Struggler's guide, writes Niranjan Iyengar

Couple of months ago I joined a local gym in a sudden bout of health consciousness. Within the first twenty minutes on the first day at least three 20-somethings walked up to me separately with, "I don't want to disturb you but…!" and went on to disturb me! They were aspiring actors who realized I was associated with films and wanted me to see their pictures, tell them how to go about their careers and finally help them meet some established filmmakers. I answered more of the species patiently for the next few days but by the end of two weeks I had no choice but to quit the gym and start yoga at home!

Anyone who is reasonably well known in the movie business will vouch that this happens all the time! Not that I fault the aspiring newbies for, they have to try and make the best of every opportunity. But I often wonder what do they think will happen with these encounters? That I will see their pictures and swoon with admiration at their half sentenced, muddled self-pitch? That I will instantly make frantic phone calls to filmmakers to recommend them?

Actually I don't even think they are thinking! In a mad scramble to achieve their dreams they are just like headless chickens dashing towards and into things hoping something will give. And that got me thinking. Why is there no method to this madness? I guess after reading stories where successful actors make it seem like they were walking down the streets when a filmmaker noticed them and offered them a role, every struggler feels that all he needs to do is to get spotted! And during this wait to be `spotted' they are attending dance/fight/acting/speaking/meditation classes to prepare for their debuts.

And therein lies the irony! Almost all of these aspirants spend about sixteen hours a day preparing for what they will do in front of the camera. But not one of them has a faintest clue on what to do during the journey from behind the camera to the front of it! How to approach a technician or a filmmaker for time? How to make the most effective pitch in the short time that they manage to find? How to find the right production houses to pitch themselves to? How NOT to equate `networking' with attending parties and getting drunk? How to make a mark in an audition where there are 80 people vying for the same role and the casting chap has barely a minute to make out how good you are? Unfortunately no institute or acting class actually has a module that trains actors in these crucial areas.

Once a debut film is signed, an actor has a lot of technicians to aid him/her to do the job (writer, costume designer, cinematographer, make-up & hair person etc.). It's the journey before that which needs to be trudged alone with no formula to guide. So the need of the day is actually an `elevator pitch' module for aspiring actors! Anyone?