Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1350781
S O Y O U W A N N A B E A N A C T O R 153 The Speed of the Industry "The other thing that was really unexpected was like the speed at which the film and television industry works. Iit's super, super slow. It's weeks before you hear back from somebody. You did an audition the last week of November and you hear back the first week of January, and they're like, 'All right, we want a call back, be ready for three days from now." Anna knows all about the patience and flexibility required in working in an industry that runs on its own time. "Things can happen super, super fast when sometimes things take a really long time. Manage your expectations on when you're going to hear something; don't give up hope on certain projects." Anna suggests not losing hope on a role unless you hear they have started filming. "The film and television industry is really competitive, but your experience and the people that you surround yourself with, that's really up to you. You can't avoid toxic people in the workplace all the time, but you can choose who you support, who supports you." The film industry can be cutthroat, but there are things you can do to shape your experience. "You choose your attitude and your outlook on certain projects that, even the most draining ones, there's always a little bit of light in there." The perspective you bring to each experience can be a game-changer. "Before entering this industry, I wish I knew that my experience was what I made. My support groups are what I made them. My peers are who I chose them to be. Yeah, it's competitive. It's fast paced. Sometimes it's really, really tough, but your experience as an actor is what you make it." You can look back on even tough projects and find moments of fun or moments that were rewarding. You do need to go into things with your eyes open, even if you can reframe when it's all over. "I wish I knew how to read contracts and I wish I knew my entitlements as an actor. I wish I knew what it meant to be ACTRA and what it meant to be Non-ACTRA. These are things that I still don't completely understand, but I have an agent now that helps me understand these different things."