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…

The Size of an Actor’s Role

March 29th, 2011 No comments

There’s a recurring frustration in almost every actor’s life, and it has to do with the size and scope of his or her role in any given production. Background players want to have lines, day players want to be supporting actors, supporting actors want to be leads, and leads are often the most miserable of the bunch, for reasons only the Buddha can explain. 

It’s a dangerous trap, and one that I’ve fallen into many times. Rather than focusing on what can be done with the material at hand, we get distracted by wondering why we’re not playing a different role, or worrying that the role we accepted is somehow beneath us. Neither of which is helpful. Read more…

Why Actors Must Create Their Own Material

March 22nd, 2011 No comments

Actors have to create their own material. Not only is it the most likely way for us to get the parts we want, but the industry is expecting it now. Yes, there’s the old joke that “The good news is that now anybody can make movies. The bad news is that now anybody can make movies.” Read more…

Old School Photos – NYC Subways

March 16th, 2011 No comments

Marketing: Love It, Hate It, Do It

March 16th, 2011 No comments

Actors have to market themselves. It’s part of the business. Whether it’s sending out postcards and email blasts from a studio apartment, or having a personal publicist wrangle a launch on the red carpet, every actor is trying to get their sliver of the light. Read more…

“Stay Nervous”

March 9th, 2011 No comments

(Guest blog for ActorsAndCrew)

Most people are secretly in awe of actors. It’s true. Despite our narcissism, emotional instability, and poverty, people still admire those of us who stick our necks out in this strange and beautiful way. 

And these admirers often ask this question: “Don’t you get nervous?” Read more…

Some Press Quotes

March 5th, 2011 No comments

Edoardo Ballerini