The Great Acting Blog: “Become The Expert”

The Great Acting Blog: “Become The Expert”

Too many actors complain about their life, they complain that they aren’t being treated fairly, that they aren’t getting enough work, that they aren’t getting enough opportunities to get work, that the work they do get doesn’t interest them (the script’s garbage, the director’s an ass), that they aren’t being validated, that nobody’s paying attention. Too many are starved of the artistic nourishment they need to sustain them. They look around and cannot see the situation they want, so most end up quitting, and most of the ones who stay end up cynical (bunging out a couple of tweets about the good weather or your to-do list doesn’t count as idealism). What happened? Wasn’t acting your big dream? Didn’t you want to avoid being just another down-at-heel 9 to 5 schnook? And yet, and yet, it has become about scampering around, trying to pay rent, in effect the big dream is turned into a 9 to 5 exercise, only with less pay and no holidays. I am often shocked by just how bitter so many actors become.

What to do amid the clanging nightmare? Turn to craft. Practice, experiment, renew, refresh. If you continually work hard on craft it will reward you endlessly, and give you the strength to develop the work you want, rather than accept the work you’re given. We’re constantly being told there are too many actors, that it’s a hopelessly over-subscribed profession, work on craft will increase your sense of your own worth, you’ll have a genuine contribution to make, you’ll not be just another member of the noisy multitude. Work on your craft will give you more respect for it, which means you’ll think differently and make different decisions. It’ll give you the independence to say no to work you don’t want, and it’ll give you greater fulfillment when doing the work you do want. You’ll rise above mediocre, and be less open to manipulation, which means you will not be de-stabilised by criticism or praise (don’t leave it to teachers or directors, be your own judge).

Work on your craft. Become the expert.

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