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I'm stuck between becoming an Author, Director or Actor

I'm a Junior in high school and right now I'm a bit stuck on which career I want to pursuit. I do love to write and come up with stories. Lately I've become more interested on how shows are made and what directors do to make a show happen. Then I'm interested in acting because I've been taking drama and before Covid-19 hit I use to do some play in my town. I would like some advice on which career I could pursuit. #actor #writing #director

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Jordan’s Answer

Hi Lilah,

Good news is that those careers are totally related! 🙂

Do you want to write and direct plays, film, or shows? Since you are already in drama, that's a great way to practice your acting skills. You can keep participating in drama while you learn the art of screen writing or play writing. Both have similarities. I'd encourage you to read a favorite play script and movie script. See if you enjoy the writing process from pitching ideas to crafting the script. I've included a link to a great book to help you with screenwriting if films are an interest.

I've heard many writers also direct and act and vice versa. Either way, this is a great time for you to be exposed to the different crafts.

Best wishes!

Jordan recommends the following next steps:

Read Syd Field's classic on screenwriting: https://www.amazon.com/Screenplay-Foundations-Screenwriting-Syd-Field/dp/0385339038/ref=asc_df_0385339038/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312149981494&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8277664251580358321&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012113&hvtargid=pla-345853578621&psc=1
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Louise’s Answer

Hi Lilah,

Have you ever tried writing plays? You could write, direct and act in your own play. The best way to find out what you like to do is to do it all.
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Emily’s Answer

Try them all out, if you can! Take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way, even if it’s a small role, or assistant to a director, etc. That’s the only way you’ll figure out what you like best. Also—a well rounded person in the arts/performing arts field is the best kind, so whether you’re an actor who knows how to write, a director who knows how to act, etc, you will only have a higher chance of success!
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John’s Answer

Keep pursuing all of them. You are years away from having to make a decision. In college, you can double major: theater and English, perhaps. And maybe your choice doesn't have to be an "or." Maybe it can be an "and." Please read about all the careers Leonard Bernstein had in his 20s and 30s.
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lily’s Answer

Try them all out! As an aspiring actor, see if you can find any websites that accept online auditions. In terms of writing, can you determine which form of writing you like and submit it to a writing competition online? Coursera is a great website with lots of online instructions from real college professors so you can get a different feel as to what it would be like to be in a theater class, creative writing class, etc. Good luck!
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Neela’s Answer

Lilah, thanks for the great question. Here's something for you to reflect upon.

What will you have to do to become a writer or an actor or a director?
How close are you to becoming one and what would that look like to you?
What else do you need to consider before making a choice?
What does your intuition tell you?
What is stopping you from doing all of these?
What are your expectations from each of these roles?
What are you unwilling to risk?
What are the chances of success?
What might happen if you choose one over the other role?
What is the opportunity or the challenge in each of these roles?
How does a particular role affect your life/values/whole picture?

When you ponder upon these, you will be at a better position to decide.
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Donn’s Answer

You are very young and you should continue to explore yourself and discover who you are and what you are passionate about and where your natural talents lie. See what resonates with you. Know that you can choose to explore something and it's not set in stone that you must go down that path. So explore, explore, explore! And to be honest, never stop exploring your whole life. Never stop growing and evolving as an artist and a human being. You will find your gifts that you were meant to share with the world! Take wings and soar!
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