The Great Acting Blog: “Be A Serious Actor”

The Great Acting Blog: “Be A Serious Actor”

“No matter how good a phrase or a simile he may have if he puts it in where it is not absolutely necessary and irreplaceable he is spoiling his work for egotism” – Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway  on writing there. But the words could just as easily be changed to suit acting:

“No matter how good a characterisation or bit of business, if the actor puts it in where it is not essential, then he is spoiling his work for egotism.”

Typically actors do this to show-off, draw attention to themselves or to demonstrate how clever they are.  As well they might, because it is designed to distract from their lack of seriousness, for the serious actor does not include anything in his performance unless it is essential to the scene. The serious actor is unafraid to strip down the scene to it’s essential action, and only do that action. This discipline, this precision, gives the actor’s performance definition and shape, even during moments of high emotion, and is the mark of  quality.

Similarly, to make acting choices in order to elicit a compliment or to flirt with a casting director sitting in the audience, is to damage the aesthetic integrity of the piece, it gives a lie to the work. This is the mark of the second rate actor, of one who is not serious.

Be a serious actor. Be an artist. Exclude anything that is not essential to the scene, and deliver what is essential with precision and intensity, always telling the truth.

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