Why Do You Want To Act?
As an actor in a world where uncertainty can be a big part of life, it is important to reconnect with what has deep meaning for you. In other words; your values. This is the most fundamental ingredient to creating your desired outcome. When I speak of values, I don’t 
necessarily mean your family, religious or social values. I mean the principles that you find uniquely important and inspiring to you.
You will understand your values when they are fulfilled somehow, when someone violates them, and when you make a conscious effort to discover them. Values are such things as creativity, communication, freedom, independence, learning, self-control, fairness, humor, punctuality, justice, love and so on…
If you take a moment to think about your goals around being an actor and ask what the value is that you hold in that, what words come up? It helps to write them down. Pick one that stands out. If you then ask yourself, “What does …………….. (this value) allow me to have, be, or do that is even more important to me?” you may notice the answer is another, much deeper value. For example, ‘creativity’ might become ‘inspiration’. Write yours down.
If you then ask that same question about the deeper value, (”What does ‘inspiration’ (your value) allow me to have, be, or do that is even more important to me?” you may get to an even deeper one. You can keep going until you feel you have reached a value that is really at your core… (’Inspiration’ might become ‘connection’. That then might become ‘love’ which then becomes ‘oneness’ for example.)
You may have discovered that the ‘creativity’ (your first value) of being an actor might be all about seeking ‘oneness’ (a core value for you). This is not about intellectually understanding that the reason you want to be an actor is to experience oneness. What asking these questions does is get you in touch with the FEELINGS that your system seeks in making the goals you make. When you FEEL the values as you move toward the core ones, you get your system aligned with the higher purpose behind it all and you then trigger a creative movement in your life. In order to manifest anything you need to first and foremost feel it in your physical and emotional bodies.
In returning to your original purpose for being an actor you unify your beliefs, values, interests, desires and actions and your sense of who you are. You connect with why you’re even in it and get your whole being involved again. Those great feelings are what will create the outcomes you want!
Role Descriptions for TV and Film
TELEVISION
Series Regular – You play a main character on a television show and appear in almost every episode of the season.
Guest Star – You play a character that has a significant part in the storyline of an episode and you would likely appear in multiple scenes. Your name will appear in the opening credits.
Co-star – You play a supporting role and have less dialogue than a guest star. You are likely in one scene and your character is there to support the main characters and help move along the storyline. Your name will appear in the closing credits.
Recurring – You play a character that appears in more than one episode. This can be a guest starring role or co-starring role.
Under 5 – You have a role with less than 5 lines. At times, these roles can be bumped up to co- star.
Featured – You do not have lines but your role is given special focus.
Extra – You do not have lines and are in the background of scenes.
FILM
Lead – You play a main character in a film.
Supporting – You play a significant character in a film and your role supports the lead characters.
Cameo – You are a well known celebrity playing a smaller role.
Day-player – You have a small part that is usually shot in one day.
