You know what's a beautiful thing about being an actor? No, it's not the glamor, the fame, or the creative fulfillment. It's the very real possibility that you can pour your soul, your blood, and at least three layers of your skin into a project...and absolutely no one will see it. Not even your cat who watches everything.
One day, you're doing intense table work, researching a character who's gone through seventeen divorces and a tragic clown college incident. You dig deep, sob during rehearsals, maybe even pull a muscle doing your "big emotional scene." You sacrifice your weekends, your dignity, and possibly your eyebrows (depending on the role) for your craft.
And then?
Poof... gone. Ghosted by the project like a Tinder date who promised lunch and eternal love.
Maybe the director "lost funding." Maybe the editor "moved to Bali to find himself." Maybe the footage 'got corrupted" because apparently SD cards are emotionally fragile too. Or-and this one's my personal favorite-maybe the director has ADHD and just bounces to a brand-new shiny project without ever once thinking about the actors still standing there, emotionally naked, holding their shredded dignity in their hands like total idiots.
But don't worry! You still grew as an artist! You learned patience, resilience, and how to fake a smile when someone says, "Hey, when does that thing you filmed come out?"
Oh it's coming out.
Right after my will to live.
Honestly, at this point, I'm just telling people that my missing projects are "exclusive, invite-only art installations." You didn't see it because you're not avant-garde enough, Cathy!
So next time you sob into a monologue for a short film that never materializes, just remember, you are not alone. We are all out here, passionately acting into the abyss, hoping someday someone finds our lost footage and mistakes it for a misunderstood masterpiece.
Until then, I'll be here, booking ghost projects and becoming an invisible legend.
Got a story about a project that disappeared faster than your rent money? Leave a comment below and let's trauma bond.
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