First of all, nothing’s ever perfect. I’d even say you don’t really want anything to be “perfect.” Why not? Well, once you’ve reached perfection, where else is there to go but backwards or, even worse, nowhere?
No, the point of practice isn’t perfection. We want to strive for perfection, yes, but that’s only going to work if you understand that it’s not just about the destination but the journey as well. That’s why it helps to look at the process when it comes to those outcomes we’re reaching for. Because what would be the point of getting to where you always wanted to be if you’re beat up and worn out by the time you get there? Where’s the happiness in that?
Happiness is a process as much as an outcome. Don’t get me wrong – a hard-earned victory is awesome. But think about it; should happiness in life be restricted to success in finances, or business, or career, or the attainment of goals?
We have all been there at some point in our acting career, saying something like, “If only I had [fill in the blank], I’d be so much happier.” Hey, sometimes we may even get whatever it is we think will make us happy, but what usually ends up happening? We’re psyched for a little while—if at all—and then we find out it wasn’t really enough to make us as happy as we thought it would. There’s always more.
You can work your butt off to get to where you want to be by practicing. Practicing your monologues, your on-camera audition technique, your marketing and networking strategies—you can practice many things until you get them down, but that doesn’t mean things are always going to turn out perfectly. Practice doesn’t make perfect.
Our business of show is DESIGNED for the striving and not the arriving. Take a look at this: You do a mailing to get an agent and get called in, but they don’t take you on. You finally get an agent, and after a while you don’t get as many of, or the kind of auditions you’d like so now you want a new agent. You get the audition, but not the call back. You get the call back but not the part. You get the part, then your part is cut. You get the part and the show goes to Broadway, but you’ve been replaced by a “star”. You get an awesome role in a movie, but you end up on the cutting room floor. Your movie is finally produced and your role in it is Oscar worthy, and the film goes straight to video. You get that Oscar nomination, but don’t win. You win the Oscar, but still have to audition for your next movie. (Hugh Jackman had to audition for the recently nominated Les Miserables – did you know that?)
Practice becomes habit, and habits become permanent unless we consciously change them. We’re practicing something all the time through our habits, even when we’re not really thinking about it. If you practice the thought that “I’ll be happy when [fill in the blank] happens,” then guess what? You’re always delaying your happiness until [fill in the bank] happens. Not because things will never be great, but because you’ve become a master at being unhappy. Unhappiness will be your habit!
You have to practice being happy no matter what is going on in your career and in your life in general; whether you win or lose, succeed or experience temporary setbacks, whether everything is the way you have always dreamed or if you are still on the road to your next major destination.
Practice whatever you want to be in the future now. I had a wonderful conversation just today with a coaching client who said she is changing the way she sees herself from wanting to be a working actor to being an active actor. This makes her happy…when she is doing something for her career, even in small increments, and not waiting for the “outcome” to delay her happiness, she is really enjoying herself NOW.
The key is to enjoy the process and the journey. We can have moments of perfection, times where we wouldn’t want a single thing to change. Usually you think it’s only available when you are up there on that stage but believe it or not, happiness can occur just as easily doing computer research on the industry or putting together a contact list. It’s totally within our control to practice being happy doing whatever we are doing right now!
So now it’s your turn: What are you going to practice right now? What’s that one thing you want to achieve and are willing to enjoy the process while making it a habit? I’d love to hear your comments!
There’s a book out there called “Life Was Never Meant to be a Struggle” by Stuart Wilde. The title pretty much says it all, yes?
You sure wouldn’t know it by the way actors live and work at their career. The fact is many actors suffer through the journey of reaching their dreams. They do what they do because they were taught (incorrectly) they have to, because they think or heard they should, or quite simply have NO IDEA what to do to have their hopes and wishes come true—BUT they blindly keep on keepin’ on even in the face of personal unhappiness or financial struggle.
And that’s exactly what a lot of actors’ biggest struggle is when it comes to getting acting work. We don’t do what we love because we’re not clear about what we want.
When I coach or lead certain goal oriented seminars, I usually start out by asking actors to share their big dream, then their plan to attain it. I get a lot of blank stares. And instead I get a laundry list of hopes, wishes and desires, but no measurable, attainable results and any INSPIRED actions to get there.
The first place to look, of course, is at your natural talents. Natural talents are gifts from the Universe, gifts from spirit, or whatever you want to call your creator. These are things that you do well, that you didn’t have to learn to do. You’re basically born with this skill. It comes easy to you. It’s something that people look at you and go, “You’re natural at that.” And most importantly, you like doing it! That’s the GIFT of talent you are offering the world.
But how do you get to offer your gifts and make a great living? The most obvious reason a lot of actors never do is fairly simple and not at all a spectacular revelation. They haven’t created loving what they do OFF the stage or set or class—and struggle through life because of it—oh yeah, and the fear: fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of rejection, fear of looking foolish, fear of disapproval and even fear of success!
I believe the acting business is not meant to be a struggle. While acknowledging that struggles do happen in the form of detaching yourself from some of what your acting teachers sold you..(i.e. you’re talented, now all you need is an agent) growth is hard in areas you don’t have a lot of experience in, but once we get through it and become more AWARE of just how easy this stuff is, the struggle lightens.
We have to unlearn what we believe in order to escape the struggles that the illusion of becoming an overnight success and not having that happen. Once you get it straight in your head that a BIG BREAK doesn’t come out of no where and caused by something you just started last Tuesday, it’ll make things easier.
Not to get TOO woo woo, but I BELIEVE we are part of a divine source of unlimited power—creators of our own experiences. That’s the reason we chose to be actors…who after all are the ultimate creators. Actors with a strong spiritual connection tend to find that life is easier, living life knowing who they really are and that what they really want is to fully express their art rather than playing a role in a show for a few weeks. Heck yeah, we WANT the gigs, but that’s just pleasure with a paycheck!
When you “take it easy” then everything begins to open up and flow easily too—work, relationships, finances, etc. Life really shouldn’t be that hard. Unlearn, discover, apply, and for goodness sake, take it easy!
Now it’s your turn- I’d love to hear from you! Do you utilize your natural talents in your life as well as your career? Is your pursuit of your dreams a struggle, a joy, a connection to your inner creator? Share your opinion and experiences with me by making a comment. Thanks, Lisa
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.png00Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2013-02-05 18:39:562013-02-05 18:41:01Take it Easy
There’s a good chance you made a New Year’s resolution this year, and there’s also a pretty good chance you’ve already broken it.
It’s no secret that setting goals for yourself is hard, especially when many of the goals you have may be out of your control. But the things that ARE in your hands that are accomplish-able are still a challenge and the hard truth is that many people who make goals never achieve them.
Much worse than not achieving your goals, however, is failing to set any for yourself in the first place. No matter how big or how small your intended goal is, just setting one for yourself is important. Whether you intend to take a new acting class, score an agent, or simply become better at following up with industry you’ve met, setting your goal and being aware of it is much better than not knowing what you need to work on, or not caring.
For actors who set and achieve goals successfully, there are some important habits that make all the difference. For example, actors who take the time to write their goals down are much more likely to actually achieve them.
The following graphic takes a look at the state of goal setting—how many people set goals, how many people actually reach them, and what those goals might be.
Whether you’ve already broken your New Year’s resolution or you’ve never set a clear mission for yourself before, make it your first goal to take a look at the graphic below.
This column and the graphic provided by OnlineEducation.net with additions
contributed by Lisa Gold.
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/index.jpg128128Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2013-01-14 19:23:402013-03-17 19:00:01We Suck at Setting Goals
For some reason I love numbers. There have been certain numerical patterns in my life I’ve noticed. For example I have lived at 3 different places in 3 different cities, all with 407 as the number in the street address. Weird, huh?
I also seem to wake up naturally at the exact same time every day when I don’t set an alarm – 7:17am. No matter how early or late I go to sleep, I always wake up at 7:17. Now that’s definitely weird.
My birthday is October 10th and I am one of those lucky folks in this century to have a numerically interesting birthday – 10-10-10. (CLICK HERE to see what I did.) It was AWESOME!
Since today is also one of those numerically interesting dates, today I decided to make lists in 12’s. I thought I’d share:
Twelve things to say YES to:
People who make you laugh.
Sitting in sunlight.
More rest than you think you need.
An invitation that feels exciting and scary at the same time.
Hugs.
Moving your body.
Daydreaming.
Opportunities that get your juices flowing.
A brunch invitation – with Mimosas.
Going to a movie you’ve never heard of.
Petting an animal.
Smelling flowers.
Twelve things to say NO to:
Rushing.
Negative thoughts.
Conversations with people who constantly drain your energy.
A request that immediately causes you stress.
The inner critic who tells you you’re not good enough.
More work when you already have a full plate.
Pushing yourself to do more when you feel tired.
Unhealthy guilt or shame.
Second helpings when you feel full.
Acting out of spite or fear.
Saying things you don’t mean in anger.
The next drink when you know you’ve had enough.
Twelve things that CONTRIBUTE to a great life:
A pet (or two or three!)
An ability to laugh at yourself and others.
A home that nurtures your soul.
Good friends to share the details of daily life with.
Sense enough to back out of arguments that never go anywhere.
A beautiful garden.
Eating fresh, healthy, home cooked food.
The ability to say “I’m sorry.”
Becoming good at feeling your feelings and trusting them.
Relaxed breathing and being present in your body.
Reading books that grow you as a human being.
Acting Outside of the Box.
Today I invite you to create your 12/12/12 list. Do it quickly and spontaneously and notice what you learn about yourself. Don’t censor or try to “figure it out” or make it perfect. Just write 12 things to say YES to, 12 things to say NO to and 12 things that CONTRIBUTE to a great life – YOUR great life!
By the way, notice that nothing on my list is about my job(s) in show business. It’s part of my life that I could have included…but there is so much more!
Please feel free to share your comments on your 12-12-12s below! Lisa
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.png00Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2012-12-12 12:01:522012-12-12 12:06:52What are Your 12-12-12s?
Every actor has a dream for themselves and their career. And a goal, after all is a dream with a deadline. I find it ironic how so many people on the “talent” side of the industry are full of hopes, wishes and dreams, but rarely set goals. Like shooting an arrow at a target, you have to have something to aim for.
But what if you miss? In my acting career of over 34 years and my business of show career as a consultant and seminar leader, I find THIS to be the most prolific part of what keeps actors treading water, standing still, and generally not getting as far as they’d like. It’s got nothing to do with talent and everything to do with taking aim at something concrete and measurable. You don’t want to miss (fail, fall short, etc) so you rarely set short-term, realistically achievable and measurable goals.
The thing that’s interesting about aims is that even though they’re not hard at all, many times we don’t stick to them 100%. To be totally candid here and call myself out, I grapple with this same issue. An effective aim is intentionally designed to stretch you outside your comfort zone, and though Act Outside the Box as a company is completely designed intentionally for this purpose, heck…well, I’m only human too!
So I offer you a VERY important point about this concept:
There’s no way for an aim to “go wrong.” See, taking an aim is always a win-win situation.
Here’s why…
Let’s suppose you stick to your aim for the entire time you targeted. By doing this, you will have developed power around your intention. The result will be that you can achieve more, faster in your career (and life in general), including taking more challenging aims in the future. You’ll develop habits around taking action in the areas that mean the most to you and the payoffs can be sweeeeet!
But what if you’re like me and are “hit and miss” with sticking with your aims?
How can that be a good thing?
Here’s how…
When you take an aim, your conscious and subconscious mind go on “hyper alert.” You become significantly more aware of this particular intention you’ve set forth. And when you declare it publicly (like I do and recommend), you’re paying even more attention.
When I work with my AAP clients, we set weekly goals and make promises around actions. Very few of my actor clients accomplish all of the weekly tasks designed to move them forward, but that’s OK…they are AIMING, hitting some, missing others and
their increased state of awareness enables them to notice things they wouldn’t normally notice. Lessons are learned, corrections are made, and in general, the actors I work with are HAPPIER with the process of attaining their dreams because they are on purpose and on track to realizing them. All because they’ve set smaller specific and measurable goals.
When you begin to notice your aim more clearly, your own awareness extends to all aspects of your life, not just your acting career. You’ll notice a lot of things more fully and frequently.
And when you don’t stick to an aim, you’ll notice it too…
You’ll eventually (with practice) become naturally curious and question why you were unable to stick to such a “simple” and “easy” goal that you know is possible for you to attain. That curiosity will lead you deeper into yourself, and ultimately, enable you to uncover whatever blockages were preventing you from sticking to that aim.
For every aim I’ve missed, I’m deeply grateful…
Each aim I’ve missed has shown me aspects of myself I would have not seen otherwise…
Each aim I’ve missed has helped me take one step closer towards living my ideal life…
And each aim I’ve missed has helped me become more of the person I am.
Since I like me, I see that as a good thing. 🙂
One of the most powerful practices I know for changing your career is when we take aim at something. I’ve often said “most actors don’t get what they want, because they don’t know what they want.” Simply put, choosing a short-term, realistically achievable goal with an end date can be a challenge in and of itself.
As many actors as there are in this business, there are even more possible aims that can be taken. Remember though, it is imperative that an aim be realistically achievable. The intention is not to create a huge challenge, but rather, a challenge that is just slightly outside your comfort zone.
It’s also important to put an end-date on your aim. This kind of specificity will help ensure your success.
So with that in mind, here’s an exercise for you to try…
Write down 5 aspects of your career you’d like to see improvement in.
Next, prioritize them in order of importance.
Pick the most important one and decide what you will do, how frequently you will do it, and for how many days or weeks you’ll take that aim.
Lastly, declare your aim to at least one other person.
My recommendation is actually to declare it to as many people as is realistically possible. If you’re feeling courageous, or you really want to get moral support to achieve your aim, consider posting it on Facebook or by commenting on this blog.
If you’re really out to achieve some magnificent goals in the coming year, I’m available to support you via my AAP program. To your success, Lisa
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Target-aim.jpg225300Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2012-11-29 11:52:282012-12-13 16:01:00Taking Aim – What if You Miss?
As much as we want the reader of our cover note/letter to “get us” and call us in for an audition or possible representation, for many actors writing the cover note/letter is a chore. Here’s 7 ways to put some joy into your fingertips.
1. Take a few minutes to write about what’s on your mind first. When you sit down to write, clear away anything that’s floating around in your head by writing about it. Is your acting class a drag, your next door neighbor cute, your mailman creepy, your coffee delicious? Not only does writing about these things help get them out of your head, but you easily and naturally get into the flow of writing.
2. Write from a picture that inspires you. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Take any picture that relates to your goals and dreams and use it as your inspiration. Meryl Streep your favorite actress? A beautiful house on the beach where you’d like to be? Someone walking the red carpet? What about the picture of the actual industry professionals are writing to? Google images is a wonderful resource…find them, then either print them out or have them on your computer screen as you begin your note/letter.
3. Use a writing prompt. In grade school, teachers used written exercises to get students writing. You can easily create a prompt by imagining you’re in the office of the person you are writing to and that they are asking about YOU and what you offer. Then write your answers as you would speak them out loud. One of my favorites is, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” You could also respond to the prompt of “Who else in the industry knows your work?” Just respond to the prompt, and see what comes of it. Like using a picture, this technique opens another door in your mind that allows you to think differently, and perhaps see options that weren’t there before to include in your note.
4. Just get it out. Remember that the first draft of anything written is NOT going to be perfect, so have fun with it! There’s no reason to struggle over your exact phrasing or sequence when you’re just going to go back over it and edit anyway. Stop critiquing your work so much, focus on getting the idea out, and play with the words
5. Try emulating an actor you admire. Think about why you like his/her work and then model what they might say in a note. Does he/she write and speak beautifully? Does he/she entertain when being interviewed on Letterman? Many actors have authored books and articles and post on the internet and have a great way with words. By pinpointing the things that you like you are able to bring these elements into your own writing.
6. Write out your plan first. It’s easier to outline what you’re going to write about rather than the actual writing of it. Are you going to write a quick note with bullet points of recent projects? Are you introducing yourself with a letter that includes reviews and bio information? How much is too much and how much is not enough? By planning first, you get more excited about the task, spurring the birth of more ideas. It also helps if you remember WHY you’re writing in the first place. What’s the ultimate outcome you want to produce? What exact ACTion on the reader’s part do you want them to take?
7. Reward yourself. This is a huge one! After writing out your plan, decide when and how to reward yourself. For example, after writing 6 cover notes/letters you can go out and get yourself a treat (whatever it is that makes you happy). Not only does this serve as inspiration to get those notes finished, but by rewarding your own successes you are establishing an invaluable system that can only generate more success!
Take these tips and try them out for yourself. See which ones work for you, and toss out the ones that don’t. And remember, when you’re frustrated or things aren’t flowing, let yourself laugh, and breathe.
I’d love to hear from some of you any tip, tricks, or techniques that you use to accomplish the “task” of cover note/letter writing. Please share them with the rest of our community by posting a comment! To your success, Lisa
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/covernote.jpg96128Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2012-10-24 14:22:422012-10-24 14:22:427 Ways to Make Cover Note Writing More Fun and Easy
I know it sounds odd, but I’ve been looking forward to turning 50 since I turned 49! I’ve been telling everyone that “I’m almost 50 or it’s only 6 months until I’m 50” for a while now. I’ve reverted back to a time, like when I was a kid, when it was COOL to be older.
In our youth obsessed world, reflected HEAVILY in our show BUSINESS as well, I guess I’m an exception…but I have noticed that there’s been a shift of late. It seems that finally, as a society, the tables are starting to turn.
When I look at the Fall TV line-up of shows, some of the movies that have come out recently and the opening of my friend Donna’s off-B’way show, Cougar the Musical, I see the dawn of a new AGE (pun intended!)
We are embracing characters who are heavy set, gay, tattooed, pierced, odd, a variety of ethnicities, and yes, OLDER. We’ve come a long way from a time where the cookie cutter perfect and ideal TYPES of folks we watched as entertainment has now expanded to include “regular” looking people who reflect our general population…yes indeedy – art is FINALLY imitating life!
So why did it take so long? I think reality TV has had a hand in it. It used to be that we consumed entertainment as an escape from reality. Then along came the concept that watching real people in real situations with real problems was just as entertaining (and cheaper to produce!). Now our scripted material for actors has transformed to follow suit. That’s good news for everyone who has a desire to act, express themselves and offer their talent who may be slightly “less” than perfect in appearance.
So what does any of this have to do with me turning 50? It means that in the next half of my life, I have the exact same possibilities open to me that I had when I was younger! I often receive emails from “older” actors bemoaning the lack of roles or opportunities available as they have grown older, but I honestly think just the opposite is true. In fact actors entering the marketplace between the ages of 55 and 64 have increased by 300% from over a decade ago. People often choose acting as a “second career” after they’ve retired from the first one. They have more time and money resources than younger actors just out of school and are more likely to “hang in there” longer. Life experience also shows them that NOTHING is overnight, EVERYTHING takes longer than we expect, and that it’s just as much fun on the journey, as it is getting “there”…wherever that is!
I’m looking forward to creating opportunities on both coasts now that I’m traveling between markets. I’m looking forward to more commercial work as my age range is in DEMAND for the sale of products to baby boomers. I’m looking forward to enjoying myself on the journey, as I myself have come to KNOW that this career works best when my mind is in the right place. I’m looking forward…period!
My birthday party in New York was on 9/27 but my actual date of birth is 10-10-62, so it’s just around the corner! I can’t wait to celebrate it with friends, family and YOU! CLICK HERE to see the awesome pictures taken last week and check back later for images of a very happy girl (who is having a wine bottling party!) after the fact.
I’d also love to hear your comments about how you feel about age and your career. Do you think it has anything to do with you being cast or not? How about your weight, your ethnicity, or any other characteristics that are a part of you…that isn’t your talent? What do you THINK about these things and the impact it makes on your success? – Lisa Gold
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Lisa-and-B-Day-cake.jpg653490Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2012-10-05 17:21:092012-10-05 17:28:43My Big 5-0y Vey Birthday
In 1997, while doing a little dinner theater show in Boca Raton, FL, I had the privilege of meeting a woman in her late 70’s who was a dialect coach for the Yiddish required in the show. She was a cheerful sort, very interested in people and particularly interested in teaching what was her area of expertise. Who knew that this chance encounter would lead to a sort of Tuesdays With Morrie relationship that has lasted 15 years and provides each of us with exceptional joy and exchange of powerful value in our lives.
I just returned from another visit with Miss Fay, who at almost 90, is probably the most inspirational living person that I personally know. She thinks and speaks about living, not dying, though she knows she’s close (in years probably, not health wise…) and the power of “Happiness Now”. And she tells me, she was meant to meet me!
What I’ve come to find is that being gracious and grateful for the kindness, value and support the people we surround ourselves with doesn’t just make up our life, it IS our life! For some, Miss Fay may be difficult to take. She’s so damned cheerful, positive and in teaching mode, that a person’s natural inclination to stand anything that GOOD, makes most cringe, wanting to get away or find fault. Why is that?
Well, at the beginning it was kind of like that for me too. I kept looking for the fault, the thing that would make her human, the resentment she held, the prejudice, the hurt…but it never showed itself. Early on I resisted her showing me the way to properly hold a mixing spoon (I know how to hold a mixing spoon, damnit!) or how to peel a hard boiled egg.
Now I can’t wait to stand in her kitchen as she slowly and deliberately offers advice on proper containers for different kinds of food or which spice to add first, the pepper or the bay leaf. Now I soak up every bit of positivity I can because I know I am in the presence of a rare find, a gem, a guru, a true soul of a pure wise and giving human being.
I asked to put her on video to have her with me when she passes. She answered with a firm no as she wishes to be remembered the way she was when we met at a youthful 78 and not her slow, more wrinkled and slightly breathless state. (Ok, vanity being the most damning human quality I can find). So here I will put the ones that I have permission to.
She also said I will always remember her because she will never leave me. In physical form perhaps, but never in my heart. And she is right.
We were meant to meet and I am blessed and honored to visit her when I can and soak up such love and joy. I wish everyone could meet someone they are meant to, and share in the good vibrations that are available when you remain open to others. You never know who is going to make a large impact on your life…you just never know.
I have a richer life because Miss Fay is in it. As I write this, she approaches her 92 birthday. I want to be her when I grow up. A writer and a blogger herself, she longs to share her wisdom with more people and I urge you to please take a moment to see what I see. It would be great for you to make COMMENTS as that will add to her happieness. CLICK HERE to read what I call Fayisms. And also comment on this blog to tell me about the people that you have in your life like Miss Fay.
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.png00Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2012-09-09 12:59:322012-09-09 12:59:32We Were Meant to Meet
I can’t believe more than a week has passed since I attended my BFF girlfriend, Donna Moore’s premiere of Cougar the Musical in New York. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
The process has been more than 6 years in the making. Many readers have heard of this project via my emails and Facebook posts as I want and need this show to GO far. Menopause the Musical is the “business model” Cougar is patterned after, though the content of the musical is VERY different. Hhhuuum – menopause vs. hot vital women of a certain age – a no brainer!
It all started when I brought my gal pal to my friend Adam’s 30th birthday party. The subject of my (possibly?) being a Cougar came up and though Donna had never heard the term, had been so intrigued by the concept, that within a week she had written a song…that which is now the title song of the show. CLICK HERE to hear excerpts from a few other songs from the show.
6 some odd years later, after many OBSTACLES, producers, cast members, trials and tribulations with theaters, the union, and money issues, the show is going on! This is a testament to Donna’s vision and mission of bringing the enlightened message about “love being ageless” to the masses. The desire that this show duplicate it’s cast and tour the country, if not the world, is strong and shared by many people in my community. Being with Donna every step of the way until I left the East Coast to expand my business, I felt a little disconnected at the end…the home stretch as it were, but Donna has assured me this is only the beginning!
So with this writing I am embarking on the next stage of the adventure with her and am so excited! And isn’t that the same as an acting career, or indeed every experience that leads us to the fruition of a vision for ourselves in all aspects of life? When I lead programs or coach actors in career matters, what I love to concentrate on the most is not the “how to do” but the “how to think and feel” about what there is to do. (By the way, there is a LOT to do!) Really, the journey never ends and if you have ups and downs along the way, how you “hold the thought” of the experience you’re having is MORE IMPORTANT than the experience of it “turning out” the way you thought.
You know why? It NEVER turns out the way you thought! Its usually BETTER than you ever imagined…if you imagine it long enough. The only way its worse is if you stop envisioning it and quit. This is where regret, upset, depression and struggle come from. Think and Grow Rich Acting is now my new centerpiece of Act Outside the Box. I wish I could communicate this to more actors…that if you would only start with the THOUGHTS of how you want to FEEL when you get that agent, role, pile of money, recognition, golden statue…if you could create that feeling NOW about how you think you’ll feel when you have the vision realized, then you, like Donna Moore, will have the experience you desire ALL ALONG THE WAY! Its a universal law.
You just can’t give up or give in to the negative thoughts. Cougar the Musical is a shining example of a vision realized and I could blog about 600 more pages about all of the ups and downs and experiences (good and bad) that happened on this journey so far…but I won’t.
I just leave you with this: If you want what you want, first figure out EXACTLY what that is. Visualize it, Intend that it happen, Believe that it will, then be with the Experience of the journey. That’s V.I.B.E.
I now also co-lead programs outside of the acting community for everyone who wants to realize their dreams with a company called Raised Vibration. Our next program, Owning My Purpose, is scheduled for Nov. 1st through 4th in Phoenix, AZ. I’d love to have you join me.
Cougar the Musical has an open ended run at St. Luke’s Theater on Restaurant Row in New York, Wednesday and Friday nights at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. My GREATEST desire and one I VISUALIZE happening is that if you’re reading this in an archive in 2015, the show will STILL be going on in many formats, with multiple casts, and is one of the best and longest running shows in recent theatrical history! – Lisa Gold
My FAB Cougar girlfriends, Donna, Ayodele, Renee and Moi!
I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on the subject of being a Cougar, being a Cougar lover AND about being patient in the process of bringing something from a vision to reality.
P.S. – Ahem, I want to thank all of the beautiful young “bucks” who slipped me their phone number that weekend. It FELT awesome and will look you up when I’m back in NYC!
From Sundance to the New York Film Festival, TOP filmmakers present their works to the world, but so do the “little” guys (often actor/filmmakers)…and they’re the ones to watch!
Even though the just announced main line up of films for the 2012 New York Film Festival boasts recognizable names like Ang Lee, Robert Zemeckis, and David Chase in his first feature film directorial debut, much of the attention brought by these big names is MOST beneficial to the smaller films screened. Why? Money.
Sick of me writing about the subject of money yet? I hope not. You can count on me FOREVER to remind you that you are an actor in a BUSINESS called SHOW BUSINESS and the bottom line in any biz is bucks!
Distributors and large studios love finding smaller films, produced on a shoestring, so they can scoop them up for a song and (hopefully) make huge profits. Of course the films have to be STELLAR…great cast, great story, shot beautifully…the whole package. This is a wonderful opportunity for actors with an entrepreneurial mind and business savvy to show their wares as actors and or producer.
Why it’s important to be an actorepreneur.
I admit that’s a made up word, but you get it. You want to make a living right? As an employee of a production, there’s always the “opportunity” to be out of work. As an entrepreneur who truly CREATES work for themselves and others, well, you’ve ALWAYS got something to do. In the world of Film Festivals, this is the chance for visionaries to be a part of the process of taking something from nothing to full fledged project.
Here’s a short list of prominent Film Festivals where you can achieve several of your creative goals at once. Do a little research and see if there’s a fit for your vision. The links take you to festivals that are currently open for submissions for 2013.
And here is an amazing website that you can search over 400 festivals: CLICK HERE or simply GOOGLE for yourself!
To access our weekly newsletter archive, CLICK HERE.
To Your Success, Lisa Gold
Success Stories
Acknowledgement in this section isn’t only for actors! A HUGE round of applause please for one of my favorite entrepreneurs, Donna Moore.
Writing, producing and starring in her own musical for over 7 years in workshop form and cabaret, Donna’s vision is finally being realized in it’s off-Broadway debut this Sunday, August 26th. After years of persistence and stepping back from the lead role to lead the entire production as executive producer, she has created Cougar the Musical a mega hit already in previews. It’s my privilege and honor to let the “cat out of the bag” and also let you know Donna is my BFF girlfriend and I couldn’t be MOORE proud of her! I love ya sista! Check it out at www.cougarthemusical.com
Show Business Tips
Keeping a schedule. That’s the biggest tip I could offer anyone in business and especially show business where we live in a very unscheduled environment. We don’t know when our next audition is going to be or our call time for a gig sometimes even the night before. So how do you keep on track with the every day items that need your attention so you’ll always be working toward your goals?
I recommend the use of a Gmail calendar. I discovered this amazing tool that syncs to most smart phones as an invaluable way to put lists of activities in to actual time existence. Schedule a block of time, open it up and list the things you intend to accomplish in that block of time. BEWARE: Things always take longer than you think they do because of interruptions. And the beauty of the electronic format lets you move time from day to day or even into the next month with drag and drop ease. Just go to gmail.com and click on calendar to see what it’s all about! If it’s not in your schedule, it’s most likely not going to get done!
https://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.png00Lisa Goldhttps://actoutsidethebox.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AOTB-New-Logo-1000x630.pngLisa Gold2012-08-22 02:27:112012-08-22 02:27:11Film Festivals – a Haven for Actorpreneurs
Practicing Happiness
/in General/by Lisa GoldPractice makes perfect, right? Wrong!
First of all, nothing’s ever perfect. I’d even say you don’t really want anything to be “perfect.” Why not? Well, once you’ve reached perfection, where else is there to go but backwards or, even worse, nowhere?
No, the point of practice isn’t perfection. We want to strive for perfection, yes, but that’s only going to work if you understand that it’s not just about the destination but the journey as well. That’s why it helps to look at the process when it comes to those outcomes we’re reaching for. Because what would be the point of getting to where you always wanted to be if you’re beat up and worn out by the time you get there? Where’s the happiness in that?
Happiness is a process as much as an outcome. Don’t get me wrong – a hard-earned victory is awesome. But think about it; should happiness in life be restricted to success in finances, or business, or career, or the attainment of goals?
We have all been there at some point in our acting career, saying something like, “If only I had [fill in the blank], I’d be so much happier.” Hey, sometimes we may even get whatever it is we think will make us happy, but what usually ends up happening? We’re psyched for a little while—if at all—and then we find out it wasn’t really enough to make us as happy as we thought it would. There’s always more.
You can work your butt off to get to where you want to be by practicing. Practicing your monologues, your on-camera audition technique, your marketing and networking strategies—you can practice many things until you get them down, but that doesn’t mean things are always going to turn out perfectly. Practice doesn’t make perfect.
Our business of show is DESIGNED for the striving and not the arriving. Take a look at this: You do a mailing to get an agent and get called in, but they don’t take you on. You finally get an agent, and after a while you don’t get as many of, or the kind of auditions you’d like so now you want a new agent. You get the audition, but not the call back. You get the call back but not the part. You get the part, then your part is cut. You get the part and the show goes to Broadway, but you’ve been replaced by a “star”. You get an awesome role in a movie, but you end up on the cutting room floor. Your movie is finally produced and your role in it is Oscar worthy, and the film goes straight to video. You get that Oscar nomination, but don’t win. You win the Oscar, but still have to audition for your next movie. (Hugh Jackman had to audition for the recently nominated Les Miserables – did you know that?)
Practice becomes habit, and habits become permanent unless we consciously change them. We’re practicing something all the time through our habits, even when we’re not really thinking about it. If you practice the thought that “I’ll be happy when [fill in the blank] happens,” then guess what? You’re always delaying your happiness until [fill in the bank] happens. Not because things will never be great, but because you’ve become a master at being unhappy. Unhappiness will be your habit!
You have to practice being happy no matter what is going on in your career and in your life in general; whether you win or lose, succeed or experience temporary setbacks, whether everything is the way you have always dreamed or if you are still on the road to your next major destination.
Practice whatever you want to be in the future now. I had a wonderful conversation just today with a coaching client who said she is changing the way she sees herself from wanting to be a working actor to being an active actor. This makes her happy…when she is doing something for her career, even in small increments, and not waiting for the “outcome” to delay her happiness, she is really enjoying herself NOW.
The key is to enjoy the process and the journey. We can have moments of perfection, times where we wouldn’t want a single thing to change. Usually you think it’s only available when you are up there on that stage but believe it or not, happiness can occur just as easily doing computer research on the industry or putting together a contact list. It’s totally within our control to practice being happy doing whatever we are doing right now!
So now it’s your turn: What are you going to practice right now? What’s that one thing you want to achieve and are willing to enjoy the process while making it a habit? I’d love to hear your comments!
Take it Easy
/in General, Think & Grow Rich Acting/by Lisa GoldYou sure wouldn’t know it by the way actors live and work at their career. The fact is many actors suffer through the journey of reaching their dreams. They do what they do because they were taught (incorrectly) they have to, because they think or heard they should, or quite simply have NO IDEA what to do to have their hopes and wishes come true—BUT they blindly keep on keepin’ on even in the face of personal unhappiness or financial struggle.
And that’s exactly what a lot of actors’ biggest struggle is when it comes to getting acting work. We don’t do what we love because we’re not clear about what we want.
When I coach or lead certain goal oriented seminars, I usually start out by asking actors to share their big dream, then their plan to attain it. I get a lot of blank stares. And instead I get a laundry list of hopes, wishes and desires, but no measurable, attainable results and any INSPIRED actions to get there.
The first place to look, of course, is at your natural talents. Natural talents are gifts from the Universe, gifts from spirit, or whatever you want to call your creator. These are things that you do well, that you didn’t have to learn to do. You’re basically born with this skill. It comes easy to you. It’s something that people look at you and go, “You’re natural at that.” And most importantly, you like doing it! That’s the GIFT of talent you are offering the world.
But how do you get to offer your gifts and make a great living? The most obvious reason a lot of actors never do is fairly simple and not at all a spectacular revelation. They haven’t created loving what they do OFF the stage or set or class—and struggle through life because of it—oh yeah, and the fear: fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of rejection, fear of looking foolish, fear of disapproval and even fear of success!
I believe the acting business is not meant to be a struggle. While acknowledging that struggles do happen in the form of detaching yourself from some of what your acting teachers sold you..(i.e. you’re talented, now all you need is an agent) growth is hard in areas you don’t have a lot of experience in, but once we get through it and become more AWARE of just how easy this stuff is, the struggle lightens.
We have to unlearn what we believe in order to escape the struggles that the illusion of becoming an overnight success and not having that happen. Once you get it straight in your head that a BIG BREAK doesn’t come out of no where and caused by something you just started last Tuesday, it’ll make things easier.
Not to get TOO woo woo, but I BELIEVE we are part of a divine source of unlimited power—creators of our own experiences. That’s the reason we chose to be actors…who after all are the ultimate creators. Actors with a strong spiritual connection tend to find that life is easier, living life knowing who they really are and that what they really want is to fully express their art rather than playing a role in a show for a few weeks. Heck yeah, we WANT the gigs, but that’s just pleasure with a paycheck!
When you “take it easy” then everything begins to open up and flow easily too—work, relationships, finances, etc. Life really shouldn’t be that hard. Unlearn, discover, apply, and for goodness sake, take it easy!
Now it’s your turn- I’d love to hear from you! Do you utilize your natural talents in your life as well as your career? Is your pursuit of your dreams a struggle, a joy, a connection to your inner creator? Share your opinion and experiences with me by making a comment. Thanks, Lisa
We Suck at Setting Goals
/in General/by Lisa GoldIt’s no secret that setting goals for yourself is hard, especially when many of the goals you have may be out of your control. But the things that ARE in your hands that are accomplish-able are still a challenge and the hard truth is that many people who make goals never achieve them.
Much worse than not achieving your goals, however, is failing to set any for yourself in the first place. No matter how big or how small your intended goal is, just setting one for yourself is important. Whether you intend to take a new acting class, score an agent, or simply become better at following up with industry you’ve met, setting your goal and being aware of it is much better than not knowing what you need to work on, or not caring.
For actors who set and achieve goals successfully, there are some important habits that make all the difference. For example, actors who take the time to write their goals down are much more likely to actually achieve them.
The following graphic takes a look at the state of goal setting—how many people set goals, how many people actually reach them, and what those goals might be.
Whether you’ve already broken your New Year’s resolution or you’ve never set a clear mission for yourself before, make it your first goal to take a look at the graphic below.
This column and the graphic provided by OnlineEducation.net with additions
contributed by Lisa Gold.
What are Your 12-12-12s?
/in General/by Lisa GoldFor some reason I love numbers. There have been certain numerical patterns in my life I’ve noticed. For example I have lived at 3 different places in 3 different cities, all with 407 as the number in the street address. Weird, huh?
I also seem to wake up naturally at the exact same time every day when I don’t set an alarm – 7:17am. No matter how early or late I go to sleep, I always wake up at 7:17. Now that’s definitely weird.
My birthday is October 10th and I am one of those lucky folks in this century to have a numerically interesting birthday – 10-10-10. (CLICK HERE to see what I did.) It was AWESOME!
Since today is also one of those numerically interesting dates, today I decided to make lists in 12’s. I thought I’d share:
Twelve things to say YES to:
Twelve things to say NO to:
Twelve things that CONTRIBUTE to a great life:
Today I invite you to create your 12/12/12 list. Do it quickly and spontaneously and notice what you learn about yourself. Don’t censor or try to “figure it out” or make it perfect. Just write 12 things to say YES to, 12 things to say NO to and 12 things that CONTRIBUTE to a great life – YOUR great life!
By the way, notice that nothing on my list is about my job(s) in show business. It’s part of my life that I could have included…but there is so much more!
Please feel free to share your comments on your 12-12-12s below! Lisa
Taking Aim – What if You Miss?
/in General, Productivity Tips/by Lisa GoldEvery actor has a dream for themselves and their career. And a goal, after all is a dream with a deadline. I find it ironic how so many people on the “talent” side of the industry are full of hopes, wishes and dreams, but rarely set goals. Like shooting an arrow at a target, you have to have something to aim for.
But what if you miss? In my acting career of over 34 years and my business of show career as a consultant and seminar leader, I find THIS to be the most prolific part of what keeps actors treading water, standing still, and generally not getting as far as they’d like. It’s got nothing to do with talent and everything to do with taking aim at something concrete and measurable. You don’t want to miss (fail, fall short, etc) so you rarely set short-term, realistically achievable and measurable goals.
The thing that’s interesting about aims is that even though they’re not hard at all, many times we don’t stick to them 100%. To be totally candid here and call myself out, I grapple with this same issue. An effective aim is intentionally designed to stretch you outside your comfort zone, and though Act Outside the Box as a company is completely designed intentionally for this purpose, heck…well, I’m only human too!
So I offer you a VERY important point about this concept:
There’s no way for an aim to “go wrong.” See, taking an aim is always a win-win situation.
Here’s why…
Let’s suppose you stick to your aim for the entire time you targeted. By doing this, you will have developed power around your intention. The result will be that you can achieve more, faster in your career (and life in general), including taking more challenging aims in the future. You’ll develop habits around taking action in the areas that mean the most to you and the payoffs can be sweeeeet!
But what if you’re like me and are “hit and miss” with sticking with your aims?
How can that be a good thing?
Here’s how…
When you take an aim, your conscious and subconscious mind go on “hyper alert.” You become significantly more aware of this particular intention you’ve set forth. And when you declare it publicly (like I do and recommend), you’re paying even more attention.
When I work with my AAP clients, we set weekly goals and make promises around actions. Very few of my actor clients accomplish all of the weekly tasks designed to move them forward, but that’s OK…they are AIMING, hitting some, missing others and
their increased state of awareness enables them to notice things they wouldn’t normally notice. Lessons are learned, corrections are made, and in general, the actors I work with are HAPPIER with the process of attaining their dreams because they are on purpose and on track to realizing them. All because they’ve set smaller specific and measurable goals.
When you begin to notice your aim more clearly, your own awareness extends to all aspects of your life, not just your acting career. You’ll notice a lot of things more fully and frequently.
And when you don’t stick to an aim, you’ll notice it too…
You’ll eventually (with practice) become naturally curious and question why you were unable to stick to such a “simple” and “easy” goal that you know is possible for you to attain. That curiosity will lead you deeper into yourself, and ultimately, enable you to uncover whatever blockages were preventing you from sticking to that aim.
For every aim I’ve missed, I’m deeply grateful…
Each aim I’ve missed has shown me aspects of myself I would have not seen otherwise…
Each aim I’ve missed has helped me take one step closer towards living my ideal life…
And each aim I’ve missed has helped me become more of the person I am.
Since I like me, I see that as a good thing. 🙂
One of the most powerful practices I know for changing your career is when we take aim at something. I’ve often said “most actors don’t get what they want, because they don’t know what they want.” Simply put, choosing a short-term, realistically achievable goal with an end date can be a challenge in and of itself.
As many actors as there are in this business, there are even more possible aims that can be taken. Remember though, it
is imperative that an aim be realistically achievable. The intention is not to create a huge challenge, but rather, a challenge that is just slightly outside your comfort zone.
It’s also important to put an end-date on your aim. This kind of specificity will help ensure your success.
So with that in mind, here’s an exercise for you to try…
My recommendation is actually to declare it to as many people as is realistically possible. If you’re feeling courageous, or you really want to get moral support to achieve your aim, consider posting it on Facebook or by commenting on this blog.
If you’re really out to achieve some magnificent goals in the coming year, I’m available to support you via my AAP program. To your success, Lisa
7 Ways to Make Cover Note Writing More Fun and Easy
/in Biz of Show Info, General, Productivity Tips/by Lisa GoldAs much as we want the reader of our cover note/letter to “get us” and call us in for an audition or possible representation, for many actors writing the cover note/letter is a chore. Here’s 7 ways to put some joy into your fingertips.
1. Take a few minutes to write about what’s on your mind first. When you sit down to write, clear away anything that’s floating around in your head by writing about it. Is your acting class a drag, your next door neighbor cute, your mailman creepy, your coffee delicious? Not only does writing about these things help get them out of your head, but you easily and naturally get into the flow of writing.
2. Write from a picture that inspires you. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Take any picture that relates to your goals and dreams and use it as your inspiration. Meryl Streep your favorite actress? A beautiful house on the beach where you’d like to be? Someone walking the red carpet? What about the picture of the actual industry professionals are writing to? Google images is a wonderful resource…find them, then either print them out or have them on your computer screen as you begin your note/letter.
3. Use a writing prompt. In grade school, teachers used written exercises to get students writing. You can easily create a prompt by imagining you’re in the office of the person you are writing to and that they are asking about YOU and what you offer. Then write your answers as you would speak them out loud. One of my favorites is, “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” You could also respond to the prompt of “Who else in the industry knows your work?” Just respond to the prompt, and see what comes of it. Like using a picture, this technique opens another door in your mind that allows you to think differently, and perhaps see options that weren’t there before to include in your note.
4. Just get it out. Remember that the first draft of anything written is NOT going to be perfect, so have fun with it! There’s no reason to struggle over your exact phrasing or sequence when you’re just going to go back over it and edit anyway. Stop critiquing your work so much, focus on getting the idea out, and play with the words
5. Try emulating an actor you admire. Think about why you like his/her work and then model what they might say in a note. Does he/she write and speak beautifully? Does he/she entertain when being interviewed on Letterman? Many actors have authored books and articles and post on the internet and have a great way with words. By pinpointing the things that you like you are able to bring these elements into your own writing.
6. Write out your plan first. It’s easier to outline what you’re going to write about rather than the actual writing of it. Are you going to write a quick note with bullet points of recent projects? Are you introducing yourself with a letter that includes reviews and bio information? How much is too much and how much is not enough? By planning first, you get more excited about the task, spurring the birth of more ideas. It also helps if you remember WHY you’re writing in the first place. What’s the ultimate outcome you want to produce? What exact ACTion on the reader’s part do you want them to take?
7. Reward yourself. This is a huge one! After writing out your plan, decide when and how to reward yourself. For example, after writing 6 cover notes/letters you can go out and get yourself a treat (whatever it is that makes you happy). Not only does this serve as inspiration to get those notes finished, but by rewarding your own successes you are establishing an invaluable system that can only generate more success!
Take these tips and try them out for yourself. See which ones work for you, and toss out the ones that don’t. And remember, when you’re frustrated or things aren’t flowing, let yourself laugh, and breathe.
I’d love to hear from some of you any tip, tricks, or techniques that you use to accomplish the “task” of cover note/letter writing. Please share them with the rest of our community by posting a comment! To your success, Lisa
My Big 5-0y Vey Birthday
/in General/by Lisa GoldIn our youth obsessed world, reflected HEAVILY in our show BUSINESS as well, I guess I’m an exception…but I have noticed that there’s been a shift of late. It seems that finally, as a society, the tables are starting to turn.
When I look at the Fall TV line-up of shows, some of the movies that have come out recently and the opening of my friend Donna’s off-B’way show, Cougar the Musical, I see the dawn of a new AGE (pun intended!)
We are embracing characters who are heavy set, gay, tattooed, pierced, odd, a variety of ethnicities, and yes, OLDER. We’ve come a long way from a time where the cookie cutter perfect and ideal TYPES of folks we watched as entertainment has now expanded to include “regular” looking people who reflect our general population…yes indeedy – art is FINALLY imitating life!
So why did it take so long? I think reality TV has had a hand in it. It used to be that we consumed entertainment as an escape from reality. Then along came the concept that watching real people in real situations with real problems was just as entertaining (and cheaper to produce!). Now our scripted material for actors has transformed to follow suit. That’s good news for everyone who has a desire to act, express themselves and offer their talent who may be slightly “less” than perfect in appearance.
So what does any of this have to do with me turning 50? It means that in the next half of my life, I have the exact same possibilities open to me that I had when I was younger! I often receive emails from “older” actors bemoaning the lack of roles or opportunities available as they have grown older, but I honestly think just the opposite is true. In fact actors entering the marketplace between the ages of 55 and 64 have increased by 300% from over a decade ago. People often choose acting as a “second career” after they’ve retired from the first one. They have more time and money resources than younger actors just out of school and are more likely to “hang in there” longer. Life experience also shows them that NOTHING is overnight, EVERYTHING takes longer than we expect, and that it’s just as much fun on the journey, as it is getting “there”…wherever that is!
I’m looking forward to creating opportunities on both coasts now that I’m traveling between markets. I’m looking forward to more commercial work as my age range is in DEMAND for the sale of products to baby boomers. I’m looking forward to enjoying myself on the journey, as I myself have come to KNOW that this career works best when my mind is in the right place. I’m looking forward…period!
My birthday party in New York was on 9/27 but my actual date of birth is 10-10-62, so it’s just around the corner! I can’t wait to celebrate it with friends, family and YOU! CLICK HERE to see the awesome pictures taken last week and check back later for images of a very happy girl (who is having a wine bottling party!) after the fact.
I’d also love to hear your comments about how you feel about age and your career. Do you think it has anything to do with you being cast or not? How about your weight, your ethnicity, or any other characteristics that are a part of you…that isn’t your talent? What do you THINK about these things and the impact it makes on your success? – Lisa Gold
We Were Meant to Meet
/in General/by Lisa GoldI just returned from another visit with Miss Fay, who at almost 90, is probably the most inspirational living person that I personally know. She thinks and speaks about living, not dying, though she knows she’s close (in years probably, not health wise…) and the power of “Happiness Now”. And she tells me, she was meant to meet me!
What I’ve come to find is that being gracious and grateful for the kindness, value and support the people we surround ourselves with doesn’t just make up our life, it IS our life! For some, Miss Fay may be difficult to take. She’s so damned cheerful, positive and in teaching mode, that a person’s natural inclination to stand anything that GOOD, makes most cringe, wanting to get away or find fault. Why is that?
Well, at the beginning it was kind of like that for me too. I kept looking for the fault, the thing that would make her human, the resentment she held, the prejudice, the hurt…but it never showed itself. Early on I resisted her showing me the way to properly hold a mixing spoon (I know how to hold a mixing spoon, damnit!) or how to peel a hard boiled egg.
Now I can’t wait to stand in her kitchen as she slowly and deliberately offers advice on proper containers for different kinds of food or which spice to add first, the pepper or the bay leaf. Now I soak up every bit of positivity I can because I know I am in the presence of a rare find, a gem, a guru, a true soul of a pure wise and giving human being.
She also said I will always remember her because she will never leave me. In physical form perhaps, but never in my heart. And she is right.
We were meant to meet and I am blessed and honored to visit her when I can and soak up such love and joy. I wish everyone could meet someone they are meant to, and share in the good vibrations that are available when you remain open to others. You never know who is going to make a large impact on your life…you just never know.
I have a richer life because Miss Fay is in it. As I write this, she approaches her 92 birthday. I want to be her when I grow up. A writer and a blogger herself, she longs to share her wisdom with more people and I urge you to please take a moment to see what I see. It would be great for you to make COMMENTS as that will add to her happieness. CLICK HERE to read what I call Fayisms. And also comment on this blog to tell me about the people that you have in your life like Miss Fay.
My Cougar Weekend
/in General/by Lisa GoldThe process has been more than 6 years in the making. Many readers have heard of this project via my emails and Facebook posts as I want and need this show to GO far. Menopause the Musical is the “business model” Cougar is patterned after, though the content of the musical is VERY different. Hhhuuum – menopause vs. hot vital women of a certain age – a no brainer!
It all started when I brought my gal pal to my friend Adam’s 30th birthday party. The subject of my (possibly?) being a Cougar came up and though Donna had never heard the term, had been so intrigued by the concept, that within a week she had written a song…that which is now the title song of the show. CLICK HERE to hear excerpts from a few other songs from the show.
6 some odd years later, after many OBSTACLES, producers, cast members, trials and tribulations with theaters, the union, and money issues, the show is going on! This is a testament to Donna’s vision and mission of bringing the enlightened message about “love being ageless” to the masses. The desire that this show duplicate it’s cast and tour the country, if not the world, is strong and shared by many people in my community. Being with Donna every step of the way until I left the East Coast to expand my business, I felt a little disconnected at the end…the home stretch as it were, but Donna has assured me this is only the beginning!
So with this writing I am embarking on the next stage of the adventure with her and am so excited! And isn’t that the same as an acting career, or
indeed every experience that leads us to the fruition of a vision for ourselves in all aspects of life? When I lead programs or coach actors in career matters, what I love to concentrate on the most is not the “how to do” but the “how to think and feel” about what there is to do. (By the way, there is a LOT to do!) Really, the journey never ends and if you have ups and downs along the way, how you “hold the thought” of the experience you’re having is MORE IMPORTANT than the experience of it “turning out” the way you thought.
You just can’t give up or give in to the negative thoughts. Cougar the Musical is a shining example of a vision realized and I could blog about 600 more pages about all of the ups and downs and experiences (good and bad) that happened on this journey so far…but I won’t.
I just leave you with this: If you want what you want, first figure out EXACTLY what that is. Visualize it, Intend that it
happen, Believe that it will, then be with the Experience of the journey. That’s V.I.B.E.
I now also co-lead programs outside of the acting community for everyone who wants to realize their dreams with a company called Raised Vibration. Our next program, Owning My Purpose, is scheduled for Nov. 1st through 4th in Phoenix, AZ. I’d love to have you join me.
Cougar the Musical has an open ended run at St. Luke’s Theater on Restaurant Row in New York, Wednesday and Friday nights at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. My GREATEST desire and one I VISUALIZE happening is that if you’re reading this in an archive in 2015, the show will STILL be going on in many formats, with multiple casts, and is one of the best and longest running shows in recent theatrical history! – Lisa Gold
My FAB Cougar girlfriends, Donna, Ayodele, Renee and Moi!
I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts on the subject of being a Cougar, being a Cougar lover AND about being patient in the process of bringing something from a vision to reality.
P.S. – Ahem, I want to thank all of the beautiful young “bucks” who slipped me their phone number that weekend. It FELT awesome and will look you up when I’m back in NYC!
Film Festivals – a Haven for Actorpreneurs
/in General, Newsletter/by Lisa GoldFrom Sundance to the New York Film Festival, TOP filmmakers present their works to the world, but so do the “little” guys (often actor/filmmakers)…and they’re the ones to watch!
Sick of me writing about the subject of money yet? I hope not. You can count on me FOREVER to remind you that you are an actor in a BUSINESS called SHOW BUSINESS and the bottom line in any biz is bucks!
Distributors and large studios love finding smaller films, produced on a shoestring, so they can scoop them up for a song and (hopefully) make huge profits. Of course the films have to be STELLAR…great cast, great story, shot beautifully…the whole package. This is a wonderful opportunity for actors with an entrepreneurial mind and business savvy to show their wares as actors and or producer.
Why it’s important to be an actorepreneur.
I admit that’s a made up word, but you get it. You want to make a living right? As an employee of a production, there’s always the “opportunity” to be out of work. As an entrepreneur who truly CREATES work for themselves and others, well, you’ve ALWAYS got something to do. In the world of Film Festivals, this is the chance for visionaries to be a part of the process of taking something from nothing to full fledged project.
Here’s a short list of prominent Film Festivals where you can achieve several of your creative goals at once. Do a little research and see if there’s a fit for your vision. The links take you to festivals that are currently open for submissions for 2013.
Sundance Film Festival
Atlanta Film Festival
Santa Barbara Film Festival
Miami Film Festival
Los Angeles Film Festival – Indie
And here is an amazing website that you can search over 400 festivals: CLICK HERE or simply GOOGLE for yourself!
To access our weekly newsletter archive, CLICK HERE.
To Your Success, Lisa Gold
Acknowledgement in this section isn’t only for actors! A HUGE round of applause please for one of my favorite entrepreneurs, Donna Moore.
Writing, producing and starring in her own musical for over 7 years in workshop form and cabaret, Donna’s vision is finally being realized in it’s off-Broadway debut this Sunday, August 26th. After years of persistence and stepping back from the lead role to lead the entire production as executive producer, she has created Cougar the Musical a mega hit already in previews. It’s my privilege and honor to let the “cat out of the bag” and also let you know Donna is my BFF girlfriend and I couldn’t be MOORE proud of her! I love ya sista! Check it out at www.cougarthemusical.com
Show Business Tips
Keeping a schedule. That’s the biggest tip I could offer anyone in business and especially show business where we live in a very unscheduled environment. We don’t know when our next audition is going to be or our call time for a gig sometimes even the night before. So how do you keep on track with the every day items that need your attention so you’ll always be working toward your goals?
I recommend the use of a Gmail calendar. I discovered this amazing tool that syncs to most smart phones as an invaluable way to put lists of activities in to actual time existence. Schedule a block of time, open it up and list the things you intend to accomplish in that block of time. BEWARE: Things always take longer than you think they do because of interruptions. And the beauty of the electronic format lets you move time from day to day or even into the next month with drag and drop ease. Just go to gmail.com and click on calendar to see what it’s all about! If it’s not in your schedule, it’s most likely not going to get done!