The Great Acting Blog: “Why It’s Better To Be Serious Than Fake”
The neophyte actor wants validation, whether that comes via an agent, a casting director, a director, a filmmaker, other actors, it doesn’t matter so long as it comes from whoever they want to please at the time. This, I believe, is the normal state of affairs during an actor’s early years, in fact, it’s not a situation necessarily limited to actors even, but to all who are early in their careers. However, for the actor, this need for validation is particularly acute because of the deeply insecure nature of the life (in addition to the normal struggle of being a young person).
There comes a point though, where if outside validation doesn’t come (ie – validation as defined by each individual actor for himself) then the actor must validate himself. He does this through controlled, real world artistic accomplishment – or to put it another way, to master the technical aspects of acting and prove that that mastery holds up under the pressure of the gaze of the audience.
If the actor fails to do this self-validating work, then he will live forever in fear. One of the oddest ways that this fear can manifest itself, is creating the pretence of seizing control of the situation. It’s like someone who laughs just a little bit too much in order to prove just what a good time they’re having rather than because they found the joke funny. In both cases, the over-compensation is about drowning out the scream of personal worthlessness. The unvalidated actor is, within their own mind, forever uncertain about their place.
A true artist, an actor who has controlled, real world accomplishment under their belt, doesn’t need to tread on egg shells, they don’t even need to be charming – they know why they are in the room, they’re not trying to hide anything, or prove anything, or convince anybody of anything, they’re just focussed on doing the work. They’re independent in thought and deed.
To those who sneer and laugh at serious actors striving to make art, I ask if life would be better without having to tread on egg shells? Without the need to be oh-so charming? Without whoring your own emotions? Without rotting your soul with false behaviour, which, after all, fools no-one? Wouldn’t it better, instead of being some socialite wannabe, wouldn’t it be better to be a worker? To knuckle down and make a proper stab at mastering the art of acting? Not relying on the schmooze but forging ahead via real artistic accomplishments? It’s the choice between a life of truth and a life spent secretly terrified that almost anyone could strip you of your own self-worth at any moment. So many opt for the latter, I cannot understand why, although perhaps it’s because it looks like a lot less work.
