Air Date 10/7/2021
The Cost Factor
Everything has a cost factor. Every choice, decision, contribution, or process will always come with some measure of payment. It can be time, energy, or actual material payments but it will always need to be paid. For actors, the cost factor can be difficult to calculate. Our desire for creative success often comes with unanticipated costs. On today’s episode; the cost factor. Things you can do to avoid those decisions that ask more of you than you can spare.
The Cost factor 5 questions:
1. Can I identify the cost factor of decisions I make in my acting? (Physical, Mental Emotional).
2. How much risk make sense without it costing too much? (Auditions, business, career risks).
3. Am I closer to the goal/objective as a measure of what it costs? (Do classes = better auditions).
4. Will the demands placed on me, by me (my career) produce negative consequences? (Negative energy, self-harm, emotional stress)
5. Is mitigating the risk reducing the creative choices? (Fear vs safety).
Risk vs Reward
It’s been said that the more you take risks the bigger the reward. It makes for nice saying but it does not apply to everything. Being aware of what the potential cost factor might be, is a practical way to guide your decisions. Just because you can take the risk does not automatically imply there will be a reward. “What’s the worst that can happen” is actually helpful albeit providing negative answers. Taking time with the decisions you make will automatically serve as a measuring stick of sorts for your choices. Actors can benefit from such actions. Often the emotional reasoning an actor has for their decision outweighs the “bigger picture” practical side of the decision. Here are some examples to consider:
Assess where you are in your acting career and make a practical list of what need to come next.
Using the list, envision what the cost factors might be for each item on the list.
Consult with someone on the practical value of your list choices.
Re-assess the list and costs based on the consultation. Once this is done, you will have conquered the Cost Factor!