The Great Acting Blog: “In Which Direction Are You Heading?”
Bad actors are basically socialites, not workers. They meticulously compose a persona for themselves, going to great lengths to be charming and establish themselves in a room. Yet their work is ordinary at best because they never put in the time or effort necessary to develop their craft and lift themselves above mediocre. In fact, they believe this kind of effort is a waste of time. They give nothing of themselves to the work, they have come to acting in order to take rather than to give – a fundamental error because we all know that acting, at heart, is about generosity.
Don’t be a bad actor.
Dig deep. Give something of yourself to your work. Be dedicated. Be devoted. Continually improve. Show our ancient craft the respect it deserves. Put your energy and creativity into the scene rather than into socialising. Enjoy the confidence and self-respect which comes from knowing what you are doing, and doing it well. To bad actors, your exertions will seem incomprehensible, they will say that you are making a fool of yourself – let them – they inhabit a very different world, a world of falsity and superficiality, of fragile self-worth and a lack of fulfilment.
You’re free to choose the direction in which to take your work. I know where I’d prefer to go.
Talya/ 16.01.2014
This perfectly explains Eve Mendes, Orlando Bloom’s, Jessica Alba’s and many other bad actors’ careers. I don’t know how these people still get work. But if you notice something about these bad actors are at practically every social event, doing everything with PR to get noticed, and then they are on the cover magazines and on talk shows even though they have nothing to promote, besides themselves. Very good post, James.
James/ 16.01.2014
Thanks for your comment, Talya.
Norman Newkirk/ 16.01.2014
This observation came to me like a bolt of lightning. I am referring your article to all the actors with whom I must associate in the waiting room, those who must incessantly talk about themselves and who they know rather than focusing on the material they are about to present.
Thank you James.
Norman in Seattle
James/ 16.01.2014
Thanks Norman. Glad you found it useful.
Hope all is well in Seattle.
ELIZABETH/ 17.01.2014
I like the way you put it, for some drama students it is difficult to see how a good actor can go far with their constant work. Everytime they focus on their work they discover that they are entering into another realm of life and so many of them do not like it.
I am becoming nothing, I was an actress now I am a drama teacher. It is so easy to preach and we get mad when students can not focus, but at then end I understand them. It is important to have a strong mind if you want o be a good actor. No to procrastination!