing tips would be mucho appreciated, and if anyone is looking for a roomie hit me up. Hard good looking worker right here.(with a great voice )

 

[Darth Caedus]

Well, living in LA, I do hear that all the time, which isn't a bad thing, we just know how hard it is. In all honestly, it would be a pretty good move to have something to fall back on if you don't make it, not saying you wouldn't, but I have friends who have spent 10 trying and they have nothing to fall back on.

So I would go to college, save up your $$$, then move out here. If it doesn't work out, at least you got that college degree.

 

[karamazov80]

I can't speak to your specific situation, but I do think people should make compromises in life--do something you can enjoy, but that can also pay the bills. Personally, I think it's a bad idea to go too far in either direction--either working purely for money, or doing purely what you want with no consideration for how much you might make. Trying to be an actor, to me, seems way too risky. The chances of making it there are pretty low. Maybe better to get a degree where you are able to make a decent living, then do acting on the weekends and in your free time. Maybe you will make it big, but if not, you won't be waiting tables the rest of your life.

 

[ChrisCJ99]

Hey Ringer

I've posted a thread about this as well, and I've got some pretty great responses: https://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66079

But overall, it's just a time that you REALLY have to have a "heart to heart" with yourself, and GENUINELY ask how badly you want it.... And make a vow to yourself to try EXTREMELY hard in order to succeed. Now acting is EXTREMELY competitive, which I'm sure you're very aware of. I have a friend who's pursuing acting, and from his experience you really have to want it. It's not going to fall on your lap... You just have to keep going and going and EVENTUALLY you can land stuff. But the most common phrase I've heard about acting is "it's all a numbers game".... Basically the more you try and put yourself out there, the more possibility there is for you to land a gig....

But just have be realistic with yourself and you should be fine Best of luck man

 

[Silent December]

I don't know that it's necessarily worth it, BUT I think you should at least try - and I mean really go all out and try. That way you don't have that regret for the rest of your life. but I agree with Karamazov, start by working as an extra, then if you really like it the next step would be to get your SAG card and actually get paid. See where that takes ya. Either way, best of luck to you bro, not alot of people have the balls to follow dreams.

 

[NASEDO]

Have a backup plan...Making it as an Actor is like winning the lottery. I would try to do both. You always need something to fallback on. And I don't think anyone really enjoys college and then their regular job.

 

[Silent December]

Have a backup plan...Making it as an Actor is like winning the lottery. I would try to do both. You always need something to fallback on. And I don't think anyone really enjoys college and then their regular job.

I don't know bro, after years of labor work I'd kill to go back to school. Just sayin

 

[Jen]

I say go for it - BUT do have a back up plan.

When I was in my mid-20's my dream was to break into the music business (not as a performer but as a manager or something along those lines) - I made the move to Seattle (I loved the music scene going on in the 90's) and things just fell into place. I didn't ever manage, but worked for a manager. It was a great experience - I still work for her....and I realized that band management was not my thing. Like most jobs in entertainment - there was too much b.s. to deal with on a regular basis and I don't have patience for b.s.

But I'm so glad I went for it. No regrets at all. As you get older sometimes it's hard to find that passion and drive to just go full out for a dream.....reality sets in...bills/responsibilities/etc....so go for it while you can! Best of luck to you!

 

[Darth Snoopy]

Your dreams are worth it, IMO. Never give up on them.

Remember that "Fortune favors the bold..."

 

[karamazov80]

But I'm so glad I went for it. No regrets at all. As you get older sometimes it's hard to find that passion and drive to just go full out for a dream.....reality sets in...bills/responsibilities/etc....so go for it while you can! Best of luck to you!

But. . .for some, there may also be regrets associated with this kind of behavior. Some personality types can lay it all out there, throw caution to the wind, and truly never regret that, even if they fail to achieve financial security or success. But you have to ask if that is you or not. If you are concerned with having a family and other financial responsibilities, doing what you truly love at the expense of practicality might not be the best solution.

 

[Darth Cruel]

Your first mistake is going to college for something you hate. Your second mistake is looking at a profession that you do not have confidence in. Your third mistake is "dreaming" instead of "planning". These are the three key factors in building the foundation for failure.

I will address each item:

1) Going to college for something you hate - Just stupid. If you decide to follow a profession that you hate...whether you succeed at finding wealth or not...you will not find any richness of life in it. What you need to do is decide what you would love to do for the rest of your life and then go pour yourself in to it. If you truly love your chosen path, you will find success because you will be putting more in to it than the next guy.

2) Chosing a path that you do not have confidence in - If you do not feel that you will succeed, why waste your time on it. This is all about a positive attitude. If you are going toward a profession that you can not be positive about, you are just stacking the deck against yourself.

3) Dreaming - Dreaming is for people who are not serious about the goal they are "dreaming" of. There is a difference between dreaming and planning. Dreaming is fine as a source of inspiration. But don't build your future on a dream. Build it on a plan. Building your life on a plan is more than enough of a gamble. Building it on a dream multiplies the odds against you.

Have a safety net, though. You still have to pay the bills during the beginning. Don't be afraid to work a McJob and live in a studio with 4 roomies (of course that is an exaggeration) until you get off the ground with your chosen profession. And don't dwell on hating doing it. Dwell on appreciating the fact that it is helping you to achieve your true life's goal. But keep working toward your goal no matter what happens along the way.

Keep in mind that there have been people all through time who made their mark in the world working on cars (Henry Ford), flipping burgers (Ray Croc), and collecting Star Wars junk (Steve Sansweet)...(Edit - because they loved doing it).

If acting is what you want to do...if it is something that you truly love down deep...you will find what you are looking for because you will be good at it. If you are just in it for the fringe benefits...you will find failure. And you will have crappy movies on record for all eternity for people to ridicule you over (Paris Hilton).

 

[Jen]

But. . .for some, there may also be regrets associated with this kind of behavior. Some personality types can lay it all out there, throw caution to the wind, and truly never regret that, even if they fail to achieve financial security or success. But you have to ask if that is you or not. If you are concerned with having a family and other financial responsibilities, doing what you truly love at the expense of practicality might not be the best solution.

True - but it sounds like he's still pretty young - so this would be the best time for one to go for it before they do have a family and other financial responsibilities like a mortgage.

I can only speak for myself - but I'm glad I followed my dream - it was an interesting experience...I learned a lot about the music business...but more importantly, I learned a lot about myself. It didn't turn out the way I envisioned it would - but that's okay...the journey was worth it.

 

[Bannister]

I realized that band management was not my thing. Like most jobs in entertainment - there was too much b.s. to deal with on a regular basis and I don't have patience for b.s.

You mean babysitting adults who need constant reassurance isn't fun for you?

 

[Jen]

You mean babysitting adults who need constant reassurance isn't fun for you?

 

[Timinator]

Figure out what type of career you'd like if you weren't an actor, change your major and get your Bachelor's. If you were asking about anything besides a career in the arts, I'd say most of the above is great advice. However, since you want to be an actor, finish school first so that you're not chasing a dream that success is not contingent upon how hard you work, how much you want it, or even how talented you may be. You could be the finest actor on the planet, but making it as an actor is way more than talent, looks, or hard work. As someone earlier said, it's like winning the lottery.

This is also considering you ARE talented and have IT. You may not have either, regardless of what people that like you may say. I don't mean to crush dreams, but watch an episode of America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, or American Idol. Everybody wants the same dream you do, but let's face it, not everybody has a realistic self-image. Did someone encourage those hapless souls with a 'Follow your dream' speech? You want what millions of people all over the world want. Realistically ask yourself if you're willing to truly suffer and still not achieve your dream.

Am I being harsh? No. I'm telling you to be responsible first, and THEN you'll be better equipped to follow that dream. Change your major and find something you like, then pursue your dream.

By the way, I have a degree in Biology.

 

[Jen]

^^^ Good advice. I also had a double bachelor's degree before I headed out to Seattle to try and make my mark.

And it is good to have a plan. I got my foot in the door by interning (worked almost a year full time for nothing - while also holding down 1 paid full time job and 1 part time job). You got to make a lot of sacrifices - but I was more than willing to do so to get the ball rolling.

If things didn't work out - I knew I had my degree to fall back on, plus years of bartending and experience in a wide variety of jobs.

 

[The Craw]

You mean babysitting adults who need constant reassurance isn't fun for you?

isn't that what she does here as a mod though??

 

[Jen]

isn't that what she does here as a mod though??

Touché!!

 

[Bodie The Cursed]

I see you making it in the Gay porn business..

 

[The Craw]

I see you making it in the Gay porn business..

yeah. isn't that usually what happens to people who try to follow their dreams but don't make it? sounds too risky to me.