As an actor you know what hard work it is to be cast in a project. All of the auditions, driving from one place to the other, and finally you get the call from your agents that you booked the job. It is exciting and what you work for! When you are on set and living the dream, it is fun and makes all of the work worth it. Throughout all of those weeks, months, or even years of hearing no, some set time may have been exactly what you needed! When you receive your check in the mail it is nothing compared to the satisfaction of getting to see yourself on screen. You tell all of your friends and family when your episode will air or what scene of the feature you are in. Most of the time this works out, but occasionally, you see that your scene or lines were cut.
      This can be extremely heartbreaking. It is sad to think that all of the work you did will go unnoticed and will not be able to be appreciated by everyone in your industry. It can be upsetting to face the fact that the only reminder of the job you worked you may have is the check you got in the mail. It can be disappointing to think that you will never be able to see the work that you put into the project and that you told all your friends and family about this job for what seems like nothing, because they probably will not have a chance to ever see the work that you booked. It may be even tougher if they have a hard time understanding what it means to be cut.
      But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In times like these it can be easy to focus on the bad things, the upsetting parts of the industry. There is always something bad to focus on, but why put your attention on the bad things when there are so many good things to create on. When you focus on the bad, does it make you more or less likely to get the job? Odds are, when you are putting your attention on negative things, it will show in your attitude.
      If you get cut from the project you were working on, know that it is not personal what so ever. There could be a million different reasons that they would cut a scene and to take it personally does you no good what so ever. Focus on the good things, get the next job, and work your booty off! There is always going to be another job, another opportunity to make your mark on the industry, and another chance for your work to be seen!
      Also, hint hint, making your own projects is one of the best ways to ensure you will not be cut from anything—as you won’t be cutting your own part out! Take charge of your career and make it happen!