Stop Building Every Job Up: The Reality of Acting Work
For many years, I fell into a very familiar trap—building up every acting job as the one. You know the feeling: This job will change everything. That audition, that callback, that potential role. It all becomes wrapped in fantasies of career-altering success. I’ve done it countless times. And now, after years in the industry, I can say this with absolute clarity:
It’s a lie. Every. Single. Time.
I don’t mean to sound cynical. In fact, I say this to be empowering—because the sooner you stop tying your self-worth or career trajectory to individual jobs, the sooner you gain power and peace in this business.
The 20-Something Dream
Back in my twenties, I truly believed that if I just got that one role, things would finally click into place. The truth? Most of those jobs—if I got them at all—didn’t do much beyond the paycheck. Sure, a decent fee might make a temporary difference (and trust me, I was always smart with my money), but there was no grand moment of transformation.
Acting jobs come and go. Sometimes they pay well. Sometimes they don’t. But they rarely change your life in the way you imagine. I learned this through experience. And one thing that helped me survive those highs and lows? A good old-fashioned part-time job.
Yes, even while booking solid acting work, I kept a day job. When things were slow, I’d pick up extra shifts. That consistency gave me stability. It gave me freedom. I wasn’t waiting for some imaginary “big break” to rescue me—I was building my own foundation.
Dreaming Big vs. Seeing Clearly
It’s still hard not to get swept up when a seemingly major opportunity lands in your inbox. A big network, a known director, maybe even a role that speaks to your soul. Suddenly you're imagining red carpets, award shows, and finally proving your worth to anyone who ever doubted you.
Now, of course, there’s always that very small percentage of actors who land a breakthrough role straight out of drama school and go on to play Legolas in The Lord of the Rings. It happens. And when it does, it’s magical. But for the overwhelming majority of us, that’s not the path. And that’s okay.
But here’s where things get interesting: even when you do get that dream role… it often doesn’t change a thing.
Let me share a real example. I landed a proper part in a new ITV drama—opposite incredible talent. The show attracted 9 million people per episode. And then… nothing. No new wave of offers. No flood of self-tapes. Just me, back where I started. And that’s not unusual.
A friend of mine was in a hit U.S. show filmed in the U.K. She even landed an American manager. The show ended two years ago—and she hasn’t booked a TV or film role since. She's been doing beautiful, dedicated work in theatre. Not because she lacks talent—far from it. Sometimes that’s just how it goes.
A Revolutionary Moment in My Own Backyard
I remember when my agent called to tell me I’d booked Black Mirror. I was in my garden, digging up heavy clay soil—sweaty, focused, hands in the earth. She was so excited. I took in the information, smiled, and said, “That’s awesome!”—then went straight back to digging.
A few minutes later, I paused and thought to myself: Wow. I’ve done it. Not “I’ve made it”. But—I’ve reached a place where my level of happiness didn’t change after the call. I felt just as calm and content before the phone rang as I did after hearing the news.
It was such a small moment, but a HUGE revelation for my mental health. That moment showed me that my peace, joy, and stability were no longer tied to booking the job. I wasn’t waiting for something external to validate me. And that kind of freedom? That’s priceless. That was the real win.
What the Industry Really Teaches You
Have you ever watched a film and thought, Wow, that actor is incredible—where have they been all my life? Then you check their IMDb… and it’s practically empty? That’s the industry. So many brilliant actors doing great work in small bursts, with quiet gaps in between.
It’s not depressing. It’s reality. And when you embrace reality, you can finally stop panicking. You can stop tying your value to jobs you might or might not book. You can audition with clarity, not desperation.
Now, when something “big” comes my way, I don’t get carried away. I show up, I do the work, and then I let it go. And if it does turn out to be life-changing? Great. But if not—I’m steady, and I’m still moving forward.
Building a Life, Not Just a Career
These days, my full-time job is running Owning It Acting Studio. I still act, but the studio is my foundation—my purpose, my structure, and my way of giving back. I’m not waiting for Hollywood to discover me. I’ve already discovered what I need: stability, community, and the courage to keep going, job or no job.
And that’s what I want to help you build, too.
Sending you warm hugs,
Natalia
