Passive Actors

You will usually hear something like this from a passive and fearful actor; I dont want to get into an Acting class where Im pushed to go where I dont want to go.

I wonder if this actor would also say; I dont want to get into a production where Im pushed or I dont want any auditions where I am pushed.

Passive, timid Actors look for non-challenging workshops and hope for non-pushy directors and casting people. These Actors avoid being pushed and/or resist pushing themselves. Being pushed, as used in the above quote, means to be challenged, to think and dig deeper in order to reinvent an affecting character.

Proactive Actors are those who push themselves, who want to be pushed to discover deeper character choices. Actors who are willing to be pressured become active, creative and develop strong characters.

There is another reason why these weak Actors avoid being challenged, and that is they fear revealing or touching on something personal about them. Truth is revealed by a challenge. Often, their motivation could be stated: If Im pushed everyone will discover that I am (You fill in the blank.)

Good Actors want directors, teachers or coaches to challenge their choices. Good directors want Actors who can be challenged and challenge themselves. These Actors, directors and casting directors know that powerful character choices, or ingredients, that resonate with an audience, sometimes lie deep within the actor.

Skillful Actors, in fact, want a director or an Acting teacher to get in their way, making them confront their choices, demanding that their choice is the most potent choice. One reason why a good actor likes being pushed is because they want to present the most affecting and personal character. This is accomplished by being pushed to an uncomfortable place where truly strong choices live.

Face it, most every actor wants to work in a major production, either on stage or in front of multiple cameras. To get there you will demand or be demanded to present the strongest, most affecting character ingredients that you can. Great directors dont settle for a safe, weak performance unless that is the character and even then, it is very potent.

You become what you practice. Practice challenging yourself, invite being challenged, and then you will grow and work. Practice avoiding any challenge and you will remain just about where you were when you started.

Good Acting workshops exist to challenge Actors to discover and develop the strongest, personal character choices they can. This may well require being pushed to a place of challenge where your real Acting talent resides.

Bill Howey is a highly respected Acting coach and author, whose latest book The Actor's Menu details how to create unforgettable characters using all of an actor's personal ingredients. Check out the book at http://www.Actorsmenu.com.

Author:: Bill Howey
Keywords:: Acting for the camera, Acting, Actors, Acting class, Acting book, Acting school, Acting workshop
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips