Remaining On The Saddle With My Goals!

Hello, my fellow artists! Welcome to another exciting edition of my weekly blog. As you all know, I have two goals that I am focusing on this year. And each week, I am alternating between the two goals to provide updates that are hopefully inspiring and engaging. This week, we are back to my acting goal for 2024: Book supporting roles in feature films produced and distributed by independent or mid-sized studios.

Hollywood is currently in a state of contraction, creating limited opportunities for actors, writers, casting directors, executives, and other departments. The entertainment industry is still dealing with the effects of a world-wide pandemic, last year’s strikes, budget cuts, artificial intelligence, and the consolidation/sale of media companies. That being said, I am still remaining on the saddle and not giving up. I will continue forward with what I have control over: the administration that is listed in my Declaration of Independence (DOIN). Keep reading below 🙂

Since my last update on my acting goal progress, I have researched U.S. indie directors and producers whose films screened at the 2024 Sundance and SXSW film festivals (A few weeks ago, I researched a few 2023 film festivals.) I still have to tackle the upcoming 2024 Cannes, Tribeca, Telluride, and Toronto film festivals. I’m looking at these specific film festivals because the independent films that screen there are the kinds I want to be in and the kinds that already have distribution in place with a mid-sized or independent movie studio like A24, Focus Features, Neon, Searchlight, and Sony Pictures Classics, or will acquire a distribution deal with them after they screen. These are compelling, engaging, interesting, and unique films that speak to me. Through my research, I get to see what’s out there and what is being made. Which films speak to me so that I can watch them later? Who are the directors and producers behind these films? Who are the casting directors behind these films? How can I outflow to them in a supportive and professional way? Keep reading below 🙂

I’ve also looked at more Casting Access classes to see if any of the casting directors from my target list are participating in them. Again, I’ve created a specific list of casting directors who have cast independent and/or mid-sized studio films over the last five years that have impinged me. This list may grow once I watch the films I wrote down from the 2023 and 2024 film festivals. I’ve also made movement to expand my relationship map to continue building meaningful relationships built on professionalism, support, and a mutual love for art. Keep reading below 🙂

What are you doing to stay in the saddle? Are you creating your own content? Are you enrolled in an acting or writing class? Do you have an artistic collective or group that meets once a week to create art? I’d love to read your comments below. See you all next week!

Photo courtesy of: https://www.doversaddlery.com/how-to-select-and-size-an-english-saddle-for-a-rider/a/519/