Art and Entrepreneurship

Source: Refe

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with a young actor about the business of The Business. He’s an acting student at a local university, and wanted to learn more about what life is really like for someone to pursue acting as a profession.

It’s not easy, but it’s a lot of fun, for starters. But it’s also work. Making art isn’t just about the spark of mad genius that inspires you to choreograph an amazing dance piece, or paint a masterwork, or write the Great American Novel. Making art is about making mistakes, putting work out there into the world, and also about discipline.

Discipline is not often a word associated with artists. Often, we’re called flaky or flighty – off in search of the next gig and the next piece of shiny candy. It may be true for some of us. But for those of us who really want to work in this business, we understand that it requires us to channel our artistic abilities through a lens of focused discipline.

Discipline For the Artist:

… to keep working at your art: taking classes for acting, singing, playing an instrument

… to be seen working at your art: by attending casting director workshops, performing in showcases, networking with other artists, and decision makers in the business

… to perform your art: by auditioning and auditioning and auditioning until you book work. And then to head to set, booth, studio – and rock the hell out of your performance

… to manage the work that funds your art until (one fine day) the art funds your life: the temp job, the 9-5, the restaurant gig – so you can pay for the headshots, the copies of your script, the demos, the classes, a roof over your head, gas in your car and food on the table

… to keep up with your network of professional contacts, your auditions, and your work and still have time…

…to nurture your body and soul with exercise, whatever spiritual practice you choose and relationships with close friends, family, loved ones.

…to keep your focus on the big picture, and to never, ever, ever give up (thanks Winston Churchill).

Not everybody understands that you’re on the job 24/7. Not everybody understands that you can’t go out tonight because you have rehearsal, or because you need to run your lines so you’re off book (fully memorized) for your audition/shoot/rehearsal. It’s our job to keep our focus and also to keep our loved ones in the loop so we can live our dreams and still be respectful to those we love. It’s our job to know when to focus on work and when to focus on play. And it’s our job to show up prepared, with grace and professionalism.

Funny thing – I think this also holds true for those of us who aspire to be business owners – the entrepreneurs and solopreneurs:

Discipline For the Entrepreneur:

… to keep working at your business: doing research, meeting with people, securing funding, growing staff and capabilities

… to be seen working at your business: by attending events, networking with other business leaders, speaking at events and generally making connections

… to perform at your business: to ship your product or service, and grow a reputation for being awesome at what you do – whether that’s great word of mouth, industry recognition or press

… to manage the work that funds your business until (one fine day) the business funds your life: the temp job, the 9-5, the restaurant gig so you can fund the events, the startup activities, the payroll, as well as keep a roof over your (and your family’s) head and food on the table and gas in the car

… to keep up with your network of professional contacts, your meetings and your work and still have time…

…to nurture your body and soul with exercise, whatever spiritual practice you choose and relationships with close friends, family, loved ones.

…to keep your focus on the big picture, and to never, ever, ever give up (thanks Winston Churchill).

Not everybody understands that you’re on the job 24/7. Not everybody understands that you can’t go out tonight because you’re dealing with a logistics crisis, or you’re prepping for a huge pitch. It’s our job to keep our focus and also to keep our loved ones in the loop so we can live our dreams and still be respectful to those we love. It’s our job to know when to focus on work and when to focus on play. And it’s our job to show up prepared, with grace and professionalism.

I would argue the Artist (the one who wants to live from his art anyway) is an Entrepreneur. And vice versa, an Entrepreneur is an Artist as well. So why shouldn’t their process be similar?

Do you agree? Disagree? Why or Why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!