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Archive for April, 2011

The Actor’s Reasonable Pursuits

April 26th, 2011 No comments

An actor friend of mine told me that one of his goals was to be in a Broadway play. I thought that sounded like a worthy pursuit, and I was impressed that he had a specific ambition. So many people have no idea what they want, outside of “to work,” or “be recognized,” aspirations so vague that they usually lead to unemployed anonymity. 

When I asked when he wanted this to happen, he said, “Now.” Again, the focus and drive were impressive, but alarms went off in my head. He’s a talented guy, and I think he could handle a run on The Great White Way, but it struck me as something better suited to a long-term goal for him. Read more…

The Ugliness of an Actors Desperation

April 19th, 2011 No comments

A wise man gave me some great advice when I was first starting out, words that I promptly ignored. “Don’t look too hungry,” he said. “If you look hungry, they’ll feed you McDonald’s. Wait for the steak.”

Desperation is a killer. It leads to unclear thinking, which leads to compromise and the de-valuing of ourselves, and eventually to poor choices in our career. “He who undervalues himself is justly undervalued by others,” wrote the literary critic William Hazlitt. Truer words were never spoken. Your career, in some measure, is what you think it should be. Read more…

Keeping the Career Wheel Turning

April 12th, 2011 No comments

We’ve all heard the metaphors about careers being a journey, or a road, or some kind of travel experience. But as important as the journey is the vehicle doing the journeying. If you’ll play along for a second, think of the vehicle as being a single wheel.

There are many aspects to an actor’s career – training, marketing, representation, appearance, industry knowledge, networking – and each one acts as a spoke of the wheel. The spokes need to be equal in length, and equal in strength. If one of them is too short, or too weak, the wheel stumbles, doesn’t turn, or outright falls apart. Read more…

Buddhist Dyslexia: Finding Wants in a World of Happiness

April 8th, 2011 No comments

(Guest Blogging for the IDProject)

The latest copy of Buddhadharma arrived in my mailbox this week with the lead headline, “Finding Happiness in a World of Wants.” This would have been encouraging, had I read it correctly. But I thought it said, “Finding Wants in a World of Happiness,” which feels more like my general approach to things.

There are times when I have to stop and ask myself just what my f**king problem is. Honestly, I have no clue. My biggest practical concerns are roughly on par with which flavor ice cream to buy, and not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t disprove my well-traveled theory that I’m worthless.

Read full post here.

 

Publishers Weekly Audiobook Review: “West of Here”

April 8th, 2011 No comments

Edoardo Ballerini is well-equipped to handle the blended tones of Evison’s story, bouncing between hushed intimacy and a fierce growl. He steps delicately through the gruff talk of Port Bonita’s inhabitants, pulling back into a poetic reverie for Evison’s descriptions of the landscape and surroundings, reminding the listener that even in this world-weary city, something of America’s magnificence remains.

Read the full review here.

Why Actors Should Teach and Mentor

April 5th, 2011 No comments

George Bernard Shaw’s idea that “those who can’t do… teach” is ridiculous. Listing the number of successful artists who have taught over the years would fill the Yellow Pages. In fact, quite often, what’s true is the reverse: “those who can teach… do.”

Because it’s when you’re able to teach something that you really understand it. If you don’t believe me, try teaching. Pick a subject, any subject. The depth of your knowledge will instantly be revealed when challenged. Which, by the way, it will be. Read more…