Years ago I participated in a summer acting program called the Training Congress at A.C.T. in San Francisco. The 9-week course was an introduction to what a 3-year MFA program might look like.
There were between 60 - 70 young actors divided up into groups noted by color. I was in the Red Group led by an American actor who'd flown in from Rome where he was living.
For weeks we studied voice, Shakespeare, and the Greeks. We critiqued one another's scenes, learned how to break down a scene, and got some helpful tips on auditioning. By the end, I was ready to start applying for the real deal.
On the last day of class I strolled up to my teacher as he wrapped up speaking to a classmate. I remember it clear as day as we stood on the roof of 30 Grant Street with a clear view of downtown San Francisco.
"I'm thinking of applying to MFA programs in the fall. Any advice?" I asked. He thought it over for what seemed like hours before saying, "You have to work a lot harder." I remember being both surprised and embarrassed by his observation. I felt my stomach tighten suddenly compelled to defend myself. But the truth was he was right.
From that point on I promised myself nobody would ever be able to say that to me again. And not just as an actor but in every arena of my life.
I grew to be comfortable with failure as long as I could comfortably walk away and say I'd given it absolutely everything I had.
Since that day I've been able to say as much and it's made all the difference.
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Monday, August 28, 2017
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Bring It
Years ago when I was in theater school there was a kid I admired a couple years above me. He had a great work ethic and was a fully committed student and actor. On more than one occasion I'd ask him for advice about a project I was working on and how to best navigate through the challenges of school.
A few weeks into his final year he was the lead in his class's thesis project. I couldn't believe the production value and the extraordinary work he'd put into his character. As a result, my heart sank when I sat in that virtually empty theater. It seemed no one had gotten the memo on great the play was.
I asked him afterwards how he coped with putting so much effort into something only to see an empty house.
"You just have to bring it like it's packed," he said without hesitation. "You always do your best."
This advice would serve me as I got older. Like many people, I found myself getting hung up on numbers. How many people came to a play, the number of people who watched a particular program I might have been on, and on and on. For some reason, I thought quantity meant value.
The truth is you have to dig deep within and trust that YOUR belief in your message will be enough. If there are hundreds, thousands, possibly even millions who end up reading your message and being influenced that's an amazing byproduct, but not the end goal.
Focus on giving value first. And no matter the audience, take a note from the Ancient Greeks who believed their words held up the pillars of the universe when they were on stage. If they did not speak with enough vigor, conviction, and passion the foundation would fall and the universe would collapse.
No matter where you are remember to bring it.
A few weeks into his final year he was the lead in his class's thesis project. I couldn't believe the production value and the extraordinary work he'd put into his character. As a result, my heart sank when I sat in that virtually empty theater. It seemed no one had gotten the memo on great the play was.
I asked him afterwards how he coped with putting so much effort into something only to see an empty house.
"You just have to bring it like it's packed," he said without hesitation. "You always do your best."
This advice would serve me as I got older. Like many people, I found myself getting hung up on numbers. How many people came to a play, the number of people who watched a particular program I might have been on, and on and on. For some reason, I thought quantity meant value.
The truth is you have to dig deep within and trust that YOUR belief in your message will be enough. If there are hundreds, thousands, possibly even millions who end up reading your message and being influenced that's an amazing byproduct, but not the end goal.
Focus on giving value first. And no matter the audience, take a note from the Ancient Greeks who believed their words held up the pillars of the universe when they were on stage. If they did not speak with enough vigor, conviction, and passion the foundation would fall and the universe would collapse.
No matter where you are remember to bring it.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Just Keep Getting Better
If you spend years beating on your craft chances are you will become quite polished in your artistry. Others will look to you, seek your advice, and your skill set will start to cement a nice reputation for you.
Unfortunately, it's also easy to grow content with where you're at. You may start to casually overlook workshops, or coaching sessions arguing it's not necessary.
But if there's one lesson I've learned as an actor it's that there is ALWAYS room for improvement. If you don't continue to get better others will eventually catch up.
Invest in getting better each day instead of defending where you're already at.
Unfortunately, it's also easy to grow content with where you're at. You may start to casually overlook workshops, or coaching sessions arguing it's not necessary.
But if there's one lesson I've learned as an actor it's that there is ALWAYS room for improvement. If you don't continue to get better others will eventually catch up.
Invest in getting better each day instead of defending where you're already at.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Not Easily Discouraged
This morning I met with the owner of a very prominent and well-respected company in my hometown. Her products seemed to line every storefront I passed by and locals sported her apparel with spirited pride.
I showed up at 10:30 am on the dot and was greeted by a gracious employee of hers. I waited in a makeshift boardroom for a few minutes before she entered. She was kind and quietly took the seat opposite me.
Conscious of her time, I cracked open my laptop and read off the questions I'd prepared well in advance. I wanted some advice on how to start my own project and whether or not she thought it had the legs to be a company, or if it was just a passion project. "I'm going to do it either way," I beamed. "But if it's a side project, others priorities will have to come first." She nodded.
She answered each question succinctly and without pulling any punches. "First you have to get clear on what exactly your site does," she said. I agreed. The truth is, I'd given it a great deal of thought, too much in fact, and had lost sight of my original mission: to create community through positive stories.
By the end of our conversation I also appreciated the complicated nuances and vast challenges she faced on a day-to-day basis. Everyone seemed to have an image of her brand, but it was clear there was much more challenges happening behind the scenes. She explained some frustrations about how the city was changing and doubts about the value of her work. I tried to assure her that what she and her company did for the city were both exceptional and important. She smiled.
As I left and listed all the reasons why she thought my new venture might not be suitable for a business, I left far less discouraged than I would have had I not been an actor for many years. Being an actor had taught me the crucial attribute of resilience and taking things in stride. I possessed a versatility in my thinking that most people didn't possess and it was largely due to my background in the arts. I'd also learned to be relentlessly optimistic, but also not delusional - also a very important quality to seek and balance to strike.
As I gathered my belongings and headed for the door she said, "I admire your passion." I smiled. It's the only way I know how to be, I thought.
I showed up at 10:30 am on the dot and was greeted by a gracious employee of hers. I waited in a makeshift boardroom for a few minutes before she entered. She was kind and quietly took the seat opposite me.
Conscious of her time, I cracked open my laptop and read off the questions I'd prepared well in advance. I wanted some advice on how to start my own project and whether or not she thought it had the legs to be a company, or if it was just a passion project. "I'm going to do it either way," I beamed. "But if it's a side project, others priorities will have to come first." She nodded.
She answered each question succinctly and without pulling any punches. "First you have to get clear on what exactly your site does," she said. I agreed. The truth is, I'd given it a great deal of thought, too much in fact, and had lost sight of my original mission: to create community through positive stories.
By the end of our conversation I also appreciated the complicated nuances and vast challenges she faced on a day-to-day basis. Everyone seemed to have an image of her brand, but it was clear there was much more challenges happening behind the scenes. She explained some frustrations about how the city was changing and doubts about the value of her work. I tried to assure her that what she and her company did for the city were both exceptional and important. She smiled.
As I left and listed all the reasons why she thought my new venture might not be suitable for a business, I left far less discouraged than I would have had I not been an actor for many years. Being an actor had taught me the crucial attribute of resilience and taking things in stride. I possessed a versatility in my thinking that most people didn't possess and it was largely due to my background in the arts. I'd also learned to be relentlessly optimistic, but also not delusional - also a very important quality to seek and balance to strike.
As I gathered my belongings and headed for the door she said, "I admire your passion." I smiled. It's the only way I know how to be, I thought.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)