When we work towards a goal that excites us, that we absolutely want to accomplish, then discipline ceases to be an issue, we do what needs to be done. I am always stunned by actors who find line learning to be a chore. Sure it's not...
Read MoreI would say Hal Hartley is among my top twenty heroes in cinema. As a viewer, his films are just what I want to see; intelligent, witty, insightful, literate, with precise visual compositions and gentle rythms. The comedy is often subversive with subtle irony, and...
Read MoreAn actor's greatest gift is their sense of truth because it will guide him toward his highest goal, that is a truthful performance. This sense will create pangs of tension within him whenever his work becomes false, however it is up to the actor himself to...
Read More"Accept everything and get on with it." - David Mamet Sometimes, when we are working on a long term goal, we have to tolerate something less than ideal, something which may seem like drudgery. Is there a way round it? Perhaps, but what if we can't see...
Read MoreTime passes and we panic that we might never accomplish our goal. We become gripped by a fear which causes us to lose our focus and clarity of thought, our effectiveness is impaired. Too often we make big life and career decisions when in this...
Read MoreIt is more than a little dispiriting when we hear an artist trying to justify their work, pleading as they do for special treatment. This usually takes the form of citing the extenuating circumstances under which the work was made, for example; "we did this...
Read MoreIn response to my post on first principles, it seems that some have complained that integrity is impossible to define, that it means different things to different people, that it changes, and so how can one truly act with it? Well, the whole point is...
Read MoreThe life of an actor doesn't necessarily lend itself to long term thinking. It's not a structured lifestyle, and rarely is career progression linear. The actor's mentality then, becomes about not looking too far ahead - this is partly a protective mechanism against the disappointments...
Read MoreThe best people to work with are those who have taken the time to perfect their technique, who know how to behave in the professional arena. They have confidence because they know what they are doing. They display no affectations, they do not want anything...
Read MoreThe concern for many actors about getting their own production off the ground or leading their own company is that their acting skills will suffer as a result, or their development will become stunted because their focus will be taken away from their acting. This...
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