On this episode of Second Act Actors, I talk with my friend and fellow actor Jessica Myrie. We met on my first ever booking as an actor!

Jessica starts off by talking about her self-care regime of breathing and mindset work, which she believes is an essential tool if you’re looking to get into acting. She credits her success in the film industry to her mindset, as she’s worked hard to establish a positive mindset and to become resilient to setbacks. As she explains, if you love acting then you need to be in the industry for the long haul, even if you don’t find success straight away. It takes a long time to get established so if you’re expecting quick wins, you may well be disappointed!

Later on, Jessica gives advice to other would-be actors looking to break into the industry, covering the importance of having financial stability so you have capital to invest in yourself, your training and your headshots. This might mean keeping your day job going as you start looking for acting work, but it doesn’t mean that you’ll never be an actor. If this is the situation you’re in, listen out for Jessica’s tips on how to balance acting and your day job.

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Timestamps

[1:47] How I met Jessica

[3:53] Breath and mindset work in the acting industry

[7:12] Why Jessica started focusing on her mindset and self-care regime

[9:00] How Jessica got into acting

[13:08] What changed when Jessica got an agent

[14:36] Being a go-getter in the acting world

[17:59] Hanging in the acting industry for the long haul

[20:00] Jessica on switching from being money-oriented to happiness-oriented in her career

[23:48] You might have to work for free at the beginning, but not forever

[25:58] What surprised Jessica about working as an actor

[27:29] Leonardo DiCaprio and the love of acting

[30:46] How to get into show business, even if you didn’t go to theater school

[33:47] Tips on choosing the right photographer for your headshots

[36:00] Jessica talks about her self-doubt in the tough times and how she overcame it

[37:14] What Jessica learnt from her acting training

[40:21] Don’t give up your day job

[42:08] It’s got to align with acting

[44:26] What Jessica is looking forward to for 2022

[46:51] Look out for Jessica’s YouTube channel and upcoming feature film

[50:18] Breaking into the industry without a support community

[51:59] Jessica on using her marketing background to promote Black Actors Canada

[53:16] Black Actors Canada is open to everyone

Links

Jessica on Instagram

Jessica on YouTube

Jessica on IMDb

Second Act Actors website

Second Act Actors on Instagram

Second Act Actors on Facebook

Second Act Actors on YouTube

Janet McMordie website

Janet McMordie on Instagram

Janet McMordie on LinkedIn

Janet McMordie on Twitter

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