I get a lot of spam so I moderate all of my comments. I only get a few per post, if any at all, but I post them all. I was reading a few of my comments today and one was so...intriguing, that I had to write a post about it right away. It was written is response to my November 22nd post, "Finding Your Own Path".
This is from "Becca":
I don't think anyone has ever said something so complimentary, yet simultaneously insulting to me. While I appreciate her compliments on my looks and perceived success, I take slight offense to her assertion that I'm only booking jobs because I'm pretty. I also feel that her statement is the embodiment of what I was warning against in the post that prompted her to write this.
She's right, not everyone is "pretty". I put "pretty" in quotes because what constitutes beauty is completely subjective...that's another story. Anyway, you don't have to be pretty to be successful, the same way being pretty doesn't mean you will be successful. I don't just book jobs because I'm pretty. I'm also hard working, I consistently do well in castings and photoshoots, casting directors and clients know that I will be professional on set, and I'm a generally pleasant person to be around. All of those factors apply to what makes a person bookable.
Now let's take a look at the industry as a whole. Yes, movie stars and TV stars are, for the most part, attractive or very attractive. But "stars" only make up a small part of the industry. There are tens of thousands of regular working actors who book consistently (sometimes more than stars) and range from gorgeous to downright funny looking. Most commercial actors are average looking or attractive, meaning the average viewer isn't intimidated by them. Their looks are "accessible" to the masses and they make up the majority of actors in commercials. Example: Every other commercial depicts a pretty wife, with an average looking husband that fucks something up, forcing the wife to save the day by utilizing whatever product is being peddled in said commercial.
Everyone has heard the phrase "In New York (or Los Angeles) beautiful girls are a dime a dozen". It's the truth. At every casting, there are going to be 100 pretty girls, and a handful will book the job. For every pretty girl that books regularly enough to support herself, there are 10 pretty girls that are still waiting tables full time. Some of these girls are really talented, some suck. But they are proof that beauty is only a small component in what it takes to make a career out of modeling and acting.
So, you may not be the prettiest girl or guy, but everyone has something special and unique that they bring to the table. Maybe you're really funny, or you're a great character actor, or your talent rivals Meryl Streep's. Take what makes you special and use it to your advantage. That's what all successful actors and models do. And once again, stop worrying about the person next to you. While you're busy comparing yourself to them, they're out there finding success.
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