Off Script: A New Year's Day Reflection on 2024

In this New Year's Day special episode of the Late Bloomer Actor podcast, David John Clark reflects on the key themes and insights from Season Three as he welcomes the new year, 2025. He emphasizes the importance of community, resilience, and actionable steps for personal growth in the acting profession. David shares memorable moments and lessons learned from various guests, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique paths and continue thriving in their craft.

Takeaways

• It's never too late to step into your passion.
• Understanding data can enhance acting skills.
• Community support is vital for actors.
• Confidence and preparation are essential for auditions.
• Rejection is part of the acting journey.
• Collaboration fosters growth and learning.
• Embracing the unexpected can lead to opportunities.
• Personal growth is a continuous journey.
• Building connections is crucial in the industry.
• Focus on the business side of acting for success.

Transcript

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David John Clark (00:00)
Happy New Year everyone. Welcome to 2025. Grab your drinks and bring in the new year.

Cheers. Hopefully I don't have to do that too much during the podcast or otherwise, you might end up slurring our words, our words, our words. Hey, welcome back everybody to the Late Bloomer Actor podcast. I am David John Clark, your Late Bloomer Actor. We've just ended season three and you should know that there is a test at the end of this. And coming to you still from Alice Springs, the Northern Territory, Australia, as the new year has just hit us here.

And we will only have just played out in the US when this goes live. So Happy New Year to you all. As we ring in the new year, it's time to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared throughout 2024. This season has been a treasure trove of insights, personal growth, and some unforgettable conversations. So grab your beverage of choice and settle in for this special episode where we're diving into the common themes of the key learnings

and actions you can take away as we stride into 2025. 2025. Yes. The years are getting on and on, which is good. I get closer to retirement and full-time acting. Now, you know me, I started acting later in life, but this year reinforced that it's never too late to step into your passion. So let's get to it. I'd like to...

use this episode to reflect on season three. The season was packed with diverse voices from data scientists to acting coaches, from podcasters to performers, carving their own unique paths. We explored it all. Starting with the amazing Lauren Neal in season three, episode eight, Castability With Lauren Neal. We got an inside look at how data can be used in acting. She introduced us to the Castability app. Castability are sponsors of the show. In the Castability app,

where actors can discover their archetypes and genres that they're best for. She showed us how understanding the numbers can sharpen our craft. I mean, who knew data science can make us better performers? And myself, I've always been a huge fan, for want of a better word, of data. Having self-taught myself in programming of spreadsheets and formula, which I have used extensively in my own budgeting

(pros and cons), and also in my not so successful attempt to become a stock, options and lastly, a foreign exchange trader. But listening to Lauren really showcased how data can be useful and certainly not boring. And I have to say, I am a user and advocate for the app Castability. They're a sponsor with my show, as I've said, because of that very reason. I would only use the sponsor if it resonated with me or in this case, if I was a customer. Let's just say.

My archetype wasn't strong in romantic comedy. But hey, knowing your strengths is half the battle, right? It's all about working smarter and not harder.

Building a community was big across the board with all my guests, especially in my last episode where I brought in guests from all the podcast episodes that I listened to, of which some of them weren't even acting related, they were podcast related. And even there, the talk of community and storytelling was big, which that was a major insight for me and a big learning outcome, I think, for all of us.

So one of the recurring themes, as I said, was community. Season three, episode nine, for example, The Right Type Of Actor, where I sat down with the instructors and students from Type Talent in Adelaide. Now, this is close to my heart because Type Talent bring me in as a mentor for new students and I bring to them my journey, my learning, my outcomes and give them something to expect from their careers going forward. So, but...

No matter where you're from, there are acting schools all over, whether it's a three-year uni degree or this small regional school-like Type Talent. Mark Cherrett and his team reminded us how vital it is to have a support system. And the graduates shared their stories of stepping into the industry, proving that you're never alone when you've got your type family behind you. And then, you going forward, season three, episode 10, which I've already talked about.

The Podcasters Roundtable where 12 incredible podcast hosts join me for an unforgettable discussion. From James Cridland's insights on the evolving landscape of podcasting to Janet McMordy's reflections on second acts, AKA late bloomers, every guest emphasized the importance of connection, whether it's in acting or podcasting. Building a community keeps us grounded and inspired. I mean,

who knew Brian Patacca from Brian Breaks Character could double as a motivational speaker? You know what? I left that conversation ready to run a marathon, or at least run to my next audition. So what lessons did we learn from 2024?

Another big takeaway this season was resilience. Amy Lyndon in Actors You Are Enough reminded us that confidence and preparation go hand in hand. Her Lyndon technique is like the Bible for nailing auditions. Trust me, I've been practicing.

Speaking of practice, Jeff Seymour, my mentor and great friend from the Real Life Actor brought us back to basics with his no-nonsense approach. Be real, be present, he always says.

So, actionable takeaways for 2025. What can you take into the new year? Well, I've come up with a few actionable steps. Know your archetype. Like Lauren suggested, understand your type. It's not about limiting yourself, but applying to your strengths. Build your community, whether it's a local acting group like Type Talent or an online platform like WeAudition, connect with others. Collaboration is key.

There are a myriad of online communities, local communities, communities you can meet up with once a year if you go interstate and join them that you can collaborate with and learn with and meet new people and network as much as I hate that word networking. But we don't do it in the negative connotation that we have in business or in my real job that we don't discuss here on the Internet. Network can be a good thing and you need to

find a way to make that work for you. And that leads you into being resilient. You need to stay resilient. DaJuan Johnson reminded us that rejection isn't the end. It's just part of the journey and you need to hone your craft. Take a page from Jeff Seymour's book. Keep it simple and real. And if you're feeling stuck, remember Alyshia Ochse's advice from That One Audition, embrace the unexpected.

Which also resonated with me in one of my final episodes here in Alice Springs with water in the Todd River in the desert. The unexpected can bring opportunities if you're ready to seize them.

And a personal note from me. This season also made me a better actor,

whether it was reflecting on self-sabotage in the Off Script episode Strategies To Overcome Self-sabotage In Acting or celebrating the wins of peers like Sarah Snook during my Off Script episode, The Late Bloomer Actor In Hollywood back in January 2024. I've grown in ways I didn't anticipate. And let's not forget the unforgettable experience of interviewing Richard Roxburgh on the red carpet at the Adelaide Film Festival. Moments like these

remind me of why I love this craft and why I'm doing this and why I keep pushing through.

So here's to continuing the journey guys, embracing our late blooming moments and thriving together in 2025. Thank you for being part of this season. If you haven't already hit that subscribe button and share the podcast with your friends, check out all the episodes I've talked about here and the rest. Plus don't forget season one and two also. My podcast is a journey of learning within itself and is here for you to listen to again and again,

when you need inspiration or information. Next year, sorry, this year, 2025, I'm keen to focus on the business side of acting. So look out for guests delving into the not so glamorous, but certainly necessary side of acting to make you a better actor and to make your journey better and clearer. So you get more auditions and more callbacks and what we're all after, more bookings.

Here's wishing you a Happy New Year and a fantastic start to 2025. Cheers, glass of red, whatever you're having.

May 2025 bring you everything that you deserve. Please make sure you hit that subscribe button and check out the link in the show notes to support the show so we can ensure this journey continues through season four and beyond. I really heard myself saying that in the voice of Buzz Lightyear. Did you? Anyway, until next time, keep blooming, keep acting and remember every journey is unique, but we're all in this together. Cheers.

And as always, I'll see you on set guys.

Happy New Year!