[NoHo Arts District, CA] – This month’s acting blog from Fran Montano of Actors Workout Studio discusses “Don’t Stop Creating.”
I took some time off this summer and did some traveling. When I returned I reached out to my current and former students asking what they’ve been up to.
I was wonderfully surprised to see that on one particular weekend in September there were a large number of my actors that were in film festivals around the country. Some shorts, some features, and many more telling me they were working on theirs and others were almost finished. I was amazed by the number of actors who responded.
What is most exciting to me is that in nearly every one of these instances, it is the actors who were involved in the creative process, and it is their personal project. Yes, also many actors booked commercials, stage, TV, and film but these particular actors actually created, developed, and produced their own material.
My note to them and to those of you reading here is this.
These projects would never have existed or be seen by the world without your creativity, passion, drive, and desire to express yourselves.
And the material was not only entertaining, but educational, stimulating, and insightful in the area of the human condition.
This is so much in the vision and mission statement of The Actors Workout Studio which is, “You don’t come here just to study, you come here to work.” I’m so proud of all of you.
What kind of artist are you? Are you waiting for someone else to hire you so you can work? Do you want to create projects yourself and not be waiting around for someone else to recognize you?
I suggest you do both. While you’re waiting for your phone to ring, be creative.
We are in a time where the technology is inexpensive and available that you can do that. The shooting, editing, and effects are easily done very economically. There is YouTube, Facebook, Google, TikTok, and so many more places to distribute. This is a great time for artists to be seen and heard and to give your message.
When I was a younger actor, the only way to do that was through theater. I loved it, and spent many years where I was either in preproduction, rehearsal, or performing on stage. All with projects that I created. And all the while enjoying getting hired by someone else to collaborate on their project. It kept me alive, passionate and creatively satisfied. The difference there was when the play was over, no one could see it. And people out of town didn’t get a chance to see it.
Now your work is evergreen, it can be seen forever and anywhere on the planet. This is a great time for artists to create.
Don’t just sit around and wait, create.
Fran Montano
Actors Workout Studio