Tips for Artists During Quarantine (from an Agent)

 “Times is hard” right now during quarantine.  It feels like the world should be our oyster with all of this newly found time to be productive, but if you’re like me, the day can pass in the blink of an eye when I fail to simply get started on a task or project.

Here’s the thing… that’s okay!  We don’t need to write the next great American novel or train for a marathon right now.  Nor should we compare ourselves to Shakespeare or anyone else who accomplished a great deal during troubled times.  In general, as artists, it is never in our best interest to spend time comparing ourselves to others, but it can be beneficial to allow ourselves to be inspired by them. 

Here are some tips from me (an agent) to you (an artist) during this unprecedented quarantine:

 

1.     TAKE CARE OF YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH FIRST.

Before we can be artists, we must be human beings.  Part of maintaining good mental health, is not putting pressure on ourselves to do too much or convincing ourselves that we are somehow “behind.”  In the same way that we should not jog on a broken ankle or belt on swollen vocal folds, it is important to not push ourselves to the limit.  We need to listen to our bodies and take note of how we are feeling.  Exercise, meditation, journaling, and spending time with loved ones can all contribute to a better headspace and “bodyspace” where we can begin creating.

 

2.     IF YOU FEEL INSPIRED TO CREATE, CREATE.

Now is the time to unapologetically make art.  We are much less confined by deadlines, seasons, EPA sign ups, travel time, 16 bars, etc.  There are no rules right now.  For type-A people like me, that can be scary.  But it is the time for us to practice a different set of rules, the rules of improv: follow our impulses, say “yes and,” and stop judging ourselves throughout the process.  We cannot go wrong in following our creative instincts when they kick in—see what happens!

 

3.     RESTING IS OKAY TOO!

If creativity is not striking, that is okay!  We need to give ourselves permission to take breaks or days off.  It is all part of finding balance and refueling our bodies so that they are ready when inspiration does come knocking.

 

4.     WHEN IN DOUBT, DO WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY.

So much of being an actor (not in quarantine) is reliant on the confines of specific assignments: learning lines, preparing for auditions, type, refining certain skills, largely because SOMEONE IS TELLING US WHAT TO DO AND WHO WE ARE.  Now is the time for us to remind ourselves why we love our art and how we got here in the first place.  Relive childlike confidence.  Sing for fun.  Find material that is completely against type and do it.  Learn a joke.  Take a dance class slightly below your level to feel like a complete master.  Do something that is rewarding in itself with no outside validation required and FEEL FREE.

 

5.     EVEN A SMALL CREATION IS BIG ENOUGH.

Write a (play)—> page.  Add (five)—> one new song(s) to your book.  Practice for (an hour)—> thirty minutes.  Film a (short film)—> scene.  Re-do (all)—> one part of your website.  Every little bit is something.  And not only is something is better than nothing, but it becomes the building block to something bigger.

 

6.     YOU MIGHT NOT GET THE RESPONSE YOU WANT RIGHT NOW.

Now might feel like the time to be extremely proactive in terms of reaching out to industry members for feedback and suggestions because after all, there is “so much time.”  Unfortunately, with the industry in flux and practically every project on hold, now is not the time to do reach outs and unsolicited submissions.  Casting directors like to think about actors with a project in mind.  Regional theatres and Off-Broadway houses are concerned about if/how they can recover from this financial hit.  Certain industry professionals we have corresponded with in the past might currently be furloughed from their positions.  Even with requested self-tapes, project dates might not exist yet.  For all of these reasons, reach outs that extend beyond checking in with people’s well-being during this time are not recommended.  This does not mean we shouldn’t make that self-tape!  It just might get seen later on.

 

7.     WATCHING TV IS RESEARCH (IN MODERATION).

Now is the time to binge watch that show we’ve always meant to see or take inventory of recent releases and get a sense of the worlds they’ve created.  Not only is referencing popular shows part of our vernacular, but informed actors will know which shows film in our city and who casts them.  That is not to say that all TV-watching should be homework.  Walter White can be balanced with a little Jessica from Love is Blind.

 

8.     THE SECRET TO GETTING AHEAD IS GETTING STARTED.

We live in a world where even beginning a seven-season show can feel daunting, but once we press play, open that book, pull out that guitar, or put on our running shoes, we are one step closer to achieving our goals.  Take that first step.  You are enough.  Your art is enough.  You’ve got this.