May 17, 2013
Sustaining A Career Through The Ups and Downs
As in any art form, there are triumphs and there are disappointments. They can occur at any point in a career, whether you’re just starting out or an established actor. The trick is to keep creating and pushing forward through the low points and not allow yourself to get stuck or give up.
May 10, 2013
Why Your Emotional History Is Important as an Actor
An area in an actor’s work that is often neglected is emotional history. With history comes emotion, and it shows up in what the character says and does.
May 3, 2013
Doubt is the enemy, it blocks talent
You’ve been on auditions with these actors before and they all seem to be so certain and confident. They look at you and nod, “Hello.” You think to yourself, “What do these actors have that I don’t?”
April 29, 2013
Taking the seriousness out of acting
I’ve seen it happen many times where an actor becomes so serious about the work that all of the fun and creativity are replaced with choices that lack humor and originality.
April 28, 2013
You want your dream of working in film and television as an actor to be a reality, but are you taking the steps necessary to make that happen?
April 17, 2013
I’ve seen it happen many times where an actor becomes so serious about the work that all of the fun and creativity are replaced with choices that lack humor and originality. Al Pacino said this about the subject: “When I was a younger actor, I would try to keep it serious all day. But I have found, later on, that the lighter I am about things when I’m going to do a big scene that’s dramatic and takes a lot out of you, the better off I am when I come to it.” Staying light and flexible keeps an actor in a place where he can see new possibilities and therefore keep the work fresh and ever-changing.
As a director, when I hit a problem with a scene that isn’t working, the last thing I want to do is worry and over-think it. That’s the fastest way to not find creative solutions. Sometimes stepping back frees up something that I was missing in the scene and I get a new take on the situation.
By not getting bogged down in the seriousness of it all, the actor is able to bring depth where it’s needed as well as levity in unexpected places. It’s keeping a spirit of play about the work that enables an actor to imagine things he otherwise would have missed by being wrapped up in this head. Why go into your head? It’s seriously crazy in there! Try what Al Pacino has discovered and see what happens to your work!
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