Attain and maintain a reputation, for it is the usufruct of fame. A stiff climb, for it is the issue of excellence, as rare as mediocrity is common.
I want to leave a legacy, but to do that, I need to be on my best game.
When Jeff and I were first starting out and trying to make a name for ourselves, we were doing indy shows, and would take whatever we could get just to have as much in-ring time as we could.
Since the start of my career I've been doing a lot of music for films. It was important for me to focus on only that for some time, till I have a name that people can bank on, trust and support.
To establish ourselves in the world, we have to do all we can to appear established. To succeed in the world, we do everything we can to appear successful.
You've heard the phrase 'There are no small roles, just small actors?' Well, I kind of disagree. There are small roles, but when you get a lot of them in a row, you can become a pretty successful actress, and that's what I've done.
I am the poster boy for brick-by-brick foundation building. Play a club. Put on a good show for 35 people. Come back. Build your market. Have people talk about you.
What you write sets the visual style for the film. But you have to compromise your style in your first few films before people let you do what you want to do.
My performances are getting people's attention, that's what I'm looking for.
To a degree... you wanna make your way in the industry, so you kind of get what you're given at first.
If you're Stephen King and you have a massive body of huge-selling well-respected work, you can pivot and do whatever you want. I don't have that body of work, I don't have that audience that's comfortable with me enough yet to follow my bliss with me.
Most of the early part of an actor's career, you do the jobs you get.
Over 20 years, I chipped away at a career little by little. I worked churches, off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway. I began being recognized by my peers by casting directors, actors, producers.
I came from the theater playing leading roles, and when I started doing film and television, I felt as if I had to start from the bottom.
When I started out playing live, it was different. I felt good about it. Nobody knew who I was. I just opened for so-and-so. Now, I'm playing to people who are coming out to see the band. There's too much attention on the band and me.
I didn't get that great a launch as an actress, but slowly and steadily, I made my presence felt in the industry.
