Stay In Your Own Lane

“With any part you play, there is a certain amount of yourself in it. There has to be, otherwise it’s just not acting. It’s lying.” — Johnny Depp

What exactly do I mean by staying in your own lane? Simple. Stop trying to be something that you’re not. That might seem like pretty odd advice coming from somebody that makes a living representing actors. But hear me out.

Too many actors try to be like other “successful” actors and that’s bullshit. It’s all about doing your own thing and owning that space. If you’re an indie type, own it. If you’re character type, or leading man/woman type, own that. Whatever it is, be you. Don’t try to pigeonhole yourself into a category you don’t fit. Get it?

Everybody has a different career trajectory. For some, success comes easy. However, for the vast majority of aspiring actors it takes years, even decades, before they get their first big break. And because of this actors often steer away from what made them unique in the first place to try and fit into a category they think will bring them more opportunities.

That’s a huge mistake.

You don’t have to lose weight, or cut your hair, or change your name, or move to another city/state, or do genres you’re not comfortable with, or material/projects you don’t feel connected to. That’s not going to make you a better actor. You are who you are, as a person, and as an artist. OWN IT.

What makes you valuable as an actor is your uniqueness. Only you can do you. And once you embrace that, you’ll be more focused and have more opportunities. Staying in your lane when you first start off is critical. Too many young actors change lanes too quickly and get lost in the traffic.

You’ll have plenty of time to expand your creative universe as you evolve as an artist, and in your career. But when starting off it’s hugely important to know your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of growth and be the very best version of yourself possible.

The two worst strategic mistakes I see actors make are prematurely giving up and changing everything they’re doing to fit into a certain mold. That doesn’t work. Don’t resort to mimicking, copying or trying to be like somebody else. People will always tell you do this or do that but honestly you need to stop caring about other people’s opinions and start listening/trusting your own.

Everything I do comes from my soul. This is the reason if things don’t work out the way I had hoped I can live with it. Haters don’t hurt me, because they don’t know me. If it wasn’t me, they’d be hating on someone else. I know who I am and that gives me power. And as an artist, you need to do the same.

Nothing substitutes authenticity. Be bold. Takes risks. But when in doubt, do you.