Don't let the venn diagram get you down

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.” - Lao Tzu 

The biggest pratfall to fall into as an actor is in comparing yourself with your peers. It is the surefire trap I walk into again and again, and the industry is set up so these little mines are everywhere. From who you train with to who you meet in the audition room to people you probably will never meet or work with in your life. The temptation to compare your life path that those that surround you is so overwhelming that you could be doing it even unconsciously. 

Example: I watched the Oscars about a week ago, like most other young women without a date on a Sunday night. 

I have never wanted I man purely for his looks but if the shoe fits...

I watched Jennifer Lawrence win her Oscar for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook, and only on her second nomination. She is 22. The exact same age as me. In fact she is ONLY a month older than me. 

…

I’ll let that sink in for a minute. I could very easily throw a hissy fit about how life is unfair and how I could give just as engaging or fun a performance as her if given the chance (Hint: I did). But here’s the thing, Jennifer Lawrence and I are on completely different career paths. I mean, would I like to win an Oscar? Yeah! But do I have the film experience she has? Not yet. 

On the other hand would you ever catch Jennifer spouting Shakespeare both onstage and in vineyards and such? More than likely not. Would she like to give it a try? I can’t honestly say… But I would pay good money to see her give it a try. 

Welcome to my world...

The point? I’ve used Jennifer as an unfair example, but the point remains the same. There are times when I get really sad and depressed when I try to compare myself to those around me. Those that I went through my sequence with. Those whom I’ve met though my various auditions. Even people who are NOT actors, like at all. I’m talking people I see at the grocery store. THE DEEP FUNK CAN GO THAT PETTY PEOPLE!

To combat this though, some very important people have kept my head on straight. They have pointed me back to the work that I am focusing on and the things I can control. I will be a major part of a production this summer, I get to work with some amazing people in multiple companies, I am cape diem-ing the heck out of every opportunity that comes at me. Will the Oscar dream ever come true… I honestly don’t know. But I do know that when that audition or performance chance comes a knocking I will already be mid pounce.

 

Oh, and just to clarify, I adore Jennifer Lawrence. I think anyone that can be that funny/grounded AND have the talent to back it up it my kind of person. So Jen have your people call my people, and let’s do lunch. 

Cheers!

Tamara