Just Keep Going
- Daisy Mae
- Mar 16, 2016
- 2 min read
Your Job Is to Not Let Them Win
''What in the world would I say to a young Reed Birney as he started his career in show biz? Jeez, it feels like that could take as long as my 41-year career. The first thing I think I would say to him (and I say this to my students) is that his full-time job would be to not let Them win. The business is designed to make you feel terrible about yourself; the world doesn’t need another actor, and what in the world makes you think we need you? The whole trick is creating a demand for yourself, and how do you do that? Come on!
When I say not letting Them win, I mean you have to find a way to stay at least at zero on the depression/despair meter. If you let them get to you and you walk in the room full of rage and despair, they can smell it, and I think a big X goes right next to your name. “He’s a talented guy, but he seems dark and might be trouble.” I’m not saying you need to play the glad game right through (though it’s not a bad idea), but you have to be able to go in at neutral at least so your work isn’t colored by any emotional baggage.
It’s harder than you think. After years of rejection and seeing the guy you did your first showcase with win an Oscar, it is extremely difficult to not feel shut out of the party. This leads to days in bed and tiresome rants at lunch with friends. But you’re letting Them win...''
by Reed Birney
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