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A Few Thoughts on Momentum + Industry Updates for Actors

By Abigail Hardin, April 29, 2026

Eye38
Happy Wednesday, UTDA!

At the start of this year, I felt a quiet but persistent pull for change. I couldn’t fully define it yet—I just knew something needed to shift. Not in a dramatic overnight way, but in the kind of steady, honest way that asks you to become more intentional with your time, energy, and attention.

Since then, I’ve been proud to make progress in meaningful ways—committing to healthier routines, becoming more engaged with my finances, and challenging myself to stay present instead of mentally checking out when life feels overwhelming. None of it has been perfect or glamorous, but it has been real progress.

Then came this week. I woke up on Monday feeling rested, energized, and genuinely excited for what was ahead. With two children under five, that feeling alone can feel like a small victory. But as the day unfolded, things didn’t quite match the energy I started with. Tasks felt heavier, momentum felt slower, and despite doing many of the “right” things, I still felt off course.

Why am I sharing this? Because I think actors know this feeling well. You prepare for the audition and it doesn’t go the way you hoped. You finally feel motivated, then self-doubt creeps in. You make progress, then suddenly feel behind again. The path is rarely linear, even when you are doing so much right.

The truth is, growth often asks us to stay present in the uncomfortable moment a little longer instead of rushing to label it failure. Sometimes the day is simply a hard day. Sometimes the season is one of quiet building. Sometimes momentum is happening beneath the surface before results arrive.

If you’ve been needing a sign to re-engage, let this be it. A few ways to move the needle this week:

  • Send the email you’ve been putting off
  • Update one piece of your marketing materials
  • Research one new target company, rep, or casting office
  • Submit for the project that feels slightly out of reach
  • Reconnect with one person in your network

We’ve also shared several recent blogs designed to help you stay proactive, strategic, and encouraged in this season—linked below for easy reading.

Below, I’m also sharing a few industry updates worth knowing—including the latest on the Writers Guild of America agreement and ongoing SAG-AFTRA negotiations—along with ways to stay proactive no matter what headlines are unfolding.

As always, we’re here to help you stay informed, strategic, and moving forward.

Create a great week!

WGA Ratified: A Positive Step Forward

The Writers Guild of America has now officially ratified its new contract—an encouraging sign for the industry and a positive step toward continued production momentum in film, television, and streaming. While changes rarely happen overnight, greater labor stability can help projects move forward with more confidence in the months ahead.

For actors, attention now turns to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA negotiations and what comes next for performers. For more insight on what this could mean for working actors, read our recent blog here: News Flash: What the New WGA Deal Signals for Actors in 2026.

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