Alright guys, I'm saying it. I know I'm not necessarily a regular here, but to be honest, going to the board of one of my top 2 favorite bands (only competition is Megadeth) makes me feel more at ease than talking to my family. Thats how much I love music. I know that sounds weird but I'll explain.
So, I've wanted to be an actor since I was a kid (I'm 24 now). My mom ha always told me "you need to get a college education and work, because people that work are successful". Yada yada, whatever. I've worked 3 minimum wage jobs and I am miserable. I joined the army at 18 and I'm now in the reserves. Neither the minimum wage jobs or the military is my true calling, I just know. I'm not satisfied with either one of them.
I'm currently in college pursuing a Psychology degree. I love Psychology, but at the end of the day, I feel like it's not enough. I want to do more, I want to become something. I know that sounds lame and whatnot, but I feel like I'll never be happy living the 9-5 typical American life. I'm a deep thinker, I'm an introvert (but not at all shy), I'm unorganzied, and I think highly of myself (without being arrogant).
I keep coming back to the fact that I want to be an actor. To be honest...I'm scared. My family would look down on me because I won't have a steady job, and I won't be respected. Not to mention I'm short (about 5 ft 1) and there's not many roles that cast a short guy unless it's comedy (this is a complete guess on my part and I reserve the 100% right to be wrong here).
I don't know where to start and I'm not even sure if I have what it takes. I took acting class when I was 10 and it was cool, but it was a kid's acting school, what is that really? I am extremely good at putting myself in others people's shoes, I can literally feel what other people are feeling (I have massive empathy skills) and the more I think about the more I think that I would be an amazing actor.
Than doubt sets in. I start to think "oh, I'm just in denial, I couldn't be an actor, I'm full of myself". The thing is, I am a confident, emotionally mature individual, but since I have such an immense passion for acting and acting in general is so hard to get into, I start to doubt myself.
I mean looking at it logically, I have next to no experience, and I have nothing to show except "I think I would be a great actor". I'm short and not a very good looking guy (not ugly by any means but I'm no model). There's so much "what ifs" in my mind, and then there's the family issue...sigh. I plan on staying in college for Psychology (the army pays for it) but it's not my endgame. I truly believe that acting is my calling. It's my true passion in life but I am afraid, nervous and have no idea how to even think about starting.
I'm starting to think it's just a pipe dream. For anyone that has any experience in this, please, I'll take any advice. I just don't know who to talk to or what to do. I feel like I have this deep secret that I'm too afraid to tell anyone about.