ARE YOU CALLED TO ACT

Here’s an excellent blog post by Anne Miranda on the HOSFU web site. To read the post, go HERE.

Here is a brief excerpt:

Show business is a difficult, time-consuming, and often disappointing arena. Many people take the time to hone their craft and become excellent actors, only to “wash out” and give up trying because of the many discouraging aspects of the business. … You could go a year, maybe two, without a paying acting job…

…I’m not trying to drop a heavy, wet blanket over all your dreams, but I am interested in whether you are CALLED to be an actor. Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of the promised land and give us God’s law. He faced quite a bit of rejection. He complained to God quite a bit. He was discouraged and depressed, but he kept on going. Why? He was CALLED by God…

For those of you not familiar with the HOSFU site, it really is a HUB for information and connections to the faith-based film industry.

I’ve been doing a lot of research over the past couple of months on faith-based film productions. As a Christian who is also a professional actor, I have a strong desire to participate in faith-based film productions. Over the years there have been many roadblocks to that end.

One of the biggest hurdles I’ve had to try to overcome and which still stands in the way, is the limited use of professional actors, members of SAG and/or AFTRA, in so called Christian films. Since there is a lot of debate on exactly what constitutes a ‘Christian Film’, I’ll use the term ‘faith-based’ film from here on out.

While there has been some acceptance of faith-based projects in mainstream filmmaking, it is rare. No doubt, where Hollywood sees a chance to make a buck, they will enter the market. That is sort of where the industry seems to be at this time. With the financial successes of projects like FACING THE GIANTS and FIREPROOF by Sherwood Pictures, companies like Lions Gate, producers of such fare as SAW, DOGMA, GODS AND MONSTERS and FARENHEIT 9/11 have moved into the family and faith-based arena with their Lions Gate Family Entertainment distributing such films as NO GREATER LOVE, a film that bears strong resemblance to fare one might see on the Hallmark channel, but with an overtly Christian theme and message.

These are positive signs for an audience interested in ‘family’ entertainment but particularly for an audience interested in faith-based projects that have solid, professional talent in front of and behind the camera.

So check out the blog post on the HOSFU site that is linked above. There is great information in the post. And great encouragement as well. As I’ve long told people who ask me if they should pursue a career in professional acting: If you can do something else and be happy and fulfilled, then DO NOT become an actor. If, however, not becomming a professional actor will leave a ‘hole in your soul’, then give it prayerful consideration. IF you are CALLED, you can’t and shouldn’t do anything else.