The Great Acting Blog: “5 Artistic Insights For The Week Ahead”

“I think too many people working today—writers, actors, the whole lot—worry too much about what the audiences want; they wonder what will shock and surprise the audiences, the critics. These are things we can never really ascertain. Better, I think, to focus on the things that you want; focus on the things that shock and surprise you—and that arise from within you. The riches are inside of us; the stories are inside of us. They are not out there, among the stalls. Pluck something dark and unique from within yourself, share it, and be amazed at how you are suddenly connecting with people.” – Harold Pinter

“Most people don’t know what they want or feel. And for everyone, myself included, It’s very difficult to say what you mean when what you mean is painful. The most difficult thing in the world is to reveal yourself, to express what you have to… As an artist, I feel that we must try many things – but above all, we must dare to fail. You must have the courage to be bad – to be willing to risk everything to really express it all.” – John Cassavetes