If you’re in this business, I’m going to make the assumption that you’re spending some portion of your week in class or coaching privately with a qualified professional.  I’m making that assumption so that I can get to the meat of this post, which is how much time OUTSIDE of the classroom are you spending working your craft?  I can always tell which one of my students are putting in that additional time and work.  I can also tell which one’s aren’t and if I can tell, so can a casting director.

• What you get out of a class or coaching is a direct reflection of what you put into it.  The hour or two a week that you spend training is just the foundation.
• Set aside time everyday to work on your scripts.  Depending on your schedule your may have to skip a day here and there, but figure out a schedule and commit to it.  If you have that commitment and you have to take an occaisional day off, you’ll still be on track.
• How much time you set aside depends on what you know you can tackle.  Don’t take on more than you can.  It can be stressful and overwhelming, so set a goal and increase your time as you progress.
• In the age of skype and any other way to cyberchat…you now have direct access to your scene partner without leaving the comfort of your home.  Use your resources wisely.
• Working on your craft, growing as an actor and as a person should be a wonderful experience, if you’re not enjoying the ride, it may be time to re-think your goals.
• In addition to working on your scripts-study, people, places and things.  Make sure you are constantly exercising all of your senses.
• “If you really want to do it, you do it. There are no excuses.”~Bruce Nauman

Without the work…your results will be less than stellar.