i've been lying to you

I’m not a 6 figure actor

I never have been.

By that I mean, I have never earned over £100,000 in one year.

You’d be forgiven to think that’s what this newsletter is about.

But it’s not

Not really

What it is really about is a practice

A practice of refusing to buy into the mantras of old:

"I am only as good as my last job"

"If I haven't 'made it' by [age], it's too late"

"Real actors shouldn't need financial stability"

"When I am not in acting work, I feel great shame"

"I can't afford to say no to an audition (even if i hate it)"

"I don't deserve to feel secure until i've had my big break"

"I was warned that it was hard, so I have no grounds to complain"

"It's selfish to want both creative fulfillment AND financial security"

"I haven't been picked to do an acting job in x months and that's my fault"

"I haven't been selected by the big dogs yet, so I don't deserve to feel secure"

"Success means being chosen by the establishment/industry gatekeepers"

"Creative fulfillment and financial security are not possible until fame"

"I will feel secure in a few years when everything comes together"

"My artistic integrity means I shouldn't care about money"

"My creativity is only valuable when a big dog validates it"

"I will probably need to quit acting if i want a family"

"Side hustles mean I'm failing as an actor"

"I will start a family when i feel secure"

"I'm a [barman] not an artist"

“I suck”

All these do a terrific job of distracting us from our core question:

How can actors live lives of creative fulfillment AND financial stability in an industry that increasingly offers neither?

More and more it’s clear that our answer lies in the following:

• Breaking free of an inherited and outdated mentality: "in order to do our best work, we must be picked by an industry gatekeeper". We must feel free enough to pursue the work we want to do. Not the work we feel forced to do. Giving ourselves the freedom and power to choose our own path forward. If we don't, then what was the point of doing this in the first place?

• Finding new and creative ways to increase our income. We must explore better ways to make money. Whether it's investing in ourselves by learning future-proof skills, building a better side hustle, or just budgeting better. We must reject the notion that an actor's choice is between lucking into the top 5%, or destitution. Experimenting online will be key here.

• Making our own work instead of relying on others to give it to us. The earlier we start creating our own assets - work that could bring us royalties, the better. Generating art that works for us over time, not just once. If we can find the audience, then what else is there? Fuck the industry norm that actors are merely performers who should stay in their lane and wait to be chosen.

• Embracing what makes us different. Developing our uniqueness - a voice that no one can copy. Standing out boldly rather than blending in. Being ourselves, not a weaker version of someone else. We must find the courage in our own story.

• Building a mental game to weather the tough times. Resilience means seeing creative lows as part of the process, not failure. Creating systems to keep going despite rejection. Rejecting the myth that suffering equals artistic worth.

• We must have the bravery to execute our ideas into reality. That means showing up daily, even when motivation is low. Building momentum through small, compounding steps. Failing sometimes. But always taking risks and executing them boldly.

In brief, the 6 elements that form a roadmap of sorts are:

freedom
income
generate work
uniqueness
resilience
execution

oh look at what that spells

who knew.

Each element represents both where I've been and where I'm going.

I've had successes and setbacks with each one:

Some days I know exactly who I am, other days I don't have a bloody clue. Sometimes I make work that could bring me security for the foreseeable future, other times I wake up at 3am, sweating, certain that I will never work again.

This is not a formula I have perfected, and I am not selling it from my yacht. I don't have a yacht.

This is something I am carving out for myself. A new way of doing things.

Because I've tried the old way - It's broken and we all know it.

This roadmap is giving me direction when the industry offers none.

I invite you to come with me. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't, we’ll figure this out together.

I have been lying to you

I’m not a 6 figure actor

yet

See you next week.

Thanks for all your amazing responses to last weeks email. Those who did - your gifts are on the way!

I love hearing from you guys - I’m in need of any wins you want to share, questions, rants, ideas. I reply to everyone - this week the gift will be musical themed.

P.S. If you know anyone who might enjoy this newsletter, please share this link with them or use the socials up top. I appreciate you.

Something I can do for you
P.P.S. If you're ready to ditch your soul-crushing side hustle and become an audiobook narrator from home, sign up here.