Actor Talk guest Clark Perry

Well, I've procrastinated about as long as I could. I am finally writing the blog entry that goes with Clark's interview recorded over a month ago. I am watching the interview again now to be sure I remember what I want to say. Standby...OK, I'm done.

Aah, the life of an actor. In the year that Clark has been in LA he has pretty much experienced the whole roller coaster ride. Frustration, disappointment, roommate problems, elation, satisfaction, and success. Then the cycle repeats. Well, hopefully, the roommate problems won't. The rest of those emotional states will cycle though. Some of the frustration can be mitigated, as Clark talks about, by simply appreciating the each of the small accomplishments. Just landing an audition is an accomplishment considering all the competition out there. Treating the audition like a performance instead of a job interview really helps too. Sometimes, though, it's hard not to get disappointed. Coming out of an auditions that went really, I mean really, well and not getting that callback will eventually affect everybody. Satisfaction is felt when the notice of a callback arrives. Elation is felt when the call comes in that the role is yours and success comes when the shooting is over (hopefully accompanied with a paycheck).

In the time since the interview I followed up with Clark to see how the shoot in Idaho went. He tells an inspirational story of his experience shooting scenes on a boat floating on a lake. It was the type of acting job that I hope all actors get a chance to experience. Clark then says auditions have slowed to a trickle. Thus the cycle is complete. He's back to the frustration point that actors deal with.

Clark has been, well I was going to say lucky, and that does factor in, but Clark has also been working it. He's got a means to support himself while he pursues the acting career and he's got the drive to achieve his goal. Clark knows that it takes more than desire to become a "success" in Hollywood. It takes time, money, a lot of hard work and patients.

I for one will keep an eye on this young man's career. You can too by checking out Clark's IMDb page.