As an actor, you should always be up to date on the film, TV, and plays that are going on. You should know what is going to be at award season, what you like and dislike, and whose careers you admire. It is important to stay on top of this because it has so much to do with your career! The movie you watched yesterday could be the director you are auditioning for tomorrow, not to mention the countless references and jokes you might miss out on if you don’t keep up with the current affairs!
     I recently started going to the movie theatre again, as I hadn’t gone in quite a while because of streaming and HBO go, and how easy it has become to be a complete home-body these days, but through going out to the theatre I realized a few things!

-I am always inspired after seeing a movie and it is usually one of these two thoughts: This is why I act, I loved that film and it was so great and I want to be in movies like that. OR, This is why I act; I am needed to create things of value that inspire other people. (The second thought is mostly a bitter joke I fume outside of the theatre after seeing a movie that may or may not have put me to sleep)

-It makes me feel smarter as an artist to be up to date on current films and television. I feel like I know what I am working towards and what my fellow artists are creating. I understand what is selling right now and what is popular. I like knowing about the things that I read online, and the random articles I come across about TV and film.

-The most important reason is probably this: I KNOW WHAT I AM AUDITIONING FOR. When you keep yourself current on these things, you will find that you watch the shows you audition for and that you see the movies from the directors you are auditioning for. You are more able to classify each audition and get the tone of the thing you are going out for because you have a personal connection to it and have seen it over and over again.

     There are so many reasons to watch TV and film as an actor, but you should be keeping yourself up to date with what is on your television and movie screens now more than ever; there are some great things happening in our industry and being witness to that, and a piece of that is an exciting thing! So keep watching!