The one decision that started my entire film career

You know what’s crazy?

It’s been so long that I almost forgot my entire film career was born because of someone else.

I was 26 years old and stuck in Arkansas.

And by stuck I mean I was too scared to leave.

I kept telling myself I needed to be a little more prepared. A little more money saved. A little more time to plan.

Up to this point I had driven 6 hours to New Orleans to do auditions (all of which I bombed, by the way) several times. I took every opportunity I could get.

One day while working at Guitar Center, a friend I’d met being an extra on a set texted me. An action actor was holding a seminar in New Orleans that weekend. He thought it would be good for me.

The problem was it cost $800 and I only had a couple hundred.

I figured what the hell, I’ll ask if I can pay $400 to attend just one of the days.

They agreed.

So I swiped my credit card (since I didn’t even have the $400) and made my plan to go.

Since I couldn’t afford a hotel, I got up in the middle of the night to start the 6 hour drive, knowing full well I’d be driving back that same night.

When I got there, Michael Papajohn, Uncle Ben from Spider-Man with Tobey Maguire, actually made an example out of how driven I was. He said that’s the kind of mentality it takes to make it in this business.

I’ll never forget that.

After the workshop he pulled me aside and told me about his mentorship program.

I told him I couldn’t afford it but that I loved the seminar.

Back at my 9 to 5 that week, I couldn’t stop thinking about his offer.

My gut was telling me there was something there.

So I took him up on it.

For 3 months we did calls every couple of weeks. He made me set deadlines. And when deadlines would pass me by, he’d remind me that I’d stay stuck in my hometown forever if I didn’t make a move.

Because of that accountability and his guidance, I finally got the guts to leave.

I moved to New Orleans and started my career in the industry.

It haunts me to think that in some parallel universe I never picked up the phone. Or never went to the workshop in the first place.

Maybe you think you’re not ready to take your big swing.

But I think it’s more likely you just need a guide like I did.

I hope this helps,

Caleb