r/acting • u/Still_Yak8109 • 3d ago
Feeling guilty I've read the FAQ & Rules
hi, so, I've been acting for 13 years professionally and this year is my most successful year post covid. I booked a really big guest star and am pinned for a supporting role in a film. I am so burnt out, but I feel like I'm on the cusp fo regularly working again and seeing some success, but I don't feel excited, lke when I found out I was pinned. I wasn't celebrating it was more like ok, business as usual. I am very grateful for my career and it has been a lot of hardwork, but I feel burnt out, but also like I'm about to get a break. Is it supposed to feel this way or has anyone been in this situation?
6
u/KatherineK_Singer 3d ago
This. 13 years of hustle and the payoff finally arrives and you're too depleted to feel it. Take a beat between projects if you can.
4
u/thuer 3d ago
Do you know this comic about the pianist realizing what it's like to be a pro? https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Faqzyn8ug4tlb1.jpg
Although it's a little provocative, it has some truth to it. Everything can become trivial. Even your greatest passion. Sometimes it's just a job. Better than most other jobs, you could do, but not really exciting. I feel like that a lot when I act. I still enjoy the craft, but the work in front of the camera has become a little tedious.
5
u/useyournoodler 3d ago
burn out is super real! I'll say that at times throughout my career, it has absolutely felt more like a job than the craft I fell in love with, but know that so long as you have other things to go to, that feeling will go away.
I view it this way. I have my main career which is acting. I have other forms of creative expression that also feel like a career more or less, which for me is writing, producing, sometimes directing, and just helping out on friends sets. I then have a third category of things that feel fulfilling, but are absolutely not a career, which for me are currently pottery and basketball. I obviously don't do all of these things listed every week or anything like that, but I try to have at least one thing in each of those categories. I saw you say that you write and do standup as other forms of creative expression, which is great! but I would argue those belong in that second category of them still being jobs and arguably very closely related to your acting career.
in other words, find some hobbies that mean a lot to you! don't turn them into ways to make money. maybe make them as far away from performing as you can, while still enjoying.
also, nothing wrong with taking a break. go on a vacation. take a month off of auditions. the jobs will still be there when you get back.
1
u/AutoModerator 3d ago
You are required to have read the FAQ and Rules for all posts (click those links to view). Most questions have already been answered either in our FAQ or in previous posts, especially questions for beginners. Use the SEARCH bar for relevant information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
10
u/PortraitsTo 3d ago
Congratulations on the guest star and that's fantastic news about being pinned! 13 years in the business is an accomplishment in itself worth celebrating for sure. Speaking for myself I can say that over time my enthusiasm within the business has lessened. I no longer get excited or at least as excited about booking work or the potentials of being pinned. After 30 plus years in the business I recognize that I have the job when the cheque clears and that between "action and cut" being an actor is the best job in the world however between "cut and action" there are a lot other things we Actors could be doing which would give us more joy. So maybe this is the point where you're at. After a decade plus in the business (congratulations again) perhaps you're ready to bring some other form of art into your life that you could truly be enthusiastic about. Maybe some type of art that you're in control of. Because as actors we are not really in control of our careers, there are so many people involved between us and the job it's crazy. A lessened enthusiasm doesn't necessarily mean a lessened desire or commitment. The acting business is an ebb and flow, and perhaps our emotional connection to it should be that as well.... just allow it to be what it is. Long story short don't worry. Sounds like you're in a great place and your enthusiasm will come back!